a person is diagnosed with a co-occurring disorder

Our Drug Addiction Treatment Program

We offer several drug rehab programs that treat a wide range of substance abuse issues, from illegal drugs to prescription medication addiction. Our mental health services also cater to co-occurring mental disorders. After being evaluated by a mental health professional, you can choose to enroll in our residential program, partial hospitalization program (PHP) or outpatient program, which all offer access to various therapies and support groups for successful addiction recovery. 

About Co-Occurring Disorders

When a person is diagnosed with a co-occurring disorder, it means they’re struggling with both a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder. Individuals may turn to alcohol or drug abuse to alleviate mental health symptoms. Although co-occurring disorders are separate mental health conditions, ideally, they’d be treated simultaneously. Many people may not realize they’re dealing with co-occurring disorders because substance abuse and mental illness can produce similar effects.

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms of co-occurring substance use disorders and mental health conditions may overlap and typically include:

  • Sudden changes in behavior
  • Social isolation
  • Loss of control over substance use
  • Needing more of the substance to achieve the same effects
  • Risky behaviors
  • Lack of personal hygiene
  • Withdrawal symptoms when trying to decrease substance use
  • Financial problems
  • Difficulty managing daily tasks
  • Lack of emotional control
  • Sense of requiring a substance to function normally
Symptoms of co-occurring substance use disorders and mental health conditions

Types of Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders

Being able to identify co-occurring mental disorders is crucial to ensure you receive appropriate treatment. Here are some of the most common co-occurring disorders people are diagnosed with alongside substance use disorder.

Physical Signs and Symptoms

Mood Disorders

Mood disorders, such as major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, affect your general emotional state and can interfere with your ability to function in daily life. Regardless of whether substance abuse or mental illness symptoms occur first, individuals with a mood disorder are at an increased risk of drug or alcohol abuse.

Personality Disorders

Personality disorders, such as borderline personality disorder or antisocial personality disorder, are characterized by unhealthy thought or behavior patterns and difficulty perceiving or relating to others. These mental illnesses are more likely to occur with drug abuse to self-medicate symptoms.

Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, can cause excessive and persistent fear or worry about everyday situations. These anxious feelings are extremely difficult to control, and some people may have multiple anxiety mental health disorders. Individuals may turn to substance abuse to alleviate intense worry or stress.

Psychotic Disorders

Psychotic disorders include schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. These mental illnesses are characterized by hallucinations and delusions. When an individual is experiencing psychosis, or loss of touch with reality, co-occurring substance use disorders can be harder to diagnose because of symptom overlap.

How Treatment Works

dual diagnosis treatment

How it works

To treat co-occurring disorders, a mental health professional must give you a dual diagnosis. Even though a substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health disorder are two separate diagnoses, treating them simultaneously typically produces the best results. After receiving a mental health diagnosis, your treatment team will develop a customized treatment plan aligning with your needs.

During dual diagnosis treatment, you’ll attend various therapies that address your substance abuse and mental health issues. The goal is to adopt healthier coping skills to replace drug or alcohol use for managing mental health symptoms. How often you attend therapy will depend on the treatment program you’re enrolled in.

Treatment Options for Co-Occurring Disorders

Inpatient treatment involves living at a residential facility full-time while receiving treatment for your mental health condition and substance use disorder. Medical professionals are available 24/7 throughout the treatment process to help with emergencies or withdrawal symptom management. Individuals are given a daily structured schedule of different therapies, support groups and recreational activities to attend.

There are varying levels of outpatient treatment, depending on how much guidance and support you need. The partial hospitalization program at Resurgence Behavioral Health meets 5 to 7 days per week for around 6 hours per day, while our intensive outpatient program meets less frequently. During outpatient rehab, you still attend therapy to help with your co-occurring disorders but with a more flexible schedule if you have work, school or other responsibilities to maintain.

Medication-assisted treatment is the use of medications prescribed by a medical professional to treat substance use disorders. It’s primarily used to treat opioid addiction or alcohol use disorder and can reduce powerful drug cravings to help you better focus on the psychological and emotional aspects of your mental illness.

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy: CBT is a form of talk therapy that can help you identify harmful thought patterns and replace them with healthier ways of thinking and behaving. It’s particularly helpful for treating anxiety, depressive disorders and eating disorders.
  • Dialectical behavior therapy: DBT is a form of psychotherapy designed to treat co-occurring disorders. It can help you address self-destructive habits and improve communication skills, coping mechanisms and self-image.
  • Rational emotive behavioral therapy: REBT is similar to CBT and can help uncover how you view the world. It helps you identify irrational thoughts or emotions and understand how they’re negatively affecting you.

Inpatient treatment provides 24-hour supervision in a safe, structured environment. According to your substance use disorder treatment plan, you’ll attend various therapies, recreational activities or group outings throughout the day. Residential treatment programs are ideal if you’re struggling with withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit and don’t have much peer support at home. 

Outpatient rehab is less intensive and offers a more flexible schedule if you have work, school or other obligations to maintain. Our PHP, or outpatient day program, meets 5 to 7 days per week for at least 6 hours each day, while our intensive outpatient program (IOP) meets less frequently but still offers several supportive services. Some people who complete an inpatient program may enroll in outpatient treatment for ongoing support. 

MAT uses medications to treat substance use disorders. It’s primarily used to treat opioid use disorder but is also effective for alcohol use disorder. Medications are prescribed by certified medical professionals to help reduce powerful drug cravings. Some people undergo MAT during detox, while others find it useful throughout the rehab process. 

Dual diagnosis refers to the presence of a substance use disorder and co-occurring mental illness. Research shows approximately 9.2 million Americans struggle with a co-occurring disorder because drugs or alcohol may be used to alleviate mental health symptoms. Dual-diagnosis treatment focuses on treating conditions simultaneously by helping you identify triggers influencing substance use and learn healthier life skills to cope with mental health symptoms. 

man Dealing with co-occurring disorders

Find Mental Health Treatment at Resurgence

Dealing with co-occurring disorders can be challenging without proper substance abuse treatment and support from mental health professionals. Resurgence Behavioral Health in Riverside, California, offers various treatment programs that can help you address your mental health disorders and overcome an alcohol or drug addiction. Call us at (855) 458-0050 or fill out our contact form to start your recovery today.

FAQs About Co-Occurring Disorders

Yes, medical detox is offered to help manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms when overcoming an alcohol or drug addiction.

Mental health and addiction treatment are considered essential services under the Affordable Care Act. You can verify your insurance to determine coverage.

Your customized treatment team consists of several medical professionals, including a psychologist, an addiction medicine specialist, an addiction counselor, a transitional counselor, registered nurses and physician assistants.