Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Finding the ideal dual diagnosis resource is not always an easy task. A primary issue in treatment is the fact that many clients received either treatment for their addiction issues or treatment for their mental health disorder(s), but not treatment for both of the co-occurring disorders. MedLine Plus, a publication provided by the National Institutes of Health, explains that “Someone with a dual diagnosis must treat both conditions.” Treating both the co-occurring mental health and addiction disorders provides optimal chances of achieving and maintaining sobriety while also addressing the mental health symptoms.

Treatment providers often implement a variety of different types of treatment that may include detox services, behavioral therapies, support groups, medication, individual counseling and meetings in a 12-step or non-12 step program environment.

Finding the ideal resource for specific issues or treatment needs does not have to result in an exhaustive search by professionals, potential clients.  teens, parents or other loved ones. Consider these dual diagnosis resources to quickly find exactly the fype of resource you need.

Detox Services

While many professionals and individuals in need of treatment likely consider detox only a short term method of ridding the body of alcohol or other drugs, the fact is that detox is often necessary just to stabilize an individual so that the person can enter into a treatment program. Detox is not treatment and rarely results in abstinence. Individuals with dual diagnosis disorders sometimes complete detox before participating in treatment for their substance abuse and mental health disorders.

While some treatment facilities also provide detox services, many do not. An individual sometimes completes detox at a separate facility.

State and County Detox Services

While these only represent a few locations, each state and most counties have detox facilities. To locate one near where you live, you can contact your local or state government page. Below are example state and county detox resources to help guide you.

1. Palm Beach (Florida) Outpatient Detox

2. California Detox Services

3. San Luis Obispo County Detox resources

4. Minnesota Recovery Connection

Dual Diagnosis Resources for Potential Clients

It does not matter if you entered into a substance abuse, mental health or dual diagnosis program in the past. Perhaps you left before you completed the treatment program. Perhaps you did successfully complete treatment but relapsed. Whatever your individual story or circumstances, there are resources to help you learn more about dual diagnosis, often referred to as “co-occurring disorders” and resources to help you find treatment.

6. Mental Health America

7. HelpGuide

8. Help Guide – Choosing a Drug Treatment Program

9. Help Guide – Substance Abuse and Mental Health

10. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Directory

of Single State Agencies for Substance Abuse Services

11. Breining Institute – Online Continueing Education: Understanding Addiction

12. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) – Special Populations

& Co-Occurring Disorders

13. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) – Drug Facts: Comorbidity: Addiction and

Other Mental Disorders

14. SAMHSA – Co-occurring Disorders

15. SAMHSA – SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 24 hour, free information and referral line with services in both English and Spanish

16. Psychology Today – Co-Occurring Disorders

 Dual Diagnosis Resources for Treatment Professionals

Although treatment professionals receive training in dual diagnosis disorders, gaining knowledge in the field of co-occurring disorders is an ongoing learning process. Multiple resources exist to guide treatment professionals in gaining further expertise in treating dual diagnosis disorders and for creating and implementing the right treatment plan, as well as locating ideal treatment resources.

17.  National Institute of Mental Health

18.  IRETA – Institute for Research, Education & Training in Addictions

19.  National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) – Professional
Education Materials

20.  APA – Comorbid Drug Abuse and Mental Illness 

21.  PsychCentral – Mental Health & Psychology Resources Online

22.  Dual Diagnosis Website, Mental Illness, Drug Addiction and Alcoholism

23.  NIDA – Drug Facts: Comorbidity: Addiction and Other Mental Disorders

24.  NADD – Information on Dual Diagnosis

25.  American Addiction Centers – Co-Occurring Disorders Treatment Guide

26.  NIDA – Addiction and Co-Occurring  Mental Disorders

27.  IRETA – Evidence-Based Practices 

Dual Diagnosis Resources for Teens

Parents, educators, treatment providers and teens themselves can find the resources needed to get help for teens suffering from dual diagnosis disorders. Comprehensive treatment is available. Just as when assessing adults, every mental health treatment facility should assess teens for substance abuse disorders and every substance abuse facility should also assess teens for mental health disorders.

28.  NIDA for Teens

29.  NIDA for Teens – Teachers – Drugs & Health Teaching Guide

30.  NIAAA – Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention for Youth: A Practitioner’s
Guide

Dual Diagnosis Resources for Veterans

Veterans and current members of the U.S. Military sometimes suffer from dual diagnosis disorders. Resources are available for members of the U.S. Military and U.S. Military Veterans in need of dual diagnosis services including services for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

31.  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs – Vet Center Program

32.  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs – PTSD: National Center for PTSD

33.  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs – Substance Use  

34.  National Center for PTSD – Continuing Education – Managing PTSD and 
Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorders

Dual Diagnosis Resources for Families

When a loved one suffers from a dual diagnosis disorder, it affects more than that individual. Families suffer too. While some family members accompany their loved one to meetings, that is likely not enough. Consider these resources for family members of individuals suffering from dual diagnosis disorders.

36.  NIDA for Teens – Parents

37.  NIDA for Teens – Parents – Order Free Materials

38.  SAMHSA – Family Therapy Can Help: For People in Recovery From Mental Health
Or Addiction

39.  NIDA – What to Do if Your Adult Friend or Loved One Has a Problem with Drugs

40.  Mental Health America – Co-Occurring Disorders