Co-occurring Disorders Treatment

Addiction rarely exists in isolation. Many people who struggle with drugs or alcohol are also living with a mental health disorder, and each condition can make the other worse. When a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder occur together, it is called a co-occurring disorder or dual diagnosis. At Highwater Detox, our co-occurring disorders treatment program addresses both conditions at the same time, in our private, 12-bed facility in Granada Hills, near Los Angeles, California.

How Mental Health and Addiction Are Connected

The relationship between mental health and substance use is complex. Some people begin using drugs or alcohol to cope with painful emotions or symptoms they do not know how to manage. Over time, substance use can intensify those same symptoms and create new ones. For others, long-term substance use contributes to the development of mental health problems. Regardless of which came first, the two conditions become intertwined, and effective treatment must address both.

Why Integrated Treatment Matters

Treating only one condition often leads to disappointing results. If a person completes detox but their mental health symptoms remain untreated, those symptoms can quickly drive them back to substance use. Likewise, mental health treatment is far less effective when active addiction is interfering with a person’s thinking, sleep, mood, and relationships. Integrated treatment, where both conditions are addressed together by one coordinated team, gives patients the best opportunity for stability and long-term recovery.

How Our Co-occurring Disorders Program Works

At Highwater Detox, co-occurring disorders treatment begins with a comprehensive assessment. Our medical and clinical staff evaluate each patient’s substance use, mental health history, current symptoms, and overall health. This information shapes an individualized treatment plan that brings together medical care, therapy, and counseling. Because our clinical team is available 24/7, symptoms of both conditions are monitored closely from the very first day.

Dual Diagnosis Care During Detox

For many patients, dual diagnosis care starts during medically supervised detox. Withdrawal can intensify mental health symptoms, so careful monitoring and support during this phase are essential. When clinically appropriate, Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) is used to ease withdrawal and cravings, and our medical team manages medications with both conditions in mind. Once patients are stable, they continue into residential rehab, where the deeper work of integrated treatment takes place.

Therapies for Co-occurring Disorders

Therapy is at the heart of our co-occurring disorders program. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps patients understand how their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are connected, and how negative thinking patterns can fuel both substance use and mental health symptoms. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches skills in mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, which are especially helpful for patients who experience intense emotions. Individual therapy offers space to work through personal challenges, while group therapy reminds patients they are not alone.

Addiction Counseling and Holistic Support

Addiction counseling helps patients recognize their personal triggers, including emotional triggers linked to their mental health, and develop concrete strategies for preventing relapse. Our holistic approach adds further support through yoga, massage therapy, fitness, nutritious gourmet meals, and outdoor activities, all of which can improve mood, reduce stress, and support overall wellbeing during treatment.

Length of Treatment

The length of co-occurring disorders treatment depends on each patient’s needs. Detox typically lasts 5 to 11 days, and residential rehab is available in 7, 30, 60, or 90-day programs. Because mental health and substance use recovery both take time, many dual diagnosis patients benefit from longer residential stays that allow them to build and practice new skills before returning home.

Get Help for Addiction and Mental Health Today

Highwater Detox offers 24/7 same-day admissions and accepts most major private insurance plans, including PPO, POS, and Open Access plans. Self-pay options are also available. We do not accept Medi-Cal or Medicaid. If you or a loved one is struggling with both addiction and mental health, contact our admissions team for a free, confidential consultation and insurance verification.