People who are struggling with the disease of addiction, as well as another disorder, are suffering from what is known as co-occurring disorders or dual diagnosis.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment at Bayside Marin

Meeting the unique needs of these patients during substance abuse treatment requires an effective dual diagnosis treatment program that features professionals who have specific experience and expertise with co-occurring disorders and rehabilitation.

At Bayside Marin, the talented members of our multidisciplinary team of clinical professionals have years of experience in dual diagnosis rehab, and are dedicated to providing research-backed treatment for dual diagnosis. This commitment to specialized treatment of dual diagnosis has earned Bayside Marin the reputation as one of the leading treatment programs in the country.

What is Dual Diagnosis

Dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorders refers to when an individual is affected by both drug addiction and a mental or psychiatric illness such as depression or anxiety. Both illnesses may affect an individual physically, psychologically, socially and spiritually. Each illness has symptoms that interfere with a person’s ability to function effectively and relate to themselves and others.

Not only is the individual affected by two separate illnesses, but both illnesses interact with one another. The illnesses may exacerbate each other and each disorder predisposes to relapse in the other disease. At times the symptoms can overlap and even mask each other, making diagnosis and treatment more difficult.

What Causes Dual Diagnosis

There is no single cause or easy explanation for why a person develops co-occurring disorders. These illnesses develop over time and are influenced by many factors, including:

Genetics
Family History
Psychological Factors (such as how one thinks about and reacts to different situations)
Personality
Coping Skills

How Common is Dual Diagnosis

Dual diagnosis is more common than you might imagine. In fact, it is not unusual for a person to have three or more co-occurring diagnoses. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association:

37 percent of alcohol abusers and 53 percent of drug abusers also have at least one serious mental illness.
Of all people diagnosed as mentally ill, 29 percent abuse either alcohol or drugs.

What Mental and Emotional Problems Are Seen with Co-Occurring Disorders?

The following mental health disorders commonly occur in tandem with alcohol and drug addiction:

Depressive disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder
Anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and phobias
Other psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia and borderline personality disorder

Treatment for Dual Diagnosis at Bayside Marin in California

At Bayside Marin we believe that addiction treatment must include a dual recovery program. Just as there is a set of concrete and measurable behaviors and attitudes that indicate recovery from addiction, there is a separate and equally concrete and measurable set of behaviors and attitudes that indicate recovery from mental illness.

When an individual has co-occurring disorders, they have to work that much harder to protect their recovery. All too often patients put most of their energy into one diagnosis and neglect the other, increasing the chances of relapse in one or both conditions.

At Bayside Marin, treatment for typically includes:

A psychiatric evaluation and psychological assessment
Medication evaluation and monitoring
Education about their illnesses
Symptoms management strategies
Additional individual therapy
Dual recovery plans for addiction and mental illness

All of our therapists are well-versed in rehabilitation and offer specialized lectures in their areas of expertise, such as anxiety, stress reduction, personality disorders and cross addictions. Our therapists and counselors coordinate closely with our clinicians and program assistants to provide a seamless, integrated dual diagnosis treatment program.