Dual Diagnosis Treatment Designed for Lasting Recovery
When the whole picture is understood, recovery becomes much more achievable.
Addiction is rarely a standalone issue. For many who seek treatment for substance use issues, there are also underlying mental health conditions that may have contributed to the substance use in the first place. This is referred to as a co-occurring disorder, or dual diagnosis. It is very common, but frequently undertreated, and treating the addiction without treating the mental health condition, and vice versa, significantly lowers success rates for long-term sobriety.
That’s where our dual diagnosis treatment facility comes into play. Here at Agape Detox Center, our treatment program treats the addiction and the co-occurring mental health issue together because we believe that treating both conditions simultaneously in one setting by the same clinical team provides the best possible opportunity for achieving lasting recovery. This approach is the evidence-based standard for co-occurring disorder treatment, and it is central to everything we do.
What Is Dual Diagnosis?
Dual diagnosis refers to the simultaneous presence of a substance use disorder and one or more mental health conditions.[1] There is a close and bidirectional link between the two conditions. While mental illness can cause people to use substances as a means of self-medicating, substance use can also lead to worsening or triggering pre-existing mental illnesses. Some of the most common forms of mental illness that occur alongside addiction are:
According to SAMHSA, approximately 21 million U.S. adults are living with both a mental health issue and a substance use disorder.[5] Yet integrated dual diagnosis treatment remains underused, making it one of the most important gaps in addiction care that Agape is committed to addressing.
Depression and major depressive disorder
Depression and major depressive disorder Major depression is one of the most common co-occurring disorders experienced with addiction. It is often caused by the chemical changes occurring due to substance use and withdrawal.
Anxiety disorders
Anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and panic disorder, that people commonly self-medicate with alcohol, prescription medications like benzodiazepines, and other substances.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Trauma is a major contributor to substance use, and for many, PTSD and substance use are closely connected.[2]
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder People with bipolar disorder who self-medicate will find mood stabilization difficult, and their ability to remain sober can be challenging.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) People with ADHD are more prone to misusing stimulants and are often undiagnosed until after they start looking for help for their addiction.[3]
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) — Clients with OCD live with disruptive and intrusive thought patterns and repetitive behaviors that may cause individuals to turn to substances to cope.
Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders
Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders People with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders are more likely than those without psychotic disorders to develop substance use problems.[4]
Personality disorders
Personality disorders Including borderline personality disorder, which shares significant overlap with trauma, self-harm, and substance use.
Eating disorders
These can include anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, and others.
Why Integrated Treatment Works
Integrated dual diagnosis treatment produces better outcomes than treating each condition separately because of the relationship between the two disorders. Mental health issues and substance use issues are interdependent — they influence each other and reinforce each other in ways that render separate treatments less complete.[6]
If a person uses substances to control the symptoms of an unaddressed anxiety disorder, treating only the addiction without treating the anxiety leaves the original motivator for continuing the addictive behavior in place. If a person suffering from opioid dependency also has untreated PTSD, the trauma response that triggers cravings will continue to drive relapse, no matter how successful the opioid detox process may have been.
Integrated treatment addresses this by combining psychiatric care, medication management, and addiction treatment within a single program. Instead of working independently and focusing solely on just one condition at a time, your entire treatment team is focused on developing an effective plan for treating both your mental health issues and your substance use disorders together.
Our Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program
At Agape, dual diagnosis care is fully embedded in the continuum of care we provide, from medical detox through inpatient and continuing care. Our behavioral health team performs a comprehensive screening for co-occurring disorders at intake and incorporates mental health treatment throughout the recovery journey.
Comprehensive Assessment
All new clients entering Agape’s program undergo a detailed psychiatric and psychological evaluation upon admission. This assessment identifies mental health conditions, determines baseline functioning, and informs the development of the individualized treatment plan that guides the client’s stay.
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Individualized Treatment Plans
No two dual diagnosis presentations are the same, so no two treatment plans can be either. A client’s substance use disorder, mental health, history, strengths, and goals make up a unique clinical picture that requires personalized treatment. Each client’s treatment plan is developed collaboratively with their care team and is updated regularly as needed during their stay.
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Evidence-Based Therapies
Our dual diagnosis program uses a variety of evidence-based therapeutic techniques proven effective in treating both addiction and mental health conditions. All treatment provided at Agape also uses a trauma-informed lens, recognizing the pervasive role of trauma in co-occurring disorder presentations.
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Medication Management
Many clients with dual diagnosis require medication as part of their mental health treatment. Agape’s psychiatry team conducts thorough evaluations and manages medications for mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and PTSD — coordinating closely with the addiction treatment team so that all decisions are made in the context of the full clinical picture. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for substance use disorders is available and integrated into the dual diagnosis program where appropriate.
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Psychiatric Support
Access to psychiatric care throughout the treatment process is a defining feature of effective dual diagnosis treatment. At Agape, clients have ongoing access to our psychiatric team not just at intake, but throughout their stay, ensuring that mental health treatment is continuous and responsive to each client’s evolving needs.
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Take the First Step Toward Integrated Healing
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with both a mental illness and addiction, it is essential that you receive treatment that focuses on both. Agape Detox Center provides just that. Reach out today. Our admissions team is available around the clock to answer your questions, verify your insurance, and help you find the path to integrated healing.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Dual Diagnosis Treatment and Facilities
What is the difference between dual diagnosis and co-occurring disorders?
Dual diagnosis and co-occurring disorders are used interchangeably. They are defined as the simultaneous existence of a substance use disorder and at least one mental health disorder.
How common are co-occurring disorders?
Very common. According to SAMHSA, more than 21 million adults in the United States live with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.[7] Among people in addiction treatment, co-occurring mental health conditions are the rule rather than the exception.
Can both conditions be treated at the same time?
Yes, and this is exactly what an integrated dual diagnosis treatment program does. Studies have demonstrated that treating both the addiction and mental health issues at the same time as part of a single program results in far superior outcomes compared to separate treatments. All levels of care offered through Agape include dual diagnosis treatments.
What mental health conditions does Agape treat alongside addiction?
Our integrated dual diagnosis program offers treatment for a large number of co-occurring mental health conditions such as depression, various forms of anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, ADHD, schizophrenia, and other serious mental illnesses. Each person’s unique circumstances will determine which specific mental health issues will require treatment during their stay at Agape Detox Center.
How is medication managed in dual diagnosis treatment?
During the initial phase of treatment, our board-certified psychiatrist completes a thorough assessment and develops a medication regimen for our clients’ mental health-related symptoms. As the client progresses in treatment, the entire treatment team evaluates the need for adjustments as needed. We offer medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders in cases where medically indicated.
Does insurance cover dual diagnosis treatment?
Many insurance companies provide coverage for medically necessary dual diagnosis treatment. Due to provisions outlined under the Affordable Care Act, mental health and substance use disorders must be treated equally to medical and surgical care under most insurance policies. Our admissions staff will verify your insurance coverage confidentially before initiating any type of treatment at Agape Detox Center.
Sources
[1] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2023). Co-occurring disorders and other health conditions. https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/serious-mental-illness/co-occurring-disorders
[2] U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Center for PTSD. (2025). Substance use and PTSD. https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/related/substance_misuse.asp
[3] Kollins, S. H. (2008). ADHD, substance use disorders, and psychostimulant treatment: Current literature and treatment guidelines. Journal of Attention Disorders, 12(2), 115–125. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18192623/
[4] Hunt, G. E., Large, M. M., Cleary, M., Lai, H. M. X., & Saunders, J. B. (2023). Substance use disorders in schizophrenia: Prevalence, etiology, biomarkers, and treatment. Personalized Medicine in Psychiatry, 37–38, 100096. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468171723000078
[5] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2025). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt56287/2024-nsduh-annual-national/2024-nsduh-annual-national-html-071425-edited/2024-nsduh-annual-national.htm
[6] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2020). Substance use disorder treatment for people with co-occurring disorders: Updated 2020 (Treatment Improvement Protocol Series No. 42). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK571022/
[7] 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) releases. (n.d.). CBHSQ Data. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/data-we-collect/nsduh-national-survey-drug-use-and-health/national-releases/2022