When mental health and substance use challenges occur together, they can create complex, intertwined issues that require specialized care. Our integrated approach to co-occurring disorders provides comprehensive treatment that addresses both concerns simultaneously. With our “one-stop shop” model, you receive coordinated care from a team that understands the full picture of your wellbeing, offering the best chance for lasting recovery and improved mental health.
Co-occurring disorders (also called dual diagnosis) refers to the presence of both a mental health condition and a substance use disorder simultaneously. These might include:
These combinations are extremely common—according to research, about half of people who experience a substance use disorder will also experience a mental health condition at some point in their lives, and vice versa.
The relationship between mental health and substance use is often complex and bidirectional:
This complex relationship means that treating just one condition often leads to incomplete recovery or relapse. Effective treatment requires addressing both aspects simultaneously through an integrated approach.
Historically, mental health and substance use disorders were treated separately, often by different providers in different facilities with different approaches. This fragmented care created numerous problems:
At Anuvia, our integrated approach solves these problems by providing comprehensive care under one roof, with a team that communicates effectively and understands the complex interplay between mental health and substance use.
You might be experiencing co-occurring disorders if:
Anuvia’s approach to co-occurring disorders is based on these key principles:
Truly Integrated Treatment: Rather than parallel treatment (addressing both issues separately), we provide integrated care where all providers understand and address the interactions between conditions.
Simultaneous Focus: We address both mental health and substance use concerns from the beginning of treatment, recognizing that improvement in one area supports improvement in the other.
Individualized Care Plans: We recognize that everyone’s experience with co-occurring disorders is unique, requiring personalized approaches rather than one-size-fits-all programs.
Harm Reduction Philosophy: We meet you where you are in your recovery journey, celebrating progress rather than demanding perfection.
Long-term Perspective: We understand that recovery from co-occurring disorders often involves ongoing management and support, and we provide treatment that evolves with your changing needs.
Evidence-Based Practices: We utilize therapeutic approaches with strong research support for co-occurring disorders, combining the best practices from both mental health and substance use treatment.
Trauma-Informed Care: We recognize the high prevalence of trauma in people with co-occurring disorders and ensure all our approaches are sensitive to trauma experiences.
Our “one-stop shop” model for co-occurring disorders includes:
Integrated Assessment: A thorough evaluation that examines both mental health and substance use patterns, understanding how they interact for your specific situation.
Individual Therapy: One-on-one sessions with therapists specialized in co-occurring disorders, using evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Motivational Interviewing.
Group Therapy: Specialized groups focusing on the unique challenges of managing co-occurring disorders, providing peer support and practical recovery skills.
Medication Management: Evaluation and monitoring of medications that may help manage mental health symptoms or support substance use recovery, provided by medical professionals experienced with co-occurring disorders.
Case Management: Assistance with practical needs that support recovery, such as housing, employment, legal issues, or additional community resources.
Family Involvement: Education and support for family members to help them understand co-occurring disorders and learn how to support your recovery journey.
Continuing Care Planning: Development of long-term strategies for maintaining recovery from both conditions after completing more intensive treatment.
Telehealth Options: Virtual appointments available throughout North Carolina for those who prefer receiving support from home.
Treatment for co-occurring disorders at Anuvia follows a personalized path based on your specific needs:
Initial Assessment: Your first appointments focus on understanding both your mental health and substance use history, current symptoms, and goals. This comprehensive assessment helps us develop a treatment plan that addresses the unique interaction of your conditions.
Stabilization: Early treatment often focuses on establishing safety and stability, which might include addressing withdrawal symptoms, managing acute mental health symptoms, or creating safety plans.
Active Treatment: Once basic stability is established, treatment addresses underlying factors contributing to both conditions, develops coping skills, and builds recovery strategies. This phase typically includes:
Maintenance and Continuing Care: As recovery progresses, treatment focuses on relapse prevention, long-term management strategies, and continuing to build a fulfilling life in recovery.
Throughout this process, your treatment team coordinates closely to ensure all aspects of care work together cohesively. Regular reviews of your progress help us adjust the approach based on what’s working and what challenges remain.
Choosing Anuvia for co-occurring disorders treatment offers several important advantages:
Expertise in Both Areas: Our clinical team has specialized training and experience in both mental health and substance use treatment, ensuring you receive knowledgeable care for both conditions.
Coordinated Care Team: All your providers work together, share information (with your permission), and make decisions collaboratively, eliminating the fragmentation common in separate treatment systems.
Consistent Treatment Philosophy: Rather than receiving potentially conflicting messages from different providers, you’ll experience a consistent, cohesive approach across all aspects of your care.
Simplified Logistics: One location, one intake process, one treatment team, and coordinated appointments reduce the practical barriers to receiving comprehensive care.
Comprehensive Support: From therapy to medication management to practical assistance with life challenges, all your recovery needs can be addressed in one place.
Community Connection: Treatment at Anuvia connects you with a community of people working on similar challenges, reducing isolation and building mutual support.
We accept most insurance plans, including Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance. Co-occurring disorders treatment is typically covered similarly to other mental health and substance use services.
If you don’t have insurance or are concerned about costs, remember that Anuvia is committed to ensuring that no one is turned away due to inability to pay. We offer sliding scale payment options and can discuss ways to make treatment affordable and accessible.
Living with co-occurring disorders can feel overwhelming, but effective, integrated treatment can make a tremendous difference. Many people who once felt caught in a cycle of mental health struggles and substance use now lead fulfilling lives in recovery.
The journey begins with reaching out for help from a provider equipped to address both aspects of your experience. At Anuvia, we offer the comprehensive care, expertise, and compassionate support needed to address co-occurring disorders effectively.
Ready to begin your recovery journey? Call us today at (704) 376-7447 or visit our website to book an initial appointment. Same-day appointments are often available, and we welcome walk-ins at our Charlotte location.
Signs of Co-occurring Disorders