We Specialize in Treating You, Not Just the Addiction

The 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) indicates that the presence of both mental health issues and a concurrent substance use disorder is relatively prevalent. Specifically, 9.2 million adults aged 18 and older are reported to experience co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.

Mental health issues and addiction are closely interconnected. Approximately fifty percent of individuals in the United States who seek treatment for substance use also have a co-occurring mental health disorder. The dedicated professionals at Northridge Addiction Treatment Center recognize that addressing only one of these disorders can hinder an individual’s recovery and impede their ability to overcome both conditions. NATC employs an integrated treatment approach that considers the relationship and underlying causes of both disorders, providing individuals with the necessary tools to manage their mental health without reliance on substances. Research shows that treatment programs that address both mental health and substance use disorders tend to yield higher success rates.

What Is Dual Diagnosis?

The prevalence of substance use disorders among individuals with mental health conditions is notably high. Dual diagnosis, also known as co-occurring disorder, refers to the simultaneous presence of a substance use disorder alongside another psychiatric, psychological, or behavioral disorder. This condition may also be referred to as dual disorder or comorbidity. The definition of dual diagnosis is not limited to any specific combination of mental health and substance use disorders. However, some of the most frequently encountered mental disorders associated with co-occurring disorders include anxiety disorders, mood disorders, depressive disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorders, bipolar disorders, and schizophrenia.

What Is the Cause of a Co-Occurring Disorder?

The relationship between mental health disorders and substance use disorders raises a critical question: do mental health issues lead to substance use, or do substance use disorders result in mental health symptoms? Medical professionals and researchers face challenges in identifying a clear causal link between these two types of disorders, as initial diagnoses often occur when both conditions are already evident. If substance use is responsible for mood disorder symptoms, conventional treatments may not yield effective results. Conversely, if mood disorder symptoms continue in the absence of substance use, the same treatment may prove beneficial for addressing the substance use disorder.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that merely 9.1% of adults with co-occurring disorders receive comprehensive care for both mental health and substance use issues. Despite the numerous obstacles that hinder individuals with these dual conditions from obtaining treatment, it is essential for them to engage in a robust integrated treatment plan that simultaneously addresses both addiction and mental health disorders. Integrated treatment, which involves a unified approach by the same treatment team for both disorders, has been shown to be more effective than separate treatment strategies. To explore how the integrated treatment program at Northridge Addiction Treatment Center can assist you or your loved one, please reach out to our specialists.