Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment

Co-occurring disorder or dual diagnosis is when an individual is simultaneously diagnosed with two or more mental health disorders. 

Symptoms caused by one diagnosis might indirectly become the cause of another. A depressed person might choose to use substances to enjoy a serotonin boost which can eventually lead to a substance use disorder. 

According to Hopkins Medicine, mental health disorders are labeled as the top cause of disability in the market economy. Roughly 26% of American adults suffer from a mental health disorder in a year, meaning 1 in 4 adults are living with a diagnosable and treatable disorder.

Many mental health disorders are often paired with similar conditions that further worsen the individual’s suffering. People with depression often have anxiety and many individuals suffering from a substance use disorder are likely to be diagnosed with ADHD, bipolar disorder, or personality disorders.

This is what we call a co-occurring disorder.

Research shows that disorders can have bidirectional relationships where one might influence or worsen the other. Out of 20.3 million adults who were suffering from substance use disorder, 37.9% were also diagnosed with another mental health condition.

On the contrary, out of 42.1 million individuals suffering from mental health disorders, 18.2% were also diagnosed with a substance use disorder. 

Receiving the best help for co-occurring disorders is essential for recovery. Cornerstone Healing Center is a co-occurring disorder treatment center in Scottsdale, AZ. We believe that integrated treatments are ideal for co-occurring disorders treatment. These treatments are personalized to meet the client’s needs and tackle unique issues, allowing them to reach the root cause of the problem and eliminate the point.

• They are isolating themselves from friends and family.
• Abrupt changes in their behavior, such as being more irritated, less patient, and angrier.
• They are facing difficulties in fulfilling everyday tasks.
• They indulge in risky behavior such as driving under the influence, changing social groups, or changing partners.
• They no longer focus on their health or hygiene.
• They lose control over their use of substances.
• They have a high tolerance for substance usage.
• They are showing signs of withdrawal.

• An increase or decrease in their eating and sleeping routines.
• They lack interest in hobbies that they once adored.
• They have increased emotional reactivity.
• They show fear without reason.
• They are having difficulty concentrating or thinking.
• They are more irritable and tend to get angry quickly.
• They are no longer giving importance to cleanliness or health.
• They are complaining about body pains without genuine cause.
• They seem to have lost touch with reality and are acting paranoid. They might also be experiencing hallucinations or delusions, which they explain to you as life events.

Mental health disorders often act as a risk factor for substance use disorders. It’s relatively common among individuals suffering from mental illnesses to rely on drugs and substances to reduce or overcome the symptoms of their condition.

It can be in the form of self-medication, where the individual is using antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication without a prescription or guidance from a professional. Many tranquilizers, benzodiazepines, and sleeping pills are also readily available by illegal means, which results in unsafe usage to relieve symptoms of illnesses.

Also, some people are introduced to drugs by friends to calm them down. Marijuana is ideal at first for slowing down the “fight and flight” mode of the body, relaxing an individual, and inducing a serene feeling. However, long-term use can make an individual dependent on the drug, cause addiction, and worsen their illness.

It is challenging to state which comes first; the illness or the addiction. But it is known that both play a role in influencing the other. Suppose an individual has a family history of addiction or mental disorders or is grown up in an environment where addiction is considered normal. In that case, they are more likely to adopt those habits.

People with co-occurring disorders often misuse drugs because they feel they have no other option.

Under the Affordable Care Act, insurances covers co-occurring disorder treatment. Most insurance plans cover these costs, and some even cover them under the physical disorder section.

Moreover, Federal Laws ensure that no extra or unnecessary restrictions prevent individuals from getting insured treatment for their mental health disorders.

It is every individual’s right to live with the healthiest versions of themselves. Learning to manage a co-occurring disorder is already quite frustrating without adding the pressure of insurance coverages.

At Cornerstone Healing Center, most private insurances are covered, which include;

• Aetna
• Blue Cross BlueShield
• United Healthcare
• Humana
• Cigna
• Beacon
• OR
• Mayo Clinic

The best way to find out how much your health insurance policy covers substance abuse treatment is to allow us to verify your insurance.