A dual diagnosis occurs when an individual has a mental health issue along with drug or alcohol addiction. The most common mental health issues associated with substance abuse include anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. Dual diagnosis does not exclusively apply to those with an addiction to drugs or alcohol. It can also occur in those who have “process” addictions, such as gambling addiction, food addiction, and sex addiction. 

People with addiction issues and mental illness have symptoms that overlap and create a unique situation for treatment. At its core, people are at greater risk of developing a dual diagnosis if they have the following characteristics:

• They cannot remember the last time they experienced any peace or joy without the use of substances. It is often the case that people will self-medicate with substances when confronted with sadness, depression, and isolation. If people need substances in order to find comfort, that could be a sign of a deeper issue.
• They have stress and anxiety issues that are long-standing and unresolved. While most people experience these feelings in daily life, those feelings create havoc when not addressed healthily. As a result, they may resort to drugs and alcohol to numb those feelings. While substances can provide some relief in the short term, it does not address the root cause. As a result, those feelings can blossom into a mental illness, and they may also develop a substance abuse problem.
• They may have experienced unresolved trauma in the past. The source of trauma can include a sudden death of a loved one, surviving a natural disaster, or experiencing a war-type situation, among others.
• They may come from families with a history of mental illness or addiction.