What is Dual Diagnosis?

What is Dual Diagnosis?

October 23, 2012

Drug and alcohol addiction affects 22.1 million people in the United States. For some addicts, their struggle is more complicated. Research shows that half of all addicts have at least one mental illness and are addicted to drugs and/or alcohol at the same time, which is called dual diagnosis.

The mental illnesses can vary from depression to schizophrenia and other conditions. Addicts may even use drugs or alcohol to try to treat their mental illness symptoms. Learn about dual diagnosis, what it means in addiction and how both addiction and mental illness can be treated.