Dual Diagnosis Treatment Near You in NJ, PA, & NY
Individuals who have both a substance use disorder (SUD) and a mental health disorder have what is called co-occurring conditions. These conditions require a concurrent treatment approach known as dual diagnosis treatment, which treats both conditions at the same time. At Rubicon Recovery Center, we provide dual diagnosis care for individuals with co-occurring conditions from New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Learn about our drug and alcohol addiction treatments, how dual diagnosis treatment works and why it’s necessary.
Key Takeaways
- Dual diagnosis is when a person has both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder at the same time. They require integrated treatment to address both issues simultaneously.
- Treating addiction first and then the mental health condition can have negative consequences, including higher relapse rates, higher hospitalization rates, lower treatment adherence, and more.
- At Rubicon Recovery Center, we provide three levels of dual diagnosis care for people with co-occurring SUDs and mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and bipolar disorder.
- Insurance coverage for dual diagnosis care will depend on your insurance provider and plan. We offer a convenient insurance verification process to see if you’re covered.
What Does Dual Diagnosis Mean?
A dual diagnosis is the same as a co-occurring condition, where a person has both a mental health condition and an SUD. Dual diagnoses are frequently linked to three key factors:
- Substance-induced disorders: If a person already has an underlying genetic predisposition to a certain mental health disorder, heavy or continuous use of substances can trigger it.
- Self-medication: Many individuals with mental health disorders use drugs or alcohol to self-medicate their symptoms, helping themselves feel better temporarily. This can create a cycle in which stress from one condition triggers symptoms of the other.
- Shared risk factors: Mental health conditions and SUDs share many risk factors, including genetics, early childhood trauma, and severe stress. Therefore, individuals with these risk factors have a higher chance of developing both disorders.
Dual diagnoses require a specialized treatment approach that acknowledges that these disorders are highly interconnected.
Why Treating Addiction Alone Often Fails
In the past, treating co-occurring disorders was sequential, meaning one disorder was treated first (typically addiction) and then the other. Some treatment facilities still do this. However, sequential treatment is considered outdated because it doesn’t consider the fact that mental health and substance use disorders are highly linked. It can lead to negative consequences like:
- Conflicting medical advice from different doctors or specialists
- Worsening symptoms of the unaddressed condition
- Higher relapse rates because only one condition is addressed and the underlying triggers remain active
- Lower treatment adherence due to frustration or inconsistency
- Increased hospitalization rates because of a higher risk of crisis events
This sequential treatment method often fails and leads to continued functional decline. Fortunately, a better option is available.
How Does Our Integrated Approach Work?
At Rubicon Recovery Center, we know that sequential treatment isn’t the best option for treating co-occurring conditions. Instead of treating the conditions separately, both conditions are treated simultaneously in a process known as integrated treatment.
We specialize in dual diagnosis care through our partnership with our sister center, Rubicon Mental Health Center. It uses integrated treatment plans from a coordinated care team, allowing us to treat both conditions concurrently. Our master’s-level clinicians work with our addiction counselors, rehab professionals, and support staff to provide a unified care plan that helps prevent inconsistent medical advice and treatments, reduce relapse rates, and improve overall outcomes.
| Treatment Type | Sequential Treatment | Integrated Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Description | Treating one disorder and then the other using different care plans | Treating both disorders simultaneously with a unified care plan |
| Care Team | Multiple specialists who work separately | Single care team that works together |
| Outcomes |
|
|
What Are Common Co-Occurring Conditions We Treat?
At Rubicon Recovery Center, we treat a range of co-occurring conditions that affect people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. They include:
Depression and Substance Use
Depression is a common mental health disorder that causes symptoms like persistent feelings of sadness or anxiety, mood swings, fatigue, isolation, loss of interest in activities, changes in sleep or appetite, and more. It also makes people more susceptible to substance use. Studies have shown that nearly 25% of people with major depressive disorder (MDD) also have a substance use disorder. Commonly misused substances by people with depression include alcohol, marijuana, central nervous system stimulants, such as Adderall or cocaine, and prescription sedatives like benzodiazepines.
Anxiety Disorders and Substance Use
Anxiety disorders include various disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and phobias. They cause both mental and physical symptoms like negative thoughts, irritability, avoidance, restlessness, fatigue, racing heartbeats, sweating, and shortness of breath.
Substance use is common in people with anxiety disorders, with research demonstrating that people with anxiety are 2 to 3 times more likely to have a substance use disorder in their lifetime compared to the general population. People with anxiety often use substances like alcohol, marijuana, and prescription sedatives like benzodiazepines.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Substance Use
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that may develop when an individual witnesses or experiences a traumatic event, such as a natural disaster, sexual assault, or combat. It leads to four main categories of symptoms, including intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, and changes in physical and emotional reactions.
People with PTSD also often have substance use disorders. Nearly 45% of adults in the U.S. who have PTSD also have problems with drug or alcohol use. Commonly misused substances by people with PTSD include alcohol, marijuana, prescription opioids, and stimulants like cocaine.
Bipolar Disorder and Substance Use
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes cycles of manic episodes (high energy, grandiosity, racing thoughts, and impulsiveness) and depressive episodes (low energy, fatigue, sadness, and hopelessness). In individuals with bipolar disorder, substance use is common. They have around a 40% to 60% chance of experiencing substance use issues during their lifetime. Commonly used substances include alcohol, marijuana, stimulants, and opioids.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Substance Use
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) causes a cycle of recurrent, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). People with OCD also often deal with SUD, with studies suggesting that approximately 25% of people with OCD also have an SUD in their lifetime. Substances that people with OCD may abuse include alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, and prescription drugs like benzodiazepines.
What Are the Levels of Care for Dual Diagnosis at Rubicon Recovery Center?
At Rubicon Recovery Center, we offer three levels of dual diagnosis programs to meet patients where they are. Our options include our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), which is the most intensive program. It runs for 6 hours a day, 5 or 6 days a week, and it generally lasts 30–45 days.
Our mid-level program, the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), serves as a middle ground between PHP and our Outpatient Program. It runs for 3 hours a day, 3 to 5 days a week, and it typically lasts 10–12 weeks.
Our lowest-level program is the Outpatient Program (OP), which is typically only for current patients who need a step down from IOP or PHP. It runs for 2 to 3 days per week, with an hour of treatment each day, and the program length depends on the patient’s needs.
What Insurance Covers Dual Diagnosis Care?
If you’re looking into our programs, you’re likely wondering whether your insurance will cover the cost of dual diagnosis treatment. While the coverage will ultimately depend on your specific plan and benefits, many providers will cover at least a portion of mental health/substance use treatment.
At Rubicon Recovery Center, we accept most major insurance providers, including Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and more. We also offer a quick and easy insurance verification process, where we will assess your coverage and clearly explain it to you. To verify your insurance, simply fill out our online form or call 908-274-0015 to speak with a team member.
Get Started with Dual Diagnosis Treatment Near You in NJ, PA, & NY
If you’re struggling with a co-occurring condition, seek high-quality treatment at Rubicon Recovery Center. Our dual diagnosis treatment uses evidence-based therapies, holistic modalities, and a compassionate, coordinated care team to help you heal. We serve individuals from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York. To learn more about our dual diagnosis treatment near you in New Jersey, contact us today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dual Diagnosis
What is dual diagnosis?
Dual diagnosis, also known as a co-occurring condition, is when a person has both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder at the same time.
How is dual diagnosis treatment different from regular rehab?
Dual diagnosis treatment differs from regular rehab because it addresses both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder, not just SUDs like traditional rehab facilities.
Can outpatient treatment handle both addiction and mental health?
Yes, outpatient treatment centers like Rubicon Recovery Center can handle both addiction and mental health disorders, as long as they offer dual diagnosis care.
Does insurance cover dual diagnosis treatment?
Whether your insurance covers dual diagnosis care depends on your specific provider and plan. We can help you verify your insurance to see if you’re covered.
What if I am not sure I have a mental health condition?
We perform a comprehensive clinical assessment on each new patient to understand their mental health and substance use history, so we can help confirm or rule out a diagnosis of a mental health condition.
How long does dual diagnosis treatment usually last?
The duration of dual diagnosis treatment depends on your diagnoses, program type, and other factors. It can range from several weeks to several months.
Can I take psychiatric medication during treatment?
Yes, we offer medication management services for patients who need psychiatric medications, ensuring proper dosing and side-effect management.
