Co-Occurring Disorders

“Take your time healing, as long as you want. Nobody else knows what you’ve been through. How could they know how long it will take to heal you?”

— Abertoli

What is a Co-Occurring, or Dual-Diagnosis, Disorder?

Dual Diagnosis is the condition of suffering from a mental illness and a comorbid substance-use disorder (the repeated misuse of alcohol and/or drugs). These conditions often occur together in order to cope with symptoms. About half of people who have a mental disorder also will have a substance-use challenge at some point in their lives, and vice versa.

Symptoms of Dual Diagnosis:

Symptoms may vary due to differing combinations of Dual Diagnosis, but some common symptoms include:

  • Withdrawal from family and/or friends

  • Engaging in risky behaviors

  • Sudden changes in behaviors

  • Developing a high tolerance and withdrawal symptoms

  • Needing a substance to make you feel as if you’re able to function

Learn how to cope, to break maladaptive patterns of thinking, and to increase a healthy and enjoyable life through a safe and healthy therapeutic relationship.

Treatments for Dual Diagnosis:

Best-practice treatment for a Dual Diagnosis is an intervention that treats both the mental illness and the substance use. Treatments may include detoxification, inpatient rehabilitation, medications, supportive housing, support groups, and/or psychotherapy. At New World Psychology, we offer compassionate and educated assistance via psychotherapy with highly-trained and empathetic clinicians who are up to date on the most-effective treatment styles.

Clinicians with this specialty:

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