Signs and Symptoms of a Dual Diagnosis

Dual Diagnosis Explained

Dual diagnosis, also known as a co-occurring disorder, means that an individual simultaneously lives with an active substance abuse disorder and a mental illness. Often the two co-occurring disorders will impact one another, and it can be challenging to identify which one came first. As your mental illness begins to have unpleasant or significant side effects that can be hard to manage, many will turn to drugs and alcohol to mitigate the undesirable side effects and attempt to feel ‘normal.’ However, using drugs and alcohol will often exacerbate the severity of your mental health disorders, creating a cycle of substance abuse and worsening symptoms of mental illness.