Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Los Angeles
An estimated 9.5 million adults in the United States experience both a mental illness and a substance use disorder simultaneously. Treating only the addiction — without addressing the underlying mental health condition — is the most common reason people relapse.
Source: SAMHSA National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2023What Is Dual Diagnosis?
Dual diagnosis — also called co-occurring disorders — refers to the simultaneous presence of a substance use disorder and a mental health condition. Common pairings include depression and alcohol use disorder, PTSD and opioid addiction, anxiety and benzodiazepine dependence, ADHD and stimulant misuse, and bipolar disorder and substance use of any kind.
Dual diagnosis is the rule, not the exception: research suggests that more than 50% of people with significant addiction also have a co-occurring mental health condition — and that the mental health condition often precedes the substance use, as individuals self-medicate untreated symptoms.
Why Does Mental Health Matter in Addiction Treatment?
Treating addiction without addressing underlying mental health conditions is like treating a wound without cleaning it — the surface may appear to heal, but the underlying cause remains. People who receive treatment only for their substance use disorder without mental health support relapse at significantly higher rates than those who receive integrated dual diagnosis care.
Programs in our referral network staff licensed therapists, psychiatrists, and substance use counselors who collaborate on integrated treatment plans — addressing both the addiction and its underlying drivers simultaneously.
What Conditions Do Network Programs Treat Alongside Addiction?
Dual diagnosis programs in our referral network treat co-occurring conditions including:
- Major depressive disorder
- Generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder
- PTSD and complex trauma
- Bipolar disorder (I and II)
- Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Schizophrenia spectrum disorders
If you've been diagnosed with one of these conditions and are struggling with substance use — or if you've never been formally diagnosed but suspect an underlying condition — the clinical intake process at the program includes a comprehensive psychiatric assessment.
How Is Dual Diagnosis Treatment Different?
Standard addiction treatment focuses primarily on the substance use and its behavioral consequences. Dual diagnosis treatment layers in psychiatric care — medication evaluation and management, trauma-informed therapy modalities (such as EMDR and CPT for PTSD), DBT skills training for emotional regulation, and coordination between addiction and mental health clinicians.
Treatment plans are individualized: a patient with PTSD and opioid addiction will have a very different program than someone with depression and alcohol dependence, even though both are technically 'dual diagnosis.'
Can Trauma Be Treated at the Same Time as Addiction?
Yes — and for many people, trauma treatment is the most critical component of lasting recovery. Unprocessed trauma is among the most powerful drivers of substance use, particularly for opioids, alcohol, and benzodiazepines. Clinicians at programs in our network are trained in trauma-informed modalities including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and, where appropriate, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
The pace is yours. Trauma work is not forced, and the clinical team at the program will assess readiness carefully before introducing trauma processing modalities.
Does Insurance Cover Dual Diagnosis Treatment in California?
Under California's SB 855, commercial insurers must cover medically necessary treatment for mental health and substance use disorders under equal terms. Dual diagnosis treatment — which by definition involves both a psychiatric condition and a substance use disorder — is covered under this mandate. Call (213) 436-1435 to verify your specific benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have a dual diagnosis?
A formal dual diagnosis requires evaluation by a licensed clinician or psychiatrist. Common signs include: substance use that seems to manage a persistent mood or anxiety problem; mental health symptoms that persist even during periods of sobriety; a family history of mental illness; childhood trauma or adverse experiences. Intake assessments at the programs in our network include a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation.
What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a therapist?
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can prescribe and manage medications for mental health conditions. A therapist (licensed counselor, LCSW, MFT, or psychologist) provides talk therapy and behavioral interventions. Effective dual diagnosis treatment typically requires both.