Individuals who are suffering from both drug addiction and a mental illness are termed “dual diagnosis” patients by the treatment community.   In order to find drug treatment help, these high-risk men and women must work with a facility that is able to treat both of their co-occurring conditions.   Dual diagnosis drug treatment is currently one of the fastest-growing areas in the rehab field as studies find that the condition impacts a high percentage of those suffering from addiction.

Effective Drug Rehabilitation and Mental Illness Treatment

Those facilities that effectively treat dual diagnosis patients are able to do so because they provide “integrated” care.   Integrated drug treatment occurs when there are both psychiatric professionals and addiction therapists or counselors on staff at the facility.  These professionals work in concert to provide simultaneous treatment of the individual suffering from a drug addiction and any of the following mental health issues:

• Depression
• Severe anxiety
• Borderline personality disorder
• Schizophrenia and other serious conditions

Drug Rehabilitation Treatment Complications and Mental Illness

What makes dual diagnosis treatment such a challenge?   In many cases, the symptoms of both addiction and mental illness will be quite similar.   If the care is not properly administered, it will be hard to determine the root cause of the symptoms (the addiction or say, depression or BPD for example).   Given that dual diagnosis patients are at a high-risk for suicide and relapse, the stakes are high in this specialized form of treatment.

How Many Drug Rehabilitation Programs also deal with Mental Illness?

Currently, only a small percentage of drug rehabilitation programs are equipped to treat dual diagnosis patients with specialized integrated care.   That number is rising however as the treatment community becomes more aware of just how common dual diagnoses actually are in drug addicts and alcoholics.

If you have a drug addiction and are also suffering from depression or anxiety, you may need dual diagnosis treatment.   Contact our helpline today at and speak to a professional about finding the help you need.