Co-occurring disorders or dual diagnosis is more common than people generally assume. According to a report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), nearly 17.5 million Americans over the age of 18 have had serious mental health disorder in the past year, of which about 4 million people also struggled with a co-occurring drug or alcohol dependency.

1. Dual Diagnosis - Some Pertinent Information
Co-occurring disorders or dual diagnosis is more common than people generally assume. According to a
report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), nearly 17.5 million
Americans over the age of 18 have had serious mental health disorder in the past year, of which about 4
million people also struggled with a co-occurring drug or alcohol dependency.
It has been observed that the number of patients in drug rehabs seeking simultaneous help for addiction
issues and a co-occurring mental condition has gone up from 12 percent to 16 percent in a span of six
years. Here, we list some pertinent facts about dual diagnosis that would help patients understand the
condition better and initiate necessary steps while seeking treatment:
What is dual
diagnosis?
Dual diagnosis is a
situation when a
person is diagnosed
with both a substance
use disorder, such as
alcohol use disorder,
along with a mental
health condition, such
as depression, bipolar
disorder, anxiety, etc.
The co-occurring
complications make
the diagnosis and
treatment difficult for
dual diagnosis
patients.
Dual diagnosis is common
More than one-fourth of mental illness patients also suffer from a substance use problem. A majority of
mental patients suffering from illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder also have a substance
abuse problem. The lifetime prevalence of dual diagnosis in schizophrenia patients is 47 percent, while it
is 56 percent for those suffering from bipolar disorder.
Some mental conditions more prevalent in dual diagnosis patients
Of all the mental conditions, there are some specific ones that are more common in dual diagnosis.
Patients suffering from depression, anxiety disorder, personality disorder, schizophrenia, post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD) and eating disorders are more likely to have a substance abuse disorder also. In
fact, people with schizophrenia and antisocial personality disorder have the highest rates of comorbidity
with substance abuse. For example, schizophrenia patients have a higher propensity to use stimulants

2. such as nicotine, amphetamines, cocaine, and marijuana. Similarly, there is a higher prevalence of alcohol
abuse among patients suffering from depression and anxiety.
Difficult to tell a substance abuse problem from a mental disorder
Although substance abuse-induced symptoms are somewhat different from those of an independent
mental disorder, at times, it is difficult to distinguish them. Hence, diagnosing them is pivotal to the right
treatment and faster recovery. Since these symptoms are a direct result of the substance use, they can
be treated more quickly by discontinuing the substance.
Dual diagnosis is a two-way street
It is a two-way street as substance abuse can cause mental problem and vice-versa. For example, a person
suffering from a mental condition may use a substance for self-medication and, in turn, can grow
dependent on it. Similarly, when a mentally healthy person starts abusing any substance, it may affect the
chemical balance of the brain, which over time can create, worsen or unearth any serious mental disorder.
Factors leading to dual diagnosis
There are a few important factors that trigger a simultaneous development of a mental condition and a
substance use disorder. They are:
 Genes: It is the genes that affect the way a substance interacts with the brain and body of an
individual.
 Personality: A person’s attitude and personality traits also largely govern the prevalence of dual
diagnosis.
 Brain chemistry: Brain chemical dopamine is largely affected by a mental condition and a
substance abuse problem. Any changes in the dopamine level due to prevalence of one may
trigger the other.
Getting treatment
Proper diagnosis is vital to the treatment and long-term recovery in dual diagnosis. Hence, whether it is a
mental condition or a substance abuse problem, seeking early treatment will certainly prevent the
conditions from exacerbating.
If a loved one is suffering from co-occurring disorders and you are looking for dual diagnosis treatment
centers in Florida, the Florida Dual Diagnosis Helpline is there to offer you the right guidance. Call at our
24/7 helpline number 866-337-7631 for a prompt response. Our members have the best advice on rehabs
in Florida and can guide you to the right dual diagnosis treatment in Florida.
For more information, please visit
www.floridadualdiagnosishelpline.com