According to the American Journal of Psychiatry, around 7.7 million adults in the US suffer from a substance abuse disorder (SUD) and a co-occurring mental health disorder, highlighting the visible intersection of addiction and mental illness [1].
If you or a loved one struggles with a co-occurring disorder and is stuck in a cycle of destructive or unhealthy behaviors, you may have asked yourself before, “Is this because of mental health? Or addiction?” The answer is often both.
Dual diagnosis treatment centers address both addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders with integrated therapies to both stop substance abuse and treat the underlying mental health condition.
Integrated dual diagnosis treatment is considered the #1 best practice for co-occurring disorders by SAMHSA [2].
Defining Dual Diagnosis
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, “dual diagnosis (also referred to as a co-occurring disorder) is a term used when someone experiences a mental illness and a substance use disorder simultaneously. Therefore, ‘dual diagnosis’ itself is not a diagnosis, but rather a specific combination of diagnoses.”
Mental health conditions and addiction do not always directly cause one another, however, those with mental health disorders are more susceptible to addiction, often due to a desire to self-medicate symptoms. For example, individuals with a mental illness consume roughly 38% of all alcohol, 44% of all cocaine, and over half of all opioid prescriptions in the US [3].
What Are Co-Occurring Disorders?
Co-occurring disorders are when a mental health disorder presents simultaneously with a substance abuse disorder. Or a substance abuse disorder that presents in someone with a mental health disorder. One does not have to come before the other, and co-occurring disorders are not a rarity or exception. Of the 21 million people in the US diagnosed with a substance use disorder, 8 million also struggle with mental illness [4].
Why is Dual Diagnosis Treatment Different?
Typical substance abuse treatment programs often focus only on the SUD, such as with detox, counseling, and relapse prevention strategies aimed at stopping or reducing drug or alcohol use. They often don’t provide treatment tailored to the individual mental health needs of patients and may not address the full spectrum of psychological, social, and biological factors.
Treatment tends to be ineffective, and relapse rates are high when the co-occurring mental health disorder is not addressed. Dual diagnosis is integrative and often consists of:
- Comprehensive mental health and SUD assessments are conducted to understand the full history of both disorders and any contributing factors.
- Holistic treatment to address the whole person, not just symptoms, through a combination of therapies, peer support, medication management, and wellness activities.
- Integrated approaches that combine SUD counseling, detox, relapse prevention strategies, and sometimes medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with standard mental health therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and trauma-informed Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
- Medication management and psychiatric care to prescribe medication, monitor progress, and make adjustments for both disorders. For example, someone with opioid use disorder and co-occurring depression may be prescribed medications to manage opioid withdrawal and cravings, such as methadone, while also receiving antidepressant medications to stabilize their symptoms of depression.
Common Co-Occurring Disorders
Not every person who struggles with a mental health challenge abuses drugs or alcohol, but here are some of the most common co-occurring conditions according to SAMHSA and the Journal of Affective Disorders [3].
| Mental Health Disorder | Rate of Comorbidity |
| Depression | 20.8% |
| Anxiety | 24% |
| Trauma & PTSD | 70% to 90% who suffer from addiction have experienced trauma |
| Bipolar Disorder | 47.3% (60% for bipolar I disorder) |
| Personality Disorders | 44% |
What to Expect from Dual Diagnosis Treatment at Trinity Wellness
Individual and Group Therapy
CBT, DBT, and EMDR help you reframe thoughts and emotions that contribute to addiction, process trauma, and relieve emotional distress. Group therapy fosters a space for emotional safety, accountability, and connection.
DBT Skills Training
Programs integrate DBT skills such as mindfulness, emotional regulation, strengthening interpersonal relationships, and distress tolerance to help you develop the coping skills needed to manage adversity.
Medication Management
Our licensed psychiatric provider can prescribe and administer medication if necessary to manage both substance abuse disorders (SUD) and mental health disorders.
Flexible Treatment Schedules
Half-day and full-day treatment with morning and evening schedules allow you to receive care while living at home and continuing work.
Trauma-Informed Staff
Our team is guided by principles of trauma-informed care, including safety, trust, collaboration, and transparency in all of our processes to ensure your recovery experience is safe and effective.
Aftercare and Relapse Prevention Planning
Case management, skill-building workshops, medication-assisted treatment, peer support, and an active alumni community all play a significant role at TWG in helping individuals strengthen their resilience, independence and stay connected to a recovery community long after leaving treatment.
Begin Healing With Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Massachusetts
Recovery is not just about stopping substance use—it’s about creating a meaningful, sober life filled with purpose and strength. At Trinity Wellness Group, you’re never alone on your journey. Our multidisciplinary experts work closely with you and your loved ones to ensure continuous care tailored to your unique needs.
Guided by the principles of integrity and authenticity, we are committed to delivering clinically excellent care and the transformative power of lived experience. Contact us today to find support and begin treatment.
Sources
[1] Dundon, D. et al. (2013). Current status of co-occurring mood and substance use disorders: a new therapeutic target. The American journal of psychiatry, 170(1), 23–30.
[2] Bagin, C. et al. 2009. Integrated Treatment for Co-Occurring Disorders. SAMHSA.
[3] National Institute of Drug Abuse. 2020. Common Comorbidities with Substance Use Disorders Research Report.
[4] Greenstein, L. 2019. Understanding Dual Diagnosis. NAMI
