Dual Diagnosis Treatment is a method of treatment in which a person is diagnosed with both a substance use disorder (such as alcohol use disorder) and a mental health disorder (such as depressive disorders, bipolar disorders, anxiety attacks, etc.). An interaction between the two conditions will make rehabilitation more complex, resulting in a less desirable care outlook and a higher risk of adverse health effects if not treated properly.
When these two factors combine, clients can often not qualify for mental health treatment until they have achieved sobriety. It has been found people suffering from the disease of addiction in parallel with those with mental illnesses, a condition known as dual diagnosis. In the absence of effective treatment, these individuals tend to be forced into treatment programs that do not seem to address either illness but accept punishment due to their addiction. It is known that individuals who have a dual diagnosis, including substance use disorders, struggle even more with providing care since they often experience depression and anxiety concurrently with other mental health.