AKA: Dual Diagnosis
When a person has both a substance use disorder and a mental health condition (e.g., depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD).
In the context of addiction treatment:
Effective programs treat both conditions at the same time rather than separately.
What to know:
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Untreated mental health symptoms can increase relapse risk.
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Many people use substances to self-medicate anxiety, trauma, or mood problems—treating those issues is essential for long-term recovery.