What is a Co-Occurring Disorder?
Co-occurring disorders are mental health conditions that coexist with a substance use disorder. People who have co-occurring disorders require dual-diagnosis treatment to address both their substance use and mental health conditions. Some examples of co-occurring disorders include depression and alcohol use disorder, anxiety and opioid use disorder, or bipolar disorder and cocaine use disorder.
People with co-occurring disorders in Los Angeles, CA may experience a wide range of symptoms that impact their daily lives. These can include impaired thinking, difficulty concentrating, changes in mood, social withdrawal, changes in behavior and appetite, fatigue or sleep disturbances. Note that co-occurring conditions do not always present as mental health issues directly—they may also be physical, such as chronic pain.
Appropriate dual-diagnosis treatment is a must for people with co-occurring disorders. Clients must refrain from any drug or alcohol use during treatment (we do not offer detox here). We will pair dual-diagnosis clients with our recovery coach and coordinate with their 12-step sponsor, where applicable to help ensure their success in this critical early recovery stage. in
Common Co-Occurring Disorder Patterns
- Depression and Alcohol Use Disorder
- Depression and Opioid Use Disorder
- Anxiety or PTSD and Alcohol Use Disorder
- Complex Trauma and Alcohol Use Disorder
- Panic Disorder and Alcohol Use Disorder
- Social Phobia and Alcohol Use Disorder
- Anxiety or PTSD and Polysubstance Abuse
- Anxiety and Benzodiazepine Use Disorder
What is Dual-Diagnosis Treatment?
Dual diagnosis treatment is a form of mental health care that addresses mental health disorders and substance use disorders at the same time. Substance use disorders (SUDs) alone are a very challenging condition to live with. When an SUD is combined with a co-occurring condition like major depression, PTSD or generalized anxiety disorder, there is a compounding effect.
This is one reason why authentic dual-diagnosis treatment is so important for people with co-occurring disorders. Enduring recovery is only possible if these co-occurring conditions are carefully diagnosed and treated in combination with any substance use disorder. At least 45% of people who enter treatment for addiction have a dual diagnosis, per the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). But, this does not mean they are all receiving the treatment they need to succeed and thrive in recovery.
Some of the conditions we treat which co-occur with addiction include:
- Major Depression
- Bipolar Disorders
- Emotional Dysregulation
- Borderline Personality
- Cyclothymic Disorder
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Clinical research has shown definitive links between trauma and addiction. Most dual-diagnosis treatment centers are just beginning to understand and address these connections. At Reconnect, we arrived at this conclusion a long time ago. We have been offering trauma treatment to help address the causes of many conditions since the day we opened our doors. We are trauma treatment experts and we have an intuitive understanding of the mechanics of co-occurring disorders.
Treatment for addiction with co-occurring disorders at Reconnect programs is much more comprehensive and far-reaching than anything you will find at a conventional drug and alcohol treatment center. Even drug rehabs which claim to offer dual-diagnosis treatment frequently fall short of the mark.
The emphasis at most of these programs is almost entirely on the substance use disorder. The co-occurring mental health condition gets short shrift. Perhaps a hasty diagnosis by an on call psychiatrist and one individual counseling session per week. There is rarely any careful and precise diagnosis. Much less any deeper therapeutic work focused on specific conditions.
Effective and thorough treatment for co-occurring conditions includes thorough careful diagnosis by a qualified clinician early in the treatment process. This is only the beginning, it isn’t sufficient to simply identify a condition and label it. At Reconnect, we treat whole people, not just a set of symptoms. We treat the root causes of conditions, which often means an intense focus on trauma. Reconnect clients are carefully assessed throughout their treatment stay with us. We thoughtfully observe how they respond to different forms of treatment. We look for signs of any additional conditions or elements of the original diagnosis which weren’t apparent at first glance.
At Reconnect we:
- Listen to what you say about how you feel.
- Empathize with you and connect with you on an emotional level.
- Observe the effectiveness of treatment throughout your stay.
- Re-evaluate, continually looking for any symptoms that may have been missed.
- Empower you to manage your conditions and continue your growth after treatment.
The Reconnect Recovery Difference
Reconnect programs are different. Here you will find co-occurring disorder treatment that is evidence-based and practical, but always delivered with warmth and compassion. The dedicated mental health professionals at Reconnect are invested in the long-term recovery of every person in our care.
The mission here is to not only provide relief during treatment, but to give people the knowledge, understanding and tools they need to continue to grow and progress after treatment. Under the leadership of renowned trauma specialist, Dr. Karol Darsa Psy.D. we provide intensive, transformational treatment for co-occurring disorders that is unlike any you will find in a conventional drug rehab.
Healing Begins When You Reconnect
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with any of these conditions, or shows symptoms, the team at Reconnect wants to help. No one deserves to live with an untreated or undertreated mental health disorder. Treatment for anxiety disorders is more effective today than ever before. The help you and your loved ones deserve is just a phone call away.
Contact us at: (310) 713-6739