Research shows that roughly half of people living with a mental health disorder will also develop a substance use problem at some point during their lives. When a person is suffering from both a substance use disorder (SUD) and mental health condition, it’s referred to as “co-occurring disorders” or a “dual diagnosis.”
Dual diagnosis is not always easy to detect. Because it’s such a broad category, the symptoms of dual diagnosis can vary significantly from case to case. People struggling with depression and alcohol addiction, for example, will experience vastly different symptoms than someone battling anxiety and prescription drug abuse. However, there are some commonalities in people who struggle with co-occurring disorders, and symptoms to watch for if you are concerned about the possibility of dual diagnosis.
Below we explore the tell-tale signs of dual diagnosis, as well as explain how to identify if you (or your loved one) are struggling with multiple conditions.
Spotting the Signs of Dual Diagnosis
If you believe that you or your loved one is suffering from co-occurring disorders, it is crucial to know how to recognize the warning signs. While the symptoms of dual diagnosis are usually unique to each person and circumstance, our dual diagnosis treatment professionals recommend asking yourself the following questions.
Can you remember the last time you felt fully satisfied with life, without the assistance of drugs or alcohol?
Think back to before the drug abuse, before the drinking spun out of control, and try to evaluate how you felt at that point in your life. Was there anything challenging you, hurting you? Did you feel sad, angry, or tense? Have you ever had suicidal thoughts or experienced extreme mood swings? If you can’t think of a recent time in your life where you were happy without drugs or alcohol, this may indicate an underlying mental health disorder. Often, individuals will “self-medicate,” and use drugs as coping mechanisms for much deeper pains. In time, however, these drugs can leave a user feeling worse than before, leaving a user dependent on them to function.
Did you start using drugs or drinking alcohol in hopes of overcoming feelings of stress, fear, and anxiety?
Similarly to the previous exercise, try to think of the root of your substance use problem. Did you start using drugs so that you didn’t have to deal with difficult situations on your own? Can you comfortably attend a social gathering without drinking alcohol? Many people begin drug use to put themselves at ease, another self-coping mechanism. This case may indicate a deep-rooted mental health disorder that will call for dual diagnosis treatment.
Have you experienced trauma in the past?
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a history of trauma can often render the onset of co-occurring disorders. Trauma may include a history of physical or sexual abuse, witnessing a death or tragedy, or experiencing war or a disastrous event. One is especially vulnerable to a co-occurring mental health disorder when the trauma occurred in childhood or the early teenage years. This is because traumatic experiences alter brain chemistry, and further force individuals to experience everyday stress as a result.
Do you have a family history of mental illnesses?
If any relative of yours has experienced the symptoms of mental illness, or has formally been diagnosed with depression, bi-polar disorder, anxiety, or addiction, you innately have a higher risk of developing a mental health problem. Mental illnesses often have genetic components. Therefore, all history of mental health disorders within the family should be taken into consideration, in addition to their specific diagnoses, treatments, and histories of hospitalization.
If any of the above points feel relevant to you or your loved one, take a closer look at the specific signs and symptoms of dual diagnosis below. But remember: These can vary person to person, and are not always obvious. Especially in young people (such as teens and young adults), hormonal fluctuations can mimic the symptoms of mental health and substance abuse problems. Therefore, if you have any suspicion that struggles are happening, be sure to talk to a professional. (More on that shortly.)
Common Symptoms of Dual Diagnosis
While the signs and symptoms vary depending on the specific diagnoses, there are commonalities to watch for (in yourself or loved one). First and foremost, the biggest tell-tale sign will be the misuse of drugs and/or alcohol. This indicates a substance use disorder. If you do not have evidence of substance abuse directly, you can also look for other signs of substance addiction, such as:
- Behavioral symptoms, including isolation from friends and family, excessive mood swings, recent lack of motivation, decline in academic or job performance, and hostile, avoidance, or generally uncommunicative behavior
- Physical symptoms of drug abuse, including bloodshot eyes, lack of coordination, changes in sleeping patterns, slurred speech, shaking, sweatiness, seizures, and physical withdrawal from substances when they are not in use
If the signs of substance abuse are paired with the symptoms of mental health disorders, dual diagnosis is likely the cause. Below are some of the most common indicators of co-occurring mental health conditions, alongside drug and alcohol use:
- Withdrawal from friends, family, and those who offer support
- Avoidance of social activities or hobbies they once enjoyed
- Appetite or weight changes
- Changes in sleep patterns (insomnia or excessive sleep)
- Lack of personal hygiene
- Angry, violent, or reckless behavior
- Erratic or manic behavior
- Stark shifts in moods or energy levels
- Dramatic changes in personality
- Severe tension or worry
- Inability to concentrate
- Experiences delusions, hallucinations, or paranoia
- Panic attacks
- Suicidal thoughts or signs of self-harm and self-hate
- Intense or prolonged feelings of despair, hopelessness, and worthlessness
- Internal anxiety that can only be relieved by certain behaviors or rituals
- Difficulty holding a job or upholding priorities such as work and school
- Difficulty managing other aspects of daily life
- Trouble maintaining relationships because of behavior or mood swings
- Uses drugs and alcohol as coping mechanisms for any of the above
- Increasing use of drugs or alcohol, either in amounts or frequency, to feel their effects
- Experiencing physical pain, such as headaches and nausea, when not using a substance
Treating the Symptoms of Dual Diagnosis
Treating dual diagnosis, or co-occurring disorders, requires very specialized and integrated care. You cannot receive treatment for your addiction and ignore the mental health symptoms. Similarly, you cannot receive treatment for your mental health struggles, only to keep misusing drugs and alcohol. Doing so will result in unresolved and worsening symptoms, disrupting your possibility for recovery.
As explained by national sources, “If one of the co-occurring disorders goes untreated, both usually get worse and additional complications often arise. The combination of disorders can result in poor response to traditional treatments and increases the risk for other serious medical problems.”
Perhaps it’s this type of situation that’s even led you here. Many people receive treatment for depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues, but continue to use drugs and alcohol. Some people attend a stint in drug rehab, without treating their mental health conditions, and eventually relapse. If you have completed a drug rehab program before, but could not sustain sobriety, it’s possible that a co-occurring mental disorder was left unaddressed. This does not mean that your case is hopeless—dual diagnosis is highly treatable when properly addressed.
To be effective, co-occurring disorders must be treated simultaneously, at the same time and place. But again, they are not always easy to identify. Research shows that only 7.4 percent of the nine million individuals battling dual diagnosis ever receive the appropriate, integrated treatment they need.
If you or a loved one is battling co-occurring disorders, or showing any signs of dual diagnosis, it is important to seek out professional help.
Integrated dual diagnosis treatment is carefully designed to treat mental health and substance use disorders simultaneously, and meet the individual needs of all patients struggling with dual diagnosis. At Turnbridge, our integrated approach allows us to customize a treatment plan for each individual client that walks into our doors. Treatment plans are developed based on the specific mental health condition(s) they suffer from, the severity of their substance problem, as well as their age/gender, history of trauma, family issues, legal troubles, and more.
We encourage you to reach out for support. Give us a call at 877-581-1793 to take that next step.
Alternatively, if you suspect any symptoms of dual diagnosis, you may also bring these concerns up with a family or primary care provider. Your physician will be able to complete a mental health screening for you or your loved one, and refer you to a proper treatment program based on your needs. This is a great option for parents who have spotted signs of dual diagnosis in their teen, but do not know where to go for help or confirmation.
Turnbridge Dual Diagnosis Treatment Programs
Turnbridge is a mental health and substance abuse treatment provider, located in Connecticut but recognized throughout the country. Our treatment programs are specially geared towards the needs of young adults and teenagers struggling with co-occurring disorders.
To ensure that you receive the proper dual diagnosis treatment, or to get advice on any concerns, do not hesitate to call us at 877-581-1793. We can educate you further about treating co-occurring disorders, our integrated treatment plans, and determine if dual diagnosis treatment is a good next step for you.