Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment

“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” – Socrates

Having to sit and watch a loved one as they lose themselves to their mental health is heartbreaking. You want to help, but they don’t know how to express what they are feeling. What’s worse is they now turn to substances as a way to cope, further driving the wedge between your bond.

This happens to more families and loved ones than you think. A survey from 2023 showed that 35% of U.S. adults ages 18 and older who had a mental health condition also had a substance use disorder.

Reflections Lifestyle Center was founded on the principle of connecting families to quality mental health care for their loved ones. Co-occurring disorders pose their own set of distresses for treatment, which is why our world-class team is composed of leading experts in this field.

When mental health and substance use disorders combine, they become known as co-occurring disorders. Examples include someone living with bipolar disorder as well as an alcohol use disorder, but can also include someone with more than one mental health condition, such as an anxiety disorder and depressive disorder. When a co-occurring disorder exists, treatment paths should address both conditions simultaneously. If only one condition is addressed at a time, the likelihood of incomplete healing is higher.

At Reflections Lifestyle Center, our team of Harvard-educated experts are well-versed in the treatment of co-occurring disorders in both adolescents and adults.

The goal at Reflections Lifestyle Center is to provide treatment options for co-occurring disorders in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Our program offers flexible options so you do not have to uproot your life to receive the care you deserve. We accomplish this through our adult and teen partial hospitalization program and intensive outpatient program.

Our partial hospitalization program (PHP) provides structured, interactive treatment for individuals requiring significant support while allowing them to return home each day. You will attend our facility for individual and group therapies as well as skill-building classes that aid in recovery. For adults, PHP is offered onsite, virtually, or a hybrid of both. Adolescent treatment is offered in person and includes access to Chromebooks for schoolwork.

The intensive outpatient program (IOP) offers a flexible treatment option with focused therapy sessions that help individuals maintain their daily routines while progressing toward healing. You will continue receiving tailored care for your specific goals and learn about continuing care options as you move through our program.

Many believe that co-occurring disorders simply mean someone with a mental health condition and a substance use disorder. However, there are many combinations and possibilities for conditions to qualify as co-occurring. These include having multiple mental health conditions, a mental health condition with a physical condition, and a substance use disorder with a physical condition. When a co-occurring disorder exists, it is key to treat the conditions at the same time. Therapies often overlap for multiple conditions, simplifying the connection to proper care.

• Dual diagnosis: Specifically refers to the presence of both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder in an individual. For example, someone with both generalized anxiety disorder and alcohol use disorder would be considered to have a dual diagnosis. This term is most often used in clinical settings to highlight the relationship between the two conditions.
• Comorbidity: A broader term used in medical and psychological contexts to describe any two or more conditions that occur simultaneously in a person. An example of this would be a person having both diabetes and depression. Comorbidity emphasizes the co-existence of these conditions but does not necessarily imply a direct relationship or causation between them.
• Co-occurring disorders: This term overlaps with dual diagnosis but is more inclusive and descriptive of the simultaneous presence of a mental health condition and a substance use disorder. Co-occurring disorders often affect each other in important ways, going beyond just having a dual diagnosis. Someone with untreated depression may turn to substance use, despite chronic substance use worsening their symptoms. It is crucial to treat both simultaneously, as addressing one condition without considering the other often leads to incomplete recovery.

There is no limit to which mental health conditions become part of a co-occurring disorder. Anxiety, depressive disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and PTSD are commonly diagnosed in co-occurring substance use disorders. However, any mental health condition can contribute to a substance use disorder and vice versa.

Recognizing the signs of co-occurring disorders in loved ones can be difficult due to symptoms of mental health conditions and substance use disorders overlapping. However, some key signs to look for include:

• Mood swings: Emotional instability accompanied by frequent changes in mood, irritability, or unexplained outbursts could signal an underlying mental health condition. To manage these symptoms, your loved one may begin taking substances. This will further exacerbate mood swings, indicating a co-occurring disorder may be present.
• Behavior changes: Withdrawing from social activities, neglecting responsibilities, or engaging in risky behaviors may indicate the influence of co-occurring disorders.
• Physical health decline: Constant fatigue, unexplained aches and pains, sleep disturbances, and changes in appetite are red flags.
• Cognitive impairments: Difficulty concentrating, memory trouble, or confusion may point to both mental health and substance-related concerns. This is especially true if they are experiencing hallucinations or delusions.
• Being more secretive: Avoiding conversations about their well-being, hiding medications or substances, or being defensive about their behaviors indicates a need for a conversation.

Seeing these signs does not guarantee a co-occurring disorder is happening, but encouraging open, nonjudgmental communication can help get the conversation started. Your loved one needs to feel supported and that someone is on their side.

Effective treatment for co-occurring disorders requires an integrated approach that simultaneously addresses both the mental health condition(s) and the substance use disorder. The process begins with a thorough evaluation by mental health and substance use disorder specialists to identify all underlying conditions and understand how they interact. Based on this assessment, treatment plans are tailored to address the unique needs of each individual, combining elements such as therapy, medication, and lifestyle adjustments.

Evidence-based therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and trauma-focused therapies are often employed to address both conditions. These approaches help individuals develop coping skills, challenge negative thought patterns, and process unresolved trauma. Psychiatrists may also prescribe medications to stabilize mental health conditions, ensuring careful monitoring of side effects and effectiveness.

Integrated treatment requires collaboration throughout the entire treatment process, including follow-ups with each member of the care team. The team at Reflections Lifestyle Center is here to support you every step of the way, promoting recovery from co-occurring disorders and paving the way for a healthier, more balanced life.