Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers in Nevada

What Is Dual Diagnosis?

More commonly referred to as co-occurring disorders, a dual diagnosis describes a condition in which a person has both substance use disorder and another mental health condition.¹

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), in 2022, over 21.5 million people aged 18 or older were diagnosed with a co-occurring substance use disorder and an mental illness in the past year.³ Clearly it’s not uncommon for substance use and mental health disorders to occur together. However, some mental health conditions are more commonly seen in substance use disorder treatment. These include:⁴

Some dual-diagnosis mental health conditions are more common than others in people who are also living with substance use disorder, including:³

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
• Anxiety and other mood disorders.
• Bipolar disorder.
• Conduct disorders.
• Major depressive disorder.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Schizophrenia.

If you’re living with a substance use disorder and a mental health condition in Nevada, you’re not alone. Recent statistics show that the prevalence of both addiction and mental health disorders are common in that state:^5,6

• In 2021, 7,793 individuals aged 12 or older sought substance use treatment in Nevada.
• Of those, 591 received treatment for alcohol addiction, 616 sought treatment for marijuana addiction, and 1,109 went to rehab for methamphetamine addiction.
• On March 31, 2020, of the 11,447 individuals in substance use treatment programs in Nevada on that day, 8,146 of them were diagnosed with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.

Signs That Someone Needs Dual Diagnosis Treatment

If you or someone you love is living with a substance use disorder and a mental health condition, it can be difficult to tell the difference between the two conditions, considering there can be significant overlap among the symptoms of each.^7-9 Therefore, a mental health diagnosis should be made while you’re abstinent and free from any substances in your system.⁷

While every mental health disorder carries its own list of symptoms, there are some general signs that indicate the possibility of a mental health condition.⁸ And clinicians use the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5^th Edition (DSM-5), to diagnose substance use disorders.

Signs of a Mental Health Disorder

Signs of mental health disorders can vary from person to person and from one mental health condition to the next. However, some of the common signs of mental illness in adults include:⁸

• Extreme mood changes.
• Withdrawal from family, friends, and activities.
• Detachment from reality (such as experiencing hallucinations).
• Inability to understand or relate to others.
• Major changes in eating habits.
• Inability to fulfill daily activities or handle daily problems or stress.
• Excessive fear or worry.
• Changes in sleeping habits.
• Suicidal thoughts.

If you believe a loved one needs help for a mental health condition, talk to them honestly about your concerns. Encourage them to reach out to a mental healthcare professional to receive an evaluation.⁸

Signs of a Substance Use Disorder

A substance use disorder can only be diagnosed by a healthcare professional, who uses the criteria in the DSM-5 to assess the probability and severity of a substance use disorder. It can, however, be helpful to know the criteria, some of which include:⁹

• Using more of the substance than initially intended.
• Unable to stop using the substance despite wanting to do so or trying repeatedly and failing.
• Failure to fulfill obligations at school, work, or home.
• Using substances in situations where it’s physically hazardous, such as driving under the influence.
• Continuing to use the substance despite it causing or worsening mental or physical health conditions.
• Spending a lot of time obtaining, using, or recovering from substance use.
• Needing increased doses to achieve the desired effect or the same amount no longer has the same effect.
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when substance use is stopped or drastically reduced.

What to Expect in Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Nevada

In Nevada, there are 53 substance use treatment facilities that offer services for co-occurring addiction and mental health conditions, which means that both disorders are treated concurrently for the most effective outcomes.^1,10 An integrated care plan for dual diagnosis can consist of a wide variety of treatment methods, individualized based on each person’s unique needs.

Treatment may include one or more levels of care, including:^11,12

• Detoxification. During medically managed detox, your care team works with you to help you safely get drugs or alcohol out of your body. If possible, your team may offer assistance in the form of medication to help you manage your withdrawal symptoms. While the withdrawal process can be hard, it’s often the first step in a more comprehensive treatment plan that may include inpatient care or outpatient programs.
• Outpatient treatment. Outpatient programs allow you to receive individual and group counseling, behavioral therapies, psychoeducation, and medication (if necessary) but then return home or to a sober living environment at the end of each day. Outpatient programs vary in duration and intensity. Some require several hours of treatment at the facility each day; others provide services a couple of hours each week.
• Inpatient treatment. During inpatient rehab, you’ll live at the care facility and have access to 24/7 care and support as well as individual and group counseling, behavioral interventions, psychoeducation, medication, and more.
• Aftercare. Aftercare, sometimes called ongoing care, is the plan you have in place after you complete a formal treatment program to aid you in your lasting recovery. Aftercare plans may consist of 12-Step meetings, continuing counseling, group therapy, and other resources to help you in your long-term sobriety.

The goal of an integrated approach to treat co-occurring disorders is to help you learn how to maintain sobriety as well as manage the symptoms of your mental health condition. Integrated treatment may utilize multiple therapeutic techniques that have proven effective in the treatment of mental health and substance use disorders. These may include:^11-13

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT provides you with the tools necessary to examine your thoughts and beliefs before taking an action (such as choosing to use your substance of choice).
• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). DBT, a type of talk therapy, has proven effective in the treatment of borderline personality disorder by reducing negative behaviors, such as self-harm, substance use, and suicidal behavior.
• Contingency management. Contingency management provides small incentives for desirable, positive behaviors, such as a clean drug test.
• Mutual-help groups. Some 12-Step programs are tailored to individuals with co-occurring disorders—such as Dual Diagnosis Anonymous.

Does Insurance Cover Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Nevada?

Your insurance may cover some or all of your drug and alcohol dual diagnosis treatment. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) changed how insurance plans cover treatment for substance use and mental health disorders.¹⁴ The ACA ensures that treatment for substance use and mental health disorders is considered an essential health benefit, which requires coverage similar to coverage provided for other medical and surgical benefits.¹⁵

In Nevada, 44 of the facilities that offer co-occurring treatment accept private health insurance.¹⁰

Using Medicare or Medicaid for Dual Diagnosis Rehab in Nevada

There are 24 substance use treatment facilities in Nevada that offer treatment for co-occurring disorders and also accept Medicare; 45 of them take Medicaid.¹⁰

How to Find Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Nevada

If you’re living with substance use disorder and a mental health condition, it’s important to find an integrated treatment program, which is the standard of care for treating co-occurring disorders. This ensures that the therapies meet your needs and conditions and generally take place in the same setting.¹⁶

Other things to consider before choosing a program include:¹⁶

• Specific services for co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. You’ll want to ensure that the facility you choose staffs physicians, therapists, counselors, psychologists, and other clinicians who are experienced in assessing, evaluating, and treating various mental health conditions as well as substance use disorders.
• A variety of therapy modalities. Research indicates that counseling, behavioral therapies, motivational interventions, and ongoing support can be effective in treating certain mental health conditions and substance use disorder, too.
• Different levels of care. The right level of care for you depends on several factors, including the severity of the substance use disorder and your mental health condition.
• Aftercare support. Choose a facility that provides some sort of ongoing support to help you prevent relapse and sustain recovery after your formal treatment program ends.
• Specialized programs if that’s important to you. Besides offering co-occurring treatment, some facilities provide programs for specific populations, such as Veterans or members of the LGBTQ+ community.
• Insurance coverage. If you plan to pay with insurance, you should ensure that the facility accepts your plan and is in-network with your provider.

At American Addiction Centers’ (AAC) Desert Hope Treatment Center, in Las Vegas, Nevada, our integrated treatment approach for co-occurring disorders can help you understand how to effectively manage your mental health symptoms while learning how to change your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that lead to substance use. Call to speak to one of our compassionate and knowledgeable admissions navigators, who can listen to your story, answer your questions, explain your options, and help you get started on your path to recovery.