Concurrent Disorders (Dual Diagnosis)
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Healing the Whole Person
Addiction rarely exists in a vacuum. “Concurrent Disorders” (or Dual Diagnosis) refers to the co-occurrence of a substance use disorder and a mental health condition, such as Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, or Bipolar Disorder.
Why Integrated Treatment Matters
Treating only the addiction while ignoring the underlying mental health issue often leads to relapse. At ARC, we treat both conditions simultaneously.
The Cycle: Mental health struggles can lead to self-medication with drugs or alcohol, which in turn worsens the mental health symptoms.
Our Approach: Our psychiatrists and clinical psychologists work alongside addiction counselors to create a unified treatment plan.
Conditions We Treat
- Depression & Alcohol Use
- Anxiety & Benzodiazepine Dependency
- PTSD & Opioid Use
- ADHD & Stimulant Use
Your Clinical Team
You will be cared for by a multidisciplinary team including Psychiatrists, Registered Psychotherapists, and Addiction Physicians. This ensures that your medication management and therapeutic needs are perfectly aligned.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a concurrent disorder?
A concurrent disorder (also known as Dual Diagnosis) occurs when an individual suffers from both a substance use disorder (addiction) and a mental health condition (such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD) at the same time. Both conditions interact with and often worsen each other.
Which comes first: the addiction or the mental illness?
It varies by individual. Sometimes, people use drugs or alcohol to self-medicate untreated mental health symptoms. In other cases, chronic substance abuse changes brain chemistry, triggering anxiety or depression. At ARC, we focus on treating both issues simultaneously rather than trying to determine which started first.
Why is it important to treat both conditions together?
Treating only the addiction while ignoring the underlying mental health issue often leads to relapse, as the emotional triggers remain unresolved. Our integrated model ensures that you receive psychiatric care for your mental health while learning tools to manage your sobriety.
Will I need to stop taking my psychiatric medication?
Not necessarily. Our medical team and psychiatrists will review your current medications. In many cases, stabilizing mental health through proper, non-addictive medication is a vital part of the recovery process.
Is the treatment program longer for concurrent disorders?
Because dual diagnosis cases are more complex, they often require a more comprehensive approach. While every treatment plan is unique, we generally recommend a longer residential stay to ensure both the mental health symptoms and withdrawal phases are stabilized effectively.
Addiction is a medical condition, not a life sentence. Our Canadian clinical team is ready to listen without judgment. Get confidential answers about Medical Detox, Therapy, and Insurance Coverage today.
