Request a Callback

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

If you’re looking for dual diagnosis treatment centres in your area, Addiction Advocates can help. We’re experts, with the best facilities. Enquire Now
Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Alexander Lapa
Updated on 08/08/2023
Medically reviewed by
Dr Alexander Lapa (Psychiatrist)

Many people suffering from drug or alcohol addiction also struggle with mental health issues. This is generally known as dual diagnosis. It is also sometimes referred to as dual disorder or co-morbidity.

Dual diagnosis is certainly not a new issue but it is only comparatively recently that the scale and complexity of the problem have started to be recognised by policymakers and healthcare practitioners.

The interplay between addiction, substance abuse and mental illness is certainly a complex one. It’s believed that substance abuse can contribute to mental health issues and, at the same time, existing mental health issues can trigger problem drinking or drug use.

It can be extremely difficult to pick apart the root causes and relationships between some of these issues. Health and social care organisation Turning Point says that The Dual Diagnosis Good Practice Guide from the Department of Health identifies four possible relationships.

These are:

  • A primary psychiatric illness precipitates or leads to substance misuse
  • The use of substances makes the mental health problem worse or alters its course
  • Intoxication and/or substance dependence leads to psychological symptoms
  • Substance misuse and/or withdrawal leads to psychiatric symptoms or illnesses

There is an ongoing debate as to whether substance misuse actually causes mental illness and other mental health issues. Areas including drug-induced psychosis and the effects of cannabis on mental health are ongoing areas of study for example, but there is more consensus on the idea that substance misuse can trigger or exacerbate mental health problems.

If you think you might be suffering from a dual diagnosis you are certainly not alone. The NHS says that between a third and a half of all people who access mental health services in the UK experience co-existing problems with drugs/alcohol and mental health at some point in their lives. If this sounds like you, you might want to consider finding dual diagnosis drug rehab treatment centres or similar services.

Get In Touch

Are you suffering from Addiction and need help? Addiction Advocates are leading UK based experts in Private Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Treatment. Find out how we can help by getting in touch with our friendly team today.

Contact Us

What is dual diagnosis treatment?

Simply put, dual diagnosis treatment aims to address both aspects of the condition, treating the addiction and the mental health condition. Treating one without the other is certainly not pointless but it will not address the whole situation.

Addiction Support

As the two different aspects tend to have a tangled relationship, a person who is only treated for the addiction part is likely to relapse and start drinking or using again if their mental health is not addressed.

Similarly, a person whose mental health is treated without addressing their addiction may well find similar mental health issues arising in the future, even if they can be dealt with in the short term in the first place.

The first thing to do is to seek an expert diagnosis. Some people have multiple mental health issues exhibiting alongside addiction problems and it can be tricky to unpick them correctly.

Alcohol is a depressant for example and even professionals without extensive experience in dual diagnosis could assume that symptoms of depression in an alcoholic patient are part and parcel of the alcoholism, rather than a separate mental illness.

On the other hand, this could well be the case and individuals need to be assessed carefully on a case by case basis.

Once a diagnosis is reached, an individualised treatment and support plan needs to be drawn up. This may involve a joint approach with an NHS mental health team, local alcohol and drug services and addiction and dual diagnosis treatment centres.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment UK

It is important to provide dual diagnosis patients with information concerning how substance misuse and mental illnesses interact and the options that might be available to them.

Existing mental health conditions can sometimes be stabilised using a medication, talking therapies or a combination of different approaches. Therapies like cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and group therapy can be useful in terms of both addiction treatment and mental health treatment, but the actual programmes will be tailored towards the individual and their own unique combination of issues.

One of the first and most important steps in dual diagnosis treatment is often some form of detox. Once a patient is clean or sober, this may provide clarity as to their other issues. A patient’s mental health may affect their ability to kick drinks or drugs successfully, however, so again a concurrent approach to both sides of the dual diagnosis may be required.

Detox, or detoxification, can be difficult enough for addicts without co-existent mental health issues. As well as cravings for the substance they will have to deal with a range of physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms. The psychological ones can be particularly difficult if there is also a pre-existing mental illness or mental health issue at play.

Treatments Include:

  • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
  • Medications
  • Personal Counselling

It is very important that experienced, professional therapists treat anybody with a dual diagnosis. A mental health issue could have contributed to an addiction or an addiction may have contributed to a mental health problem.

The therapists will need to unravel this so they provide the best treatment and improve the chances of a long term recovery, not only from addiction but from mental health issues also. If a mental health issue is not treated with a plan in place, it could be easier to fall back into a spiral of addiction.

How to find the best dual diagnosis treatment centres near me

If you’re looking for affordable dual diagnosis treatment centres in your area, Addiction Advocates can help. We’re experts in placing people with the best facilities for their individual needs, no matter how complex they might be.

We can help you get the best diagnosis from a CQC registered facility and a tailored rehab programme put in place at a convenient location.

Therapy for Addiction

Inpatient dual diagnosis treatment centres

Detox can be managed through a dual diagnosis outpatient treatment programme but it is generally safer and more likely to be successful if the patient is able to check in to a hospital or residential dual diagnosis treatment facility. This allows for 24-hour supervision and access to medical care or support.

It will also allow the patient to focus on both their addiction and mental health issues in a controlled environment with the support of trained professionals and clinicians.

As well as drug or alcohol detox, this could incorporate tailored programmes of talking therapies as mentioned above. Cognitive behavioural therapy has been shown to be particularly effective for a range of mental health conditions, as well as addiction issues.

Educational workshops in conjunction with talking therapies can help the patient to understand their issues and develop ways of coping and new ways of thinking. Alternative therapies such as meditation, mindfulness and art therapies may also be useful for some patients. Medication may also be used where appropriate.

References

  • [1] contribute to mental health issues - https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/recreational-drugs-alcohol-and-addiction/how-drugs-and-alcohol-can-affect-your-mental-health/
  • [2] The Dual Diagnosis Good Practice Guide - https://amhp.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/dualdiagnosisgoodpracticehandbook.pdf
  • [3] NHS says - http://www.awp.nhs.uk/advice-support/conditions/dual-diagnosis/
Seth Bolton

Seth is an author, addiction recovery expert and fully accredited member of the national counselling society. He has experience working with a wide range of addictions and mental illnesses using a number of evidence-based therapies and programmes such as the SMART models of addiction recovery.

What do our previous clients think?

Really enjoyed my time at Asana lodge. Staff are great and most have previous experience of the afflictions that affect all the clients, so they can relate to the situation you are in. I feel ready now to tackle the outside world with all the skills I have learnt.
Ben
Thank you to all the staff at asana lodge from management to the cleaners, everyone made me feel so welcome and really went above and beyond to help me in my recovery. highly recommend anyone seeking help with addiction depression and anxiety to go to asana lodge and heal your mind body and soul.
Thomas
Everyone at Cassiobury court have been very supportive with my recovery and I have learnt a lot over the past 14 days. I am taking away some good tools to help me with my addiction. I look forward to seeing the piers at the aftercare service.
Mr Hussain
I came to you desperate, feeling so depressed and anxious. I left feeling hopeful and grateful and excited about life. I can't believe the change in just 28 days.
S Molloy

Latest News

How Long Does LSD Last? Thumbnail

How Long Does LSD Last?

LSD, which is more commonly known as acid, is a hallucinogenic drug that has typically been on the party scene

What Does Ketamine Do To Your Brain and Body? Thumbnail

What Does Ketamine Do To Your Brain and Body?

Ketamine, which is commonly known as a party drug, has been the centre of plenty of research over the years

Are You Born Anxious? Thumbnail

Are You Born Anxious?

anxiety is something that is experienced by millions of people and can be caused by a variety of reasons, including

Can Alcohol Affect Your Eyes? Thumbnail

Can Alcohol Affect Your Eyes?

Drinking alcohol regularly has the potential to impact your life in many ways. If you develop an alcohol addiction that

How We Help

Finding the right treatment for your addiction can be difficult this is why we have created a service which takes the stress away which can be a massive relief when dealing with an addiction.
Self Referrals

Self Referrals

Suffering with an addiction and being alone can be a horrific scenario for many. Whether you have a drug or alcohol addiction, we're here to help.
Family Referrals

Family Referrals

Do you have concerns that a loved one may be affected by substance misuse? Have you spotted any signs and symptoms of a drug and alcohol…
Friend Referrals

Friend Referrals

Are you worried that a friend’s alcohol or drug consumption has become out of control? For many individuals, substance abuse starts unintentionally…

What We Offer

#

Free Assessment

This is done to assess what sort of help is needed so we can recommend an addiction treatment service that can provide the best help possible. All calls are strictly confidential and are carried out by a trained healthcare professional.…

This is done to assess what sort of help is needed so we can recommend an addiction treatment service that can provide the best help possible.

All calls are strictly confidential and are carried out by a trained healthcare professional.

No obligation recommendations are made after a full assessment of yourself or loved ones situation is fully made.

Recommendations include specialist addiction treatment programmes in CQC regulated facilities based throughout the UK.

If you are unable to afford private treatment then public healthcare and charities would also be recommended to you.

Read More
#

How We Support You

We have a large number of helpful services available to help give you the best possible support when it comes to dealing with addiction. Just some of the services we can offer includes: Free confidential telephone assessment Recommending CQC regulated…

We have a large number of helpful services available to help give you the best possible support when it comes to dealing with addiction.

Just some of the services we can offer includes:

  • Free confidential telephone assessment
  • Recommending CQC regulated residential addiction treatment providers
  • Arranging for an intervention, if needed
  • Insights into how different therapies and evidence based treatments work
  • How detoxification works and what is the most safest option
  • What type of rehab and detox programmes would be best suited for yourself or loved one
  • Recommendations of the best providers in your area
Read More
#

Why Choose Us?

We can help take the stress out of finding an addiction treatment provider by recommending only the best options available that fully suits your criteria. The help and advice we can provide includes making sure that your journey towards recovery…

We can help take the stress out of finding an addiction treatment provider by recommending only the best options available that fully suits your criteria.

The help and advice we can provide includes making sure that your journey towards recovery is one that can definitely be achieved.

Taking the step towards recovery can be incredibly tough but we are here to put your concerns at ease by giving you insights into the safety of undertaking residential addiction treatment and how it can put you on the path towards long lasting recovery from addiction.

Our team of advisors have extensive experience and knowledge about the subject of addiction and the treatment provided so if you have any questions then they will be more than happy to help.

Get started today by calling our friendly team today on 0800 012 6088.

Read More