Cost of Dual Diagnosis and Co-Occurring Treatment Near Me

Research has consistently shown that depression is one of the most common mood disorders among individuals who are also living with substance use disorders. When we look specifically at AUD, we see that individuals AUD are 3.7 times more likely to experience a major depressive episode when compared to those who do not have an AUD.

Some people can identify which concern came first when it comes to their dual diagnoses. Alcohol is often used to cope with mental health distress, which eventually tends to worsen depressive symptoms. Alternatively, there is a group of individuals who begin experiencing depressive symptoms as a result of their alcohol abuse.

Bipolar disorder is a mental health concern that is known for quick changes in mood and behavioral activities. Research has indicated that approximately 56% of individuals living with bipolar disorder can experience a drug and alcohol addiction at some point in their lifetime. 

Alcohol use disorder is more common than other forms of addiction. However, other common substances abused by individuals who are living with bipolar disorder include tobacco, cocaine, and marijuana.

Anxiety disorders and drug and alcohol addictions are among the most common mental health issues experienced by Americans. Research has shown that individuals living with generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorders were more likely to be living with a substance use disorder when compared to other anxiety disorders.

Alcohol and drugs can be used in an attempt to self-medicate by individuals who experience a range of anxiety symptoms. Another notable finding from the research is that the rates of drug dependence are higher than the rates of alcohol dependence for all anxiety disorders.

Post-traumatic stress disorder is another mental health concern that is common among individuals who have a dual diagnosis. Research has indicated that the combination of these mental health concerns tends to have a more significant impairment on a person’s functioning than other mental health disorders.

Because of the nature of PTSD and drug and alcohol addictions, integrated behavioral care is the gold standard for treatment. Evidence-based treatment approaches for PTSD at this time include CBT, CPT, and Cognitive Therapy. Dual diagnosis counseling is often available in inpatient and outpatient treatment settings for these particular mental health concerns.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is marked by intense or overwhelming moods, patterns of unhealthy relationships, and marked impulsiveness. BPD and drug and alcohol addictions have a high co-occurrence rate. Research has indicated that approximately 22.1% of individuals receiving treatment for a drug or alcohol addiction were also living with BPD.

When we explore the prevalence of BPD among individuals abusing various substances, we see that approximately 16.9% were alcohol-dependent, 22.03% were cocaine-dependent, and 33.8% were dependent on opioids.

Several research studies have indicated that individuals living with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder are at a higher risk for developing a drug or alcohol addiction than those who do not. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration referenced on study that found that 15.2% of individuals living with ADHD met the criteria for a substance use disorder.

Stimulant medications are often used in the treatment of ADHD, which carries a risk of dependence and addiction. Individuals who misuse their medications are at a higher risk of developing an addiction. As an example, college students are more likely to abuse

dextroamphetamine-amphetamine, also known as Adderall, when compared to other stimulants. Individuals who take these medications may find that they experience an increased focus and a decrease in their appetite and need for sleep. However, they are also at an increased risk of developing an addiction.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration shared that 36.8 individuals who are living with bulimia nervosa have a drug or alcohol addiction. Similarly, 27% of individuals with anorexia have a conjoining SUD, and 23.3% of individuals living with binge-eating disorder are living with an SUD.

For each of the three eating disorders mentioned above, individuals were more likely to have an alcohol dependence than a drug dependence. Research has shown that as a person’s eating disorder symptoms worsen, they are more likely to use an increasing number of substances. Stimulant use was often used by those who were looking to lose weight.

Research studies have estimated that approximately 34.8% to 73% of individuals receiving treatment for drug and alcohol addictions meet the criteria for a personality disorder. The prevalence of personality disorders among the general population is an estimated 10% to 14.8%.

The National Institute of Health reported that the most common personality disorders in the U.S. are obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, and borderline personality disorder. Borderline personality disorder and antisocial personality disorder are the most prevalent personality disorders among dual diagnoses.

With 7.7 million adults in the U.S. living with a dual diagnosis, it is imperative that we have access to affordable co-occurring disorder programs across the country. Especially since the cost of treatment keeps approximately 52.2% of individuals from receiving treatment for their mental health.

• The Florida Department of Children and Families, approximately 500,000 to 540,000 adults in Florida are living with a dual diagnosis
• Approximately 1.2 million adults in Florida meet the criteria for a substance use disorder
• An estimated 2.5 million adults in Florida are living with a mental illness

• An estimated 236,000 residents in Massachusetts residents are living with co-occurring disorders
• Approximately 7% of adults living with co-occurring disorders receive treatment for both concerns.

• The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reported that there was a 40% increase in the number of suspected drug-related overdose deaths, bringing the total loss to 3,304 lives in NC
• An estimated  1.469 million North Carolina residents are living with a mental illness
• Approximately 356,000 adults are living with a serious mental illness in NC

• Approximately 12% of individuals who received SUD treatment received psychotropic medications during their treatment episode

• In 2020, the rate of adults who received dual diagnosis treatment in TN was 13.5%, compared to the national average of 9.5%
• Tennessee spent a total of $441 million on community mental health resources including prevention efforts, and 24-hour care services

• “Adults With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Substance Use Disorders.” Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration . Accessed January 13, 2024. https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/sma15-4925.pdf.
• Alcohol and Depression.” Research Institute on Addictions – University at Buffalo, November 13, 2018. https://www.buffalo.edu/cria/news_events/es/es18.html#:~:text=The%20NESARC%20study%20also%20found,than%20when%20they%20appear%20alone
• “Average Cost of Drug Rehab .” National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, January 1, 2023. https://drugabusestatistics.org/cost-of-rehab/
• “Clients with Substance Use and Eating Disorders.” Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Accessed January 14, 2024. https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/sma10-4617.pdf.
• Comorbidity: Substance Use and Other Mental Disorders.” National Institute on Drug Abuse, May 30, 2023. https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/comorbidity/comorbidity-substance-use-other-mental-disorders-infographic.
• “Co-Occurring Disorders and Other Health Conditions.” Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Accessed January 13, 2024. https://www.samhsa.gov/medications-substance-use-disorders/medications-counseling-related-conditions/co-occurring-disorders.
• Hunt, Glenn E et al. “Prevalence of comorbid substance use in major depressive disorder in community and clinical settings, 1990-2019: Systematic review and meta- analysis.” Journal of affective disorders vol. 266 (2020): 288-304. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2020.01.141
• Parmar, Arpit, and Gaurishanker Kaloiya. “Comorbidity of Personality Disorder among Substance Use Disorder Patients: A Narrative Review.” Indian journal of psychological medicine vol. 40,6 (2018): 517-527. doi:10.4103/IJPSYM.IJPSYM_164_18
• Preuss, Ulrich W et al. “Bipolar Disorder and Comorbid Use of Illicit Substances.” Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) vol. 57,11 1256. 17 Nov. 2021, doi:10.3390/medicina57111256 Smith, Joshua P, and Sarah W Book. “Anxiety and Substance Use Disorders: A Review.” The Psychiatric times vol. 25,10 (2008): 19-23.
• Trull, Timothy J et al. “Borderline personality disorder and substance use disorders: an updated review.” Borderline personality disorder and emotion dysregulation vol. 5 15. 19 Sep. 2018, doi:10.1186/s40479-018-0093-9
• “Update on Treating Persons with Co-Occurring Disorders in the Community.” Florida Department of Children and Families. Accessed January 14, 2024. https://www.myflfamilies.com/sites/default/files/2022-11/COD%20webinar%20110712.pdf.