Understanding Co-Occurring Disorders

For millions of people struggling with substance addiction, an ongoing conflict is happening simultaneously with their mental health. In fact, research suggests that around half of all people with a mental health illness will also develop a substance addiction, and vice versa.

This relationship, known as dual diagnosis, highlights the importance of integrated treatment that supports both the body and mind. Understanding the way the two interact may be the most important step towards lasting and complete recovery.

What is a dual diagnosis?

Dual diagnosis describes the presence of both a substance use disorder (SUD) and a mental health condition at the same time. In clinical settings, it’s often used interchangeably with the term co-occurring disorder. The concept recognises that these conditions are deeply intertwined, one can easily influence, mask, or worsen the other.

Addiction itself is classed as a mental health disorder, so dual diagnosis usually means that a person is facing addiction alongside another psychological issue, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or PTSD. You may also hear the term comorbidity, which highlights how these conditions often develop together and feed into one another.

As an example, some people may turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to cope with distressing emotions or trauma. Others may find that long-term substance use triggers or intensifies existing mental health struggles. Without addressing both issues together, recovery can feel like treating only one half of an evolving problem.

Receiving comprehensive dual diagnosis treatment means that both mind and body are healed simultaneously, giving you the best possible chance of reaching lasting recovery.

Why is dual diagnosis difficult to identify and treat?

Dual diagnosis is often described as something akin to a two-way mirror. What appears to be one condition may, in fact, be the reflection of another. In many people, substance use begins as an attempt to soothe mental distress, yet continued use can both create new problems or worsen pre-existing ones.

We can observe how analysing dual diagnosis becomes difficult by looking at the overlap in both directions. Research indicates that between 20% and 36% of people treated for a mental-health condition also suffer from a substance use disorder. When the analysis is flipped, research shows a much higher number, with the NHS Addictions Provider Alliance estimating that over 80% of people in the UK entering treatment for alcohol misuse reported a co-existing mental health problem.

The question of which disorder comes first, or which is currently exerting the most control, is a highly elusive and complex one.

Symptoms frequently mirror one another. One condition can mask signs of the other. Symptoms like anxiety, fatigue, insomnia and mood swings are common to both, so inadequate treatment may only be addressing part of the problem.

For many people, recovery requires recognition and treatment of both simultaneously, not in isolation.

What are the most commonly linked mental-health problems?

Common mental health conditions linked with addiction

While addiction can affect anyone, certain mental health conditions are more frequently seen alongside substance use. The link between them cannot be coincidental. Drivers like emotional distress, chemical imbalances and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) often make people more vulnerable to using drugs or alcohol as a form of self-soothing. Over time, this relief becomes dependency.

Among the most common co-occurring mental health conditions are:

• Depression: Persistent sadness or emptiness can make substance use seem like an escape from emotional pain.
• Anxiety disorders: Substances such as alcohol or benzodiazepines may feel like a relief from overwhelming anxiety.
• PTSD and trauma-related disorders: Drugs or alcohol are frequently used to numb painful memories.
• Bipolar disorder: Periods of mania and depression can lead to impulsive or risky use of substances that worsen mood instability.
• Personality disorders: Difficulties with self-image, emotional regulation and relationships can make a person more susceptible to addiction as a coping mechanism.

Substances frequently found in dual diagnosis

While any drug can be part of a person’s co-occurring disorder, some appear more often than others. Alcohol naturally appears frequently, as it is so easy to obtain and is more socially accepted. Some other commonly linked substances in dual diagnosis care include:

• Marijuana: may lead to increased anxiety over time, sometimes linked to psychosis for those with a predisposition to schizophrenia.
• Opioids: commonly seen in those with PTSD and chronic pain, as opioids may give short-lived relief from physical and emotional discomfort.
• Cocaine: often linked with those suffering from ADHD and other mood disorders.
• Methamphetamine: often used by those battling psychotic disorders and severe depression.

Recognising which substances are frequently linked and the way conditions can overlap may help you get the right treatment. Addiction specialists recognsie that in dual diagnosis, treatment demands more than physical abstinence from a drug. It requires treating deeper wounds in the mind with therapy.

How are dual diagnosis conditions treated?

Treating dual diagnosis requires an integrated approach that addresses both mental health and addiction at the same time. Traditional treatment that targets only substance use or only psychological symptoms tends to leave the other issue unresolved, increasing the likelihood of relapse.

At a dedicated rehab facility, dual diagnosis treatment is tailored to the individual and may include:

• Medical detox: The first step of medical detox is needed to manage withdrawal symptoms after stopping a substance. Stabilised physical health is needed before therapies can begin.
• Therapeutic intervention: Many dual diagnosis treatment providers use evidence-based therapies like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). These help a person get to the underlying drivers of addiction and support the development of healthier coping mechanisms.
• Medically-assisted treatment: In some treatment cases, prescribed medications can be used to support mental health conditions. This will be under the guidance of your GP or healthcare provider.
• Holistic support: Many dual diagnosis programmes integrate holistic care that supports the development of new, meaningful activities. This can range from meditation, mindfulness, equestrian and art therapy, or exercise programmes.
• Aftercare and relapse prevention: After rehab, ongoing therapy and support groups are crucial for maintaining your progress. Though on-site treatment has ended, treatment may still be needed to manage relapse urges and overwhelming triggers.

When trained professionals treat both conditions in an interconnected process, you can start to restore balance and set the foundation for long-term and complete recovery.

Where can I find dual diagnosis support?

If you or someone close to you is living with both addiction and a mental health condition, you don’t have to face it alone. Reaching out for professional support can help you understand the connection between both struggles and begin to heal them together.

At Oasis Runcorn, we provide fully integrated dual diagnosis treatment. We combine medical detox, evidence-based therapy and holistic care that heals the whole person. Our team is here to help uncover the roots of addiction while supporting your mental well-being as you begin your journey.

If you’re ready to take that first step, reach out to Oasis Runcorn today. Lasting recovery starts with treating the whole person, in mind, body and spirit.