Addiction often masks symptoms of co-occurring mental health issues. At The Ridge Ohio, we help uncover root causes and work to build a path toward total well-being.

Concurrent Addiction and Mental Health Disorders

When a diagnosis reveals both an alcohol or substance use disorder (AUD/SUD) and a mental health disorder at the same time, it’s known as co-occurring disorders. Mental health professionals also call this a dual diagnosis. Managing co-occurring disorders poses unique challenges for people undergoing treatment for AUD/SUD as well as the counselors and therapists who treat them, primarily due to three key reasons:

  1. Symptom Overlap: The symptoms of AUD/SUD often overlap or closely resemble the symptoms of various mental health disorders.
  2. Self-Medication: Alcohol or drug use is often initiated in an attempt to manage the distressing emotions associated with untreated mental health conditions. This is known as self-medication.
  3. Mutual Reinforcement: Over time, the use of alcohol and drugs can amplify rather than alleviate the symptoms of mental health disorders. This cycle may lead to increased alcohol and/or substance use, which further exacerbates the mental health symptoms.

The presence of co-occurring conditions makes an accurate diagnosis critical. Without proper diagnosis, an underlying mental health disorder can undermine progress made during treatment for problematic alcohol and drug use.

The Ridge: Recovery for Life

It’s time for change.
(513) 457-7963

What Does Dual Diagnosis Treatment Involve?

Dual diagnosis treatment is a specialized approach that addresses both substance addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions. At The Ridge Ohio, we understand that addiction often goes hand-in-hand with other mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. Our dual diagnosis treatment aims to provide a comprehensive solution that tackles both aspects, offering a more holistic path to recovery.

Initial Assessment

Upon admission, our team of medical professionals conducts a thorough assessment to diagnose any co-occurring mental health conditions. This allows us to tailor a treatment plan that addresses both your addiction and mental health needs.

Integrated Care

Our dual diagnosis treatment integrates psychiatric care with addiction treatment. This means you’ll receive medication management, psychotherapy, and addiction counseling in a coordinated manner.

Individual and Group Therapy

Both individual and group therapy sessions are integral parts of dual diagnosis treatment. These sessions focus on understanding the relationship between your addiction and mental health condition, providing coping strategies for both.

Family Involvement

Family plays a crucial role in dual diagnosis treatment. Our family programming includes educational sessions and counseling to help your loved ones understand the complexities of dual diagnosis and how they can support you.

Ongoing Support

Post-treatment support is essential for sustained recovery. We offer aftercare programs and relapse prevention strategies to help you maintain your progress.

A Comprehensive Approach to Treat the Whole Person

In order to devise an effective treatment plan for an alcohol or substance use disorder along with a co-occurring disorder, it is imperative to recognize the presence of both. At The Ridge Ohio, we understand co-occurring disorders and the significant role they play both in the development of and treatment for problematic alcohol and drug use.

While The Ridge Ohio stands as a residential substance abuse treatment facility, it’s important to note that we do not accept patients with a primary mental health diagnosis. This limitation is due to our licensing as a substance abuse treatment facility. However, we do offer access to a psychiatrist in conjunction with primary substance use disorder treatment, and many of our patients have secondary mental health disorders such as depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and anxiety.

Dual Diagnosis and Co-Occurring Disorders Treatment

Prevalence of Co-Occurring Disorders

Co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders are considerably more prevalent than most people realize. Data from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) show that in the year 2020:

  • A staggering 17 million people in the U.S. struggle with both a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder.
  • Of those 17 million, 5.7 million had a serious mental illness, defined as a mental illness that makes daily life unmanageable.
  • Half of those with co-occurring SUD/mental health disorders received treatment for one or the other, but only 5.7% of people with a dual diagnosis received specialized treatment for both disorders.

This means in 2020, over 16 million people with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders did not get the essential treatment and support they needed. The interlinked cycles of these mutually reinforcing disorders make their path to recovery even more challenging – but there is hope. Evidence demonstrates when an individual with a dual diagnosis receives treatment for both disorders, positive outcomes improve for both disorders.

Common Co-Occurring Disorders

Psychiatric disorders that often co-occur with alcohol and substance use disorders include:

  • Anxiety
  • Panic Disorder
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Depression
  • Borderline personality disorder
  • Psychotic disorder
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Schizophrenia
  • Anti-social personality disorder
  • Eating disorders

Therapeutic Approaches for Treating Dual Diagnosis

When you enter treatment and start your path to recovery, it may take time for the symptoms of an underlying mental health disorder to appear. Should these symptoms arise, the expert treatment team at The Ridge Ohio will assess if they can offer the appropriate level of care and support. If your mental health disorder impairs your ability to participate in treatment, we will refer you to a qualified provider capable of delivering the specialized treatment needed.

In most cases, we tailor the treatment plan to meet your individual needs. This personalized plan may include:

  • One-on-one counseling
  • Individual psychotherapy
  • Group therapy sessions
  • Family counseling sessions
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Trauma-informed care

Premium Dual Diagnosis Treatment

At The Ridge Ohio, our dedicated counselors and therapists work collaboratively to integrate individual psychiatric care with your comprehensive treatment plan. This integration ensures a thorough analysis of how a dual diagnosis impacts your recovery. With the skilled guidance of our expert team, you’ll be educated with the proper knowledge, skills, and commitment to meet the challenge of dual diagnosis. By embracing these techniques you can not only overcome addiction or alcohol use disorder but also manage the symptoms of your co-occurring mental health disorder.

The Ridge: Recovery for Life

It’s time for change.
(513) 457-7963