Co-Occurring Disorders Treatment
Co-occurring disorders, sometimes called dual diagnosis, describe a situation where addiction and mental health difficulties are present at the same time. A person might be drinking or using drugs while also living with depression, anxiety, trauma, bipolar disorder, personality difficulties, eating-disorder symptoms, or another mental health concern.
These problems often interact. Substance use may begin as a way to manage distress, sleep, memories, mood swings, shame, or social anxiety. Over time it can make symptoms worse, increase risk, and make it harder to know which problem came first. Effective treatment looks at the whole picture rather than treating addiction and mental health as separate, unrelated issues.
Types We Treat
PROMIS supports people with alcohol, drug, prescription medication, eating-disorder, and process-addiction concerns alongside mental health needs. Common presentations include alcohol use with depression or anxiety, drug use with trauma symptoms, prescription medication dependence with sleep or panic difficulties, and relapse risk linked to mood instability or unresolved stress.
Every person is assessed individually. The aim is to understand current risk, physical health, withdrawal needs, psychiatric symptoms, family context, previous treatment, and the level of support needed.
Signs & Symptoms
Psychological
Low mood, anxiety, panic, intrusive memories, shame, irritability, mood swings, hopelessness, obsessive thinking, or feeling unable to cope without alcohol, drugs, food restriction, gambling, sex, gaming, or another behaviour.
Physical
Poor sleep, appetite changes, fatigue, withdrawal symptoms, shaking, sweating, blackouts, pain, digestive problems, medication side effects, or health problems made worse by substance use.
Behavioural
Using substances or behaviours to manage emotions, repeated failed attempts to cut down, secrecy, isolation, relationship conflict, work difficulties, missed responsibilities, crisis-driven help seeking, or relapse after periods of progress.
When to Seek Specialist Help
Specialist help is important when addiction and mental health symptoms are feeding each other, when attempts to stop repeatedly lead to relapse, or when there are risks such as withdrawal, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, violence, psychosis, seizures, severe depression, or significant physical health concerns.
If there is immediate danger, call 999 or seek urgent medical care. If alcohol or sedative withdrawal may be involved, do not stop suddenly without medical advice.
How We Treat at PROMIS
PROMIS takes an integrated approach. Assessment considers addiction, mental health, physical health, trauma history, medication, relationships, and recovery environment together. Treatment may include medical review, supervised detox where required, individual therapy, group therapy, family support, relapse prevention, psychiatric input, and aftercare planning.
The goal is not simply to remove a substance or behaviour for a short time. The goal is to help the person understand what the addiction has been doing for them, treat the underlying distress where possible, build safer coping strategies, and create a realistic plan for continuing care.
Treatment Formats
Residential
Residential treatment can be appropriate when risk is higher, home life is unstable, withdrawal needs monitoring, or the person needs a protected environment to stabilise and engage with therapy.
Day Patient
Day patient care can provide structured therapeutic support while allowing the person to return home outside programme hours, where this is clinically appropriate.
Outpatient
Outpatient therapy may help people with lower risk, stable support, or continuing needs after a more intensive phase of treatment.
Aftercare
Aftercare is especially important for co-occurring disorders because relapse risk often rises when stress, mood symptoms, trauma reminders, sleep problems, or relationship pressures return. A good aftercare plan may include ongoing therapy, relapse prevention work, medication review, family support, peer support, and clear crisis steps.
Why Choose PROMIS
PROMIS has long experience treating addiction and mental health together across private residential, day patient, outpatient, detox, family, and aftercare pathways. Our London and Kent clinics offer confidential assessment and treatment planning for people whose difficulties do not fit neatly into one box.
Frequently Asked Questions
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