When someone struggles with both a mental health condition and a substance use disorder, it can feel like trying to solve two puzzles at once. Each affects the other, and treating one without addressing both often leaves people stuck in the same cycle.
That’s where dual diagnosis care comes in. At New Bridge Foundation®, we specialize in helping people heal from both challenges at the same time through compassionate, evidence-based treatment.
Defining dual diagnosis: What does it mean?
Dual diagnosis—also known as co-occurring disorders—refers to the presence of a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder occurring at the same time.
For example, a person might experience depression and use alcohol to cope, or someone with anxiety might turn to prescription drugs to feel calm. Over time, one condition can worsen the other, making both harder to manage without professional help.
This combination is more common than many realize. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), roughly half of people who experience a substance use disorder will also face a mental health condition at some point in their lives.
Dual diagnosis care focuses on treating both conditions together, not separately, so that lasting recovery becomes possible.
Most common mental health disorders in dual diagnosis cases
Mental health and substance use challenges often go hand in hand. The following are among the most common disorders linked with addiction:
- Depression: People may use alcohol or drugs to temporarily lift their mood, but these substances can deepen depressive symptoms over time.
- Anxiety disorders: Substances may offer short-term relief but often intensify anxiety when the effects wear off.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Many turn to substances as a way to escape painful memories or hyperarousal caused by trauma.
- Bipolar disorder: The extreme mood swings of bipolar disorder can make it difficult to maintain sobriety without integrated care.
- Schizophrenia: Substance use can complicate the treatment of schizophrenia and make symptoms more unpredictable.
Recognizing how these conditions interact with substance use helps ensure that treatment plans address every part of a person’s experience, not just the addiction.
How substance use and mental health conditions influence each other
Mental health and addiction often develop in a bi-directional relationship—each condition fuels the other.
Someone who feels anxious or depressed might use alcohol or drugs to ease distressing emotions, a behavior known as self-medication. Unfortunately, the temporary relief substances provide can quickly spiral into dependency, deepening both problems.
In other cases, substance use can trigger or worsen mental health symptoms. Stimulants may lead to anxiety or paranoia, while long-term alcohol use can contribute to depression. Over time, this cycle of using to cope and feeling worse afterward can make it difficult to break free without professional support.
Signs and symptoms of a dual diagnosis
Recognizing a dual diagnosis can be challenging because symptoms of mental illness and substance use often overlap. Some signs to look for include:
- Mental and emotional symptoms: Sudden mood changes, anxiety, hopelessness, or withdrawal from loved ones
- Behavioral signs: Neglecting responsibilities, losing interest in activities, or taking more risks
- Physical changes: Changes in sleep, appetite, or energy levels
If you notice these patterns in yourself or someone you care about, it’s important to seek a professional assessment. A licensed clinician can help identify whether both conditions are present and recommend the right type of treatment.
How dual diagnosis is treated: Integrated treatment approach
Effective recovery depends on treating both the mental health condition and substance use disorder at the same time. This is known as an integrated treatment approach.
At New Bridge Foundation®, dual diagnosis care combines evidence-based counseling, mental health support, and relapse prevention planning to address every aspect of recovery.
Treatment may include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to reframe negative thought patterns
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) to build emotional regulation skills
- Trauma-informed care to process and heal from past experiences
- Medication assisted treatment (MAT) to support withdrawal and symptom management
This comprehensive model helps participants understand the link between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors while building practical skills to manage both conditions long-term.
New Bridge Foundation®’s dual diagnosis treatment program
New Bridge Foundation® offers specialized dual diagnosis treatment in Berkeley, California, designed for people who are ready to address both their mental health and substance use challenges.
Through our long -term and short-term residential care and intensive outpatient programs, participants receive personalized counseling, peer support, and holistic therapies that promote emotional stability and lasting recovery.
Our team understands how interconnected these issues can be—and we’re here to guide you through each step of the process, from confidential assessments to insurance verification and beyond.
Voted one of America’s “Best Addiction Treatment Centers” by Newsweek six years in a row, New Bridge Foundation® provides trusted, compassionate care to help you or your loved one take the next step forward.
FAQ
Can you treat mental health and addiction at the same time?
Yes. In fact, treating both conditions together leads to better long-term outcomes than addressing them separately. Integrated programs like those at New Bridge Foundation® are designed for this purpose.
What is the best rehab for dual diagnosis?
The best rehab offers comprehensive care that addresses mental health and addiction simultaneously. New Bridge Foundation® provides both residential and intensive outpatient programming for dual diagnosis treatment.
What are the signs of a co-occurring disorder?
Common signs include mood swings, isolation, changes in sleep or appetite, increased substance use, and difficulty managing emotions or responsibilities.
Take the next step toward recovery
If you or someone you love may be struggling with both mental health and substance use, you’re not alone—and help is available. Call New Bridge Foundation® at 866.772.8491 today to request a confidential assessment or insurance check and start your path to recovery with support every step of the way.
