Mental Illness Awareness Week from Oct. 6 to 12 is a vital reminder of the far-reaching consequences associated with untreated mental illness. Addiction is one of the most overlooked and dangerous outcomes of using drugs or alcohol to self-medicate psychological pain.
At Global Medical Detox, we regularly work with clients who struggle with a dual diagnosis, a clinical term that describes an overlapping mental health condition and substance use disorder. Understanding how these conditions interact and receiving simultaneous attention for them can be a lifesaving turning point for those caught in this potentially deadly cycle.
What Is a Dual Diagnosis?
A dual diagnosis, also known as co-occurring disorder, is the official term for concurrent mental and behavioral health disorders. Mental illness can increase the likelihood of substance use, and prolonged substance use can worsen or trigger underlying psychiatric symptoms over time.
For example:
- You may misuse benzodiazepines or alcohol to calm your nerves if you have anxiety.
- Stimulants can make you feel more energized or engaged if you have depression.
- A history of trauma may drive you into using opioids or other depressants to escape intrusive memories or emotional pain.
How Common Are Co-Occurring Disorders?
Dual diagnoses are more common than many people realize. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, over 20 million American adults have a co-occurring disorder. Despite this high number, only a small percentage receive treatment for their related conditions.
The consequences of ignoring a dual diagnosis can be severe. Without professional intervention, you may experience worsening mental health symptoms, higher risk of overdose, impaired relationships, and difficulty functioning in daily life.
The Importance of Integrated Care
One challenge of dual-diagnosis treatment is the tendency to have a narrow focus – addressing either the mental illness or the addiction in isolation. This approach is rarely effective. Because mental health symptoms and substance use feed into each other, simultaneous treatment is essential for lasting recovery.
Global Medical Detox’s hospital-based program provides safe, medically supervised detox in a setting equipped to manage the complexities that arise with co-occurring disorders. Many patients enter detox with active or undiagnosed mental health conditions. Our clinical team will carefully assess your emotional and physical needs, safely managing uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms while addressing the underlying causes of substance use.
Dual-Diagnosis Counseling for a Safer Start to Recovery
As part of our withdrawal management program, Global Medical Detox offers specialized counseling services to help you start unpacking the issues that contribute to your substance use. Our counselors will work closely with you to uncover your emotional triggers, identify patterns of use, and build a relapse prevention program you can rely on once you leave our program. This therapeutic foundation is critical if you live with a dual diagnosis, paving the way for a seamless transition into residential or outpatient care focused on long-term recovery and mental health stabilization.
Our team is here to provide the medical care, emotional support, and clinical insight you need to deal with the overlapping challenges of mental health struggles and addiction. Contact us today to learn more about our hospital-based detox program.