What is Dual Diagnosis?

Dual diagnosis, also known as co-occurring disorder, recognizes the unique issues that occur when someone experiences a mental illness and a substance abuse disorder simultaneously. Either one can occur first, and one often lends itself to the other. For example, someone may experience depression alongside alcohol use disorder, or PTSD co-occurring with opioid misuse.

Dual diagnosis is identified through a comprehensive assessment process conducted by a trained clinician. This may include:

• Standardized screening tools, such as AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test)
• Structured diagnostic interviews
• Psychological testing for underlying conditions
• Medical evaluation to assess physical health

Because the symptoms of substance use and mental illness can often overlap, an accurate diagnosis requires thorough and careful evaluation over time, especially in the early stages of recovery.

Why Dual Diagnosis Treatment is Recommended

When mental health issues are pitted as a root cause of addiction and not treated in a dual diagnosis program, individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, PTSD, or bipolar disorder can feel trapped by their mental health issue. Treatment that only addresses substance abuse simply provides a band-aid for the underlying issues. The deeper mental health issues must also be addressed.

“With a substance abuse disorder, it’s imperative to treat the co-occurring disorder simultaneously, because they are happening simultaneously,” says Grant. “The disorders also overlap so much that you could be missing an element into a patient’s addiction if you did not also treat their co-occurring diagnosis.”