Dual Diagnosis Rehab Treatment Centers in Florida

What is a Dual Diagnosis?

 A dual diagnosis, or co-occurring disorder, is when someone suffers from two or more disorders or illnesses at the same time. In the realm of addiction treatment, this typically means that someone suffers from two or more mental health conditions simultaneously, such as a substance use disorder and major depressive disorder.¹

The terms comorbidity, dual diagnosis, and co-occurring disorder have been used interchangeably throughout different times and mediums. Although all three terms will be referenced throughout this page, co-occurring disorder is the term most recognized in the academic world for this phenomenon and the addiction treatment community tends to prefer this wording.

Many individuals with a substance use disorder develop other mental illnesses.¹ Similarly, there are many individuals diagnosed with a mental illness who are also diagnosed with a substance use disorder.¹ The interactions between the two illnesses or disorders can worsen the progression of the other, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that one causes the onset of the other.¹

Co-occurring mental health disorders may include, but are not limited to:

• Attention-deficit disorder (ADHD).²
• Anxiety²
• Bipolar disorder.²
• Schizophrenia.²
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).³
• Conduct disorders.³
• Major depressive disorders.³

Signs of a Co-Occurring Disorder

Only medical professionals can accurately diagnose a co-occurring disorder, such as one that may include anxiety or depression, as well as determine the need for treatment. However, there are signs that may indicate that you should seek help for each one.

Because there are a variety of co-occurring disorders, symptoms can vary from one individual to the next.⁶  Substance use disorder symptoms may include:⁶

• Feeling like you need a substance to be able to function.
• Withdrawal from loved ones.
• Developing withdrawal symptoms.
• Developing a high tolerance to yours substance of choice.
• Abrupt changes in behavior.
• Partaking in risky behaviors.

Professional dual diagnosis treatment can:⁷

• Improve quality of life.
• Increase chance of recovery for both disorders.
• Reduce/discontinue substance use.
• Decrease hospitalization.
• Reduce medication interactions.
• Improve psychiatric symptoms.
• Yield fewer arrests.
• Increase housing stability.

Take Our Substance Abuse Self-Assessment

Take our free, 5-minute substance abuse self-assessment below if you think you or someone you love might be struggling with substance abuse. The evaluation consists of 11 yes or no questions that are intended to be used as an informational tool to assess the severity and probability of a substance use disorder. The test is free, confidential, and no personal information is needed to receive the result.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Florida

What to Expect in Florida Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers

There are a variety of treatment options available in the state of Florida to treat individuals with co-occurring disorders.

Treatment options include the following:

• Outpatient treatment. Individuals are able to continue with their personal responsibilities (e.g., family, job) while attending treatment for a specified number of days per week for a specified amount of time each day. They are able to return home after treatment each day.
• Inpatient treatment. Individuals remain in a facility 24/7 for 30 or 90 days with access to round the clock care.
• Partial hospitalization treatment. This is a type of outpatient program created for the diagnosis or active treatment of a serious mental disorder. It’s helpful to prevent full hospitalization, relapse, and to maintain an individual’s functional level.⁸

Therapies for co-occurring disorder treatment may include, but are not limited to:

• Dialectical behavior therapy. Acquire new skills and how to apply them in the real world; accept things you cannot change; increase motivation.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy. Determine and alter negative thinking patterns and behaviors; learn to live a happier, healthier life.
• Medication-assisted treatment. Specific medications aid in the reduction of cravings and as a preventative measure from getting high should you relapse.

Is Dual Diagnosis Treatment Covered by Insurance?

Many patients use health insurance to pay for co-occurring disorder, but it can depend on a number of factors whether a particular co-occurring disorder treatment is covered.

These factors may include:

• Your health insurance provider.
• Your specific health insurance plan.
• The treatment center you choose.
• The services you need.

Medicaid & Medicare Coverage of Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Florida

Medicaid and Medicare may cover co-occurring disorder treatment in Florida. You can check with your insurance provider to see how much coverage you have. You may also check with a rehab center of your choosing to determine if their insurance benefits can be applied to the cost of your treatment at their facility.

How to Choose the Best Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center 

There are certain factors that you may want to consider when seeking treatment options at a dual-diagnosis rehab, or more specifically, for rehabs in Florida that specifically incorporate co-occurring disorder treatment.

Questions to ask your potential facility:

• Does the facility accept the health insurance provider you use?
• Does the facility employ staff experienced in treating substance use disorders as well as mental health conditions?
• Do the facility/physicians/therapists apply a variety of therapy modalities? For example, motivational interventions and behavioral therapies.
• Do the physicians assess my specific needs to determine a unique treatment program for me? For example, inpatient or outpatient care, the length of stay (30,60, or 90 days).
• Does the facility offer specialized programs created for specific groups? For example, veterans, the LGBTQ community, or first responders.
• Does the facility offer aftercare support?

Sources

1. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018). Comorbidity: substance use disorders and other mental illnesses DrugFacts.
2. National Institute of Mental Health. (Nd). Substance use and co-occurring mental disorders.
3. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2022). Co-occurring disorders and other health conditions.
4. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2017). Behavioral health barometer.
5. Florida Health Charts. (2021). Focus on behavioral health.
6. National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2020). Substance use disorders.
7. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2022).  Co-occurring disorders.
8. National Library of Medicine. (1990). Definition of partial hospitalization.
9. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020). Common comorbidities with substance use disorders research report.