Co-occurring disorders—also called dual diagnosis—refer to the presence of both a substance use disorder and a mental health condition.
In psychiatric care, these conditions are not treated separately. Anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and substance use frequently interact, reinforce one another, and complicate recovery when not addressed together.
This hub brings together educational articles written from a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) perspective, exploring how psychiatry differentiates substance-induced symptoms from primary mental health disorders, identifies diagnostic overlap, and creates integrated treatment plans that improve outcomes.
The content here is educational and reflects the psychiatric framework used in care at Arizona Mental Wellness. It does not replace individual medical evaluation.
When Co-Occurring Disorders Require Clinical Care
If substance use is occurring alongside anxiety, depression, trauma, mood instability, or cognitive changes, psychiatric support may be appropriate. Integrated treatment improves outcomes, reduces relapse risk, and supports long-term stability.
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