What Is Dual Diagnosis?
Dual diagnosis refers to people who suffer from a mental health disorder as well as a substance abuse disorder. The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reports that 29% of people diagnosed with mental illness also suffer from drug or alcohol abuse. Studies show that people suffering from both types of behavioral health problems achieve the highest success rates when both disorders are treated simultaneously.
Unfortunately, many mental health programs don’t offer effective integrated treatment for dual diagnosis. The Mental Health Center at Destination Hope is one of a few mental health programs in the United States with a qualified staff with specific experience in
treating dual diagnosis.
The causes of mental health disorders like depression and anxiety can be very similar to the reasons a person may begin abusing drugs and alcohol. Substance abuse and mental illness can feed off each other, making it critical for an individual with dual diagnosis to seek a professional treatment program that specifically treats dual diagnosis.
Our Specialized Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center
We offer our clients a high level of care that is compassionate, supportive and focused on their overall health and recovery. Going through both treatment programs at once may seem counterintuitive, but the research is clear – when it comes to dual diagnosis, success is much easier to attain when both aspects are treated at the same time.
Dual diagnosis treatment includes therapy for addiction and substance abuse as well as the co-occurring psychological disorder. Clinicians from both our substance abuse and mental health programs provide integrated dual diagnosis treatment, working together to develop a unified and coordinated treatment plan that’s personalized to your loved one’s needs.
Common Dual Diagnoses
Our specialized program allows for protocols and treatments that address the underlying cause and effect of the substance abuse and mental health disorder. The most common dual diagnoses we see are:
- Substance abuse
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Eating Disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
