National Addiction Treatment CentersThe Short Answer
Co-occurring disorders means that a person has both a substance use disorder and another mental health condition at the same time. SAMHSA explains that these conditions commonly occur together and that integrated treatment addressing both is an important part of care. NIDA likewise describes substance use and mental health conditions as often intertwined, and official sources recommend that services consider the whole person.
Key Points
- SAMHSA defines co-occurring disorders as the presence of both a substance use disorder and a mental health condition.
- SAMHSA states that co-occurring disorders are common and should be expected rather than treated as rare exceptions.
- Integrated treatment, which addresses both conditions together, is described by SAMHSA as a key approach.
- NIDA notes that effective treatment often needs to address multiple needs of the person rather than a single condition.
- SAMHSA and NIDA both describe evidence-based behavioural therapies and other supports as part of treatment.
- SAMHSA's 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline describes a support resource for people in crisis.
What Co-Occurring Disorders Are
SAMHSA describes co-occurring disorders as the combination of a substance use disorder and one or more mental health conditions in the same person. The conditions can interact, making each harder to address on its own. SAMHSA notes that this combination is common among people seeking treatment for either condition.
Recognising the overlap is the first step toward care that addresses both.
Why Integrated Treatment Matters
SAMHSA describes integrated treatment, which brings services for mental health and substance use together, as an important part of care for co-occurring disorders. Rather than treating each condition in isolation, integrated care considers how they affect each other. NIDA similarly notes that treatment should address the whole person's needs.
This approach is described in official sources as a way to provide more complete care.
How Treatment May Be Organised
SAMHSA's treatment options overview describes various settings and services for substance use disorders, and these can be adapted for people with co-occurring conditions. NIDA explains that behavioural therapies and other evidence-based approaches make up the core of treatment. Asking whether a program screens for and addresses both conditions is a general way to compare services.
Crisis Support
SAMHSA's 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline describes a confidential service for people experiencing emotional distress or a mental health crisis. For people with co-occurring disorders, knowing that immediate support exists is part of the broader picture of help described by official sources. The lifeline complements but does not replace ongoing treatment.
FindTreatment.gov can help locate services in a given area.
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Sources
This guide summarises these official sources. Check them for the latest guidance.
- Co-Occurring Disorders and Other Health Conditions (SAMHSA): https://www.samhsa.gov/substance-use/treatment/co-occurring-disorders
- Treatment (National Institute on Drug Abuse): https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/treatment
- Treatment and Recovery (National Institute on Drug Abuse): https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/treatment-recovery
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (SAMHSA): https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/988
- Treatment Options for Substance Use Disorders (SAMHSA): https://www.samhsa.gov/substance-use/treatment/options
- FindTreatment.gov (SAMHSA): https://findtreatment.gov/
About This Guide
This guide is general information from official sources, not medical or legal advice. Ask a doctor, your insurer or the program itself about your own situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a dual diagnosis?
Dual diagnosis is another term often used to describe co-occurring disorders, where a person has both a substance use disorder and a mental health condition. SAMHSA describes these conditions as common and notes that they can interact in ways that complicate treatment. Official sources emphasise that care should recognise and address both conditions together.
Can mental health and substance use be treated together?
Yes, official sources describe treating both conditions together, often called integrated treatment, as an important part of care. SAMHSA explains that integrated services address mental health and substance use at the same time, and NIDA notes that treatment should meet a person's multiple needs. FindTreatment.gov can help identify programs that provide such services.