5 Tips for Staying Sober
You’ve done the work to become clean and sober, and you want to do what you can to stay that way. Here are five great tips that will help you safeguard your freedom from a substance use disorder.
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What Is Dual Diagnosis? Understanding Co-Occurring Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders
If you or someone you care about is dealing with substance use and also struggling with anxiety, depression, or another mental health condition, you’re not alone. This is known as dual diagnosis, or co-occurring disorders—and it’s far more common than most people realize.
Treating one issue without addressing the other is like trying to fix only half the problem. That’s why integrated care is essential.
What Is a Dual Diagnosis?
Dual diagnosis refers to when someone experiences both a substance use disorder (SUD) and a mental health disorder at the same time. Common combinations include:
- Alcohol use and depression
- Opioid use and anxiety
- Methamphetamine use and bipolar disorder
- Any substance use and PTSD or trauma-related symptoms
How Mental Health and Substance Use Interact
The relationship between mental health and substance use is complex and cyclical:
- Self-medication: Many people use drugs or alcohol to cope with anxiety, trauma, or depression.
- Worsening symptoms: Substance use can actually make mental health symptoms worse over time.
- Increased relapse risk: Untreated mental health conditions can trigger relapse, even after a period of sobriety.
Why One-Size-Fits-All Treatment Doesn’t Work
Some treatment programs focus solely on addiction without addressing mental health. Others treat mental health without recognizing the impact of substance use. But when both issues are present, they need to be treated together—not separately.
Effective dual diagnosis treatment includes:
- Integrated therapy for both substance use and mental health
- Trauma-informed care
- Psychiatric evaluation and medication management when appropriate
- Skill-building for emotional regulation and stress management
Signs You May Have a Co-Occurring Disorder
If any of the following apply to you or your loved one, dual diagnosis treatment might be the right path:
- Using substances to manage stress, anxiety, or emotional pain
- Mood swings or panic attacks during or after substance use
- A history of trauma or PTSD
- Trouble maintaining recovery despite best efforts
- Feeling like “something deeper” is going on
The Right Outpatient Program Can Help
Many outpatient programs today are equipped to support people with dual diagnoses, offering:
- Individual and group therapy
- Access to mental health professionals
- Medication management when needed
- Peer support and relapse prevention tools
You Deserve Whole-Person Care
You are not broken. You are not alone. You are not too complicated to help.
With the right treatment and support, both your mental health and your recovery can improve—together.
Need someone to talk to about co-occurring issues? Reach out today—we’re here to help, without judgment
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