Dual Diagnosis: Understanding and Treating Co-Occurring Disorders

Dual diagnosis involves experiencing a mental health condition and addiction to drugs or alcohol simultaneously. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, these co-occurring disorders are more common than many people realize. They often feed into one another in ways that make recovery more complex. But with the right help, healing is possible.

We Level Up Washington rehabilitation treatment center provides levels of care that address both conditions. We know that treating one without the other is rarely effective for sustained recovery.

If you or a loved one is struggling, this guide is here to help you understand what dual diagnosis means, how it’s treated, and where to find support in Spokane Valley and surrounding areas.

What Is Dual Diagnosis?

Dual diagnosis refers to having both a mental health disorder, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, or bipolar disorder, and a substance use disorder, like alcohol, opioid, or stimulant addiction, formally defined as dual diagnosis.

These conditions are deeply intertwined.

For example, someone with untreated anxiety may use alcohol or benzodiazepines to calm their nerves. Over time, this can lead to physical dependency and make the anxiety worse. In turn, the substance use masks the root cause, making recovery difficult without professional support; thus, dual diagnosis treatment centers can help you.

Common Mental Health Disorders in Dual Diagnosis

• Depression
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Bipolar Disorder
• Schizophrenia

Common Substance Use Disorders

• Alcohol Use Disorder
• Opioid Use Disorder
• Cocaine or stimulant use
• Prescription drug misuse

According to the National Library of Medicine, about 50% of individuals with a mental health disorder will also experience a substance use disorder during their lives.

Why Dual Diagnosis Happens

There is no single cause of dual diagnosis. Instead, several factors can contribute:

1. Shared Risk Factors

Trauma, family history, genetics, brain chemistry, and chronic stress can increase the risk of both mental illness and addiction.

2. Self-Medication

Using substances like alcohol, opioids, or marijuana as coping skills for mental health symptoms can feel like relief at first. But over time, this strategy leads to dependency and worsens emotional well-being.

3. Substance-Induced Mental Illness

With prolonged alcohol or stimulant consumption, chronic substance use may instigate mental health symptoms. Such symptoms can resemble conditions such as depression or psychosis and may require clinical assistance to diagnose.

Signs and Symptoms of Dual Diagnosis

Recognizing a dual diagnosis can be hard, especially since symptoms of mental illness and substance use overlap. But here are some signs that someone might be dealing with both:

Emotional and Mental Symptoms

• Severe mood swings
• Anxiety or panic attacks
• Irritability or anger
• Feelings of hopelessness
• Difficulty concentrating

Behavioral and Physical Symptoms

• Drinking or using drugs to cope with emotions
• Isolation from friends or family
• Legal or financial issues
• Risky behaviors or poor decision-making
• Withdrawal symptoms when not using

If you notice these signs in yourself or someone you love, it may be time to consider dual diagnosis treatment.

Benefit area	What it means	Short‑term focus	Long‑term effect on recovery	Long‑term effect on daily life	Long‑term effect on relationships
Increased long‑term sobriety	Treating substance use and mental health together so one does not trigger the other.	Stabilizing withdrawal, cravings, and acute mental health symptoms at the same time.	Fewer relapses over the years because underlying depression, anxiety, or trauma are also addressed.	More predictable routines, fewer crises, and more time spent sober and productive.	Loved ones experience fewer broken promises and crises, which slowly rebuilds trust.
Better mental health stability	Reducing mood swings, panic, trauma symptoms, or psychosis that fuel substance use.	Finding the right mix of therapy and, when needed, medications to calm acute symptoms.	Longer periods of emotional stability and fewer psychiatric emergencies over time.	More consistent sleep, energy, and focus, making work, school, and self‑care easier.	Family and friends feel safer and less overwhelmed, improving communication and support.
Higher quality of life	Improving overall functioning, purpose, and satisfaction with life.	Restoring basic structure: sleep, meals, hygiene, and showing up for appointments.	Gradual return to goals like education, work, hobbies, and financial stability.	Life feels less about “surviving” and more about growing, planning, and enjoying activities.	Healthier roles in the family (parent, partner, friend) and more equal, respectful dynamics.
Stronger coping and relapse prevention	Building healthy ways to handle stress, cravings, and difficult emotions.	Learning specific tools (grounding, thought‑challenging, trigger plans) and practicing them in treatment.	Coping skills become automatic habits that protect recovery during major stressors.	Greater confidence in handling setbacks without turning to substances or self‑destructive behaviors.	Conflicts are handled with communication instead of explosive reactions, avoidance, or using.
Better social support and community	Creating a network of people who understand both addiction and mental health.	Joining groups, support meetings, or peer programs connected to dual diagnosis care.	A stable support system that can last for many years, even after formal treatment ends.	Less isolation and shame, more connection and belonging in supportive communities.	Loved ones and peers encourage healthy choices and help notice warning signs early.
Reduced crises and greater independence	Fewer ER visits, arrests, hospitalizations, and chaotic situations.	Stabilizing safety risks and putting a structured care plan in place.	Over time, fewer acute crises mean more steady progress instead of repeated “starting over.”	Increased ability to live independently, manage money, maintain housing, and keep commitments.	Relationships feel less dominated by emergencies, allowing more normal, enjoyable time together.

How Dual Diagnosis Is Diagnosed

At We Level Up Washington rehabilitation center, we conduct a comprehensive assessment to determine whether a client is experiencing a dual diagnosis. This includes:

• Physical and mental health evaluations
• Substance use history
• Psychological testing, if needed
• Collaboration with psychiatric professionals

Using tools such as the DSM-5 criteria, our clinicians carefully identify whether symptoms stem from mental illness, substance use, or both.

Why Integrated Treatment Is Essential

Treating mental health and addiction separately doesn’t work. Dual diagnosis treatment programs involve addressing both conditions together, under one coordinated treatment plan.

According to the National Library of Medicine, integrated treatment for co-occurring disorders leads to better outcomes, including lower relapse rates, improved psychiatric stability, and stronger long-term recovery.

Our Integrated Approach Includes

• Medically supervised detox, when needed
• Individual therapy using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
• Medication management
• Trauma-informed care
• Peer support groups and 12-step alternatives
• Nutrition and wellness support
• Aftercare and relapse prevention planning

Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Washington State

If you’re seeking treatment at dual diagnosis treatment centers in Washington state, it’s important to find a facility that provides both mental health and addiction care. Our Spokane Valley location offers a supportive, therapeutic setting designed to treat the whole person.

We help clients from:

• Spokane and Spokane Valley
• Liberty Lake
• Cheney, WA
• Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

If you’re searching for dual diagnosis treatment centers near you, our admissions team can help you explore your options.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where in Spokane Valley, Washington, can you find dual diagnosis treatment?

We Level Up Washington provides dual diagnosis treatment in Spokane Valley, including detox from alcohol or drugs, residential mental health treatment, therapy, and aftercare services.

Are there dual diagnosis centers near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho?

Yes, many clients from Coeur d’Alene seek care at our Spokane Valley facility or through our referral network of providers offering co-occurring disorder treatment.

Do you serve clients from Cheney or Liberty Lake?

Absolutely. We support individuals from Cheney, Liberty Lake, and nearby communities with full-service mental health and treatment options.

What if I’m not sure whether I have a dual diagnosis?

We offer free assessments. If you’re unsure whether you need an addiction treatment program, mental health, or both, our team can help you gain clarity and find the best path forward.

Supporting a Loved One With Dual Diagnosis

If someone you love is facing a dual diagnosis, you might feel helpless. But your support can be life-changing. Here’s how to help:

• Encourage them to seek professional treatment
• Avoid judgment or shame
• Learn about their conditions
• Attend family therapy or support groups
• Take care of your own mental health too

Family involvement is a key factor in long-term recovery support. Involving loved ones in care improves outcomes and strengthens support networks.

What Comes Next?

Dual diagnosis is complex, but recovery is possible. With compassionate care, clinical expertise, and a plan tailored to your needs, healing begins.

Whether you’re just starting to seek help or looking for the next step after detox, we’re here to support you. At our dual diagnosis treatment facility, We Level Up Washington, you’re not alone.

Call today to speak with our team and learn more about our programs.We Level Up Washington: your next step starts here.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

5 External .gov Medical Sources Supporting This Topic

1. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) – Co-Occurring Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders
     (Describes dual diagnosis in veterans and the VA’s integrated treatment programs.)
2. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) – Co-Occurring Disorders
     (Official government resource explaining dual diagnosis, treatment approaches, and recovery programs.)
   
3. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) – Common Comorbidities with Substance Use Disorders
     (Research on the overlap between mental illness and addiction.)
   
4. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) – Substance Use and Mental Health
    (Explains how mental disorders and substance misuse interact.)
   
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Mental Health and Substance Use
     (Provides data and prevention information related to co-occurring disorders.)
   

Call today to speak with our team and learn more about our programs. We Level Up Washington: (509) 348-4077. Your next step starts here.