At CooperRiis, someone has a “dual diagnosis” if they have been diagnosed with both a mental health disorder and a substance abuse disorder. There are many kinds of substance abuse disorders, including addictions to/dependencies on alcohol or drugs and addictions to processes/behaviors such as gambling, sex, watching porn, watching television, playing video games, and spending money. It can be challenging for someone with a dual diagnosis to receive the help they need because: A previous misdiagnosis can lead them to pursue treatment that is not effective for them. Substance abuse symptoms can veil symptoms of mental illness. Symptoms of mental illness can be easily confused with symptoms of addiction. Symptoms of mental illness and substance abuse can interact and create complex medical histories. Some individuals diagnosed with a mental health disorder do not realize or believe that their substance use is related to their diagnosis. For those with dual diagnoses, addressing both their mental health conditions and their addictions/dependencies together is of the utmost importance. That is why we’ve created an integrated model of care for dual diagnosis residential support at CooperRiis.  Please note, we are not a dual diagnosis specialized program, we are a primary mental health program and therefore can only offer support to someone who has a history of a dual diagnosis. We cannot treat a primary substance use disorder. We require prior addiction treatment for someone with a history of dual diagnosis, and that they have abstained from substances for 60-90 days before considering admission to our program.  Dual Diagnosis Statistics: About one-third of all people experiencing mental health issues and about one-half of people living with severe mental health issues also experience substance abuse. Around one-third of all those who abuse alcohol and more than one-half of all those who use drugs report experiences of mental illness. Men are more likely to develop co-occurring disorders than women. Individuals of lower socioeconomic status, military veterans, and people with physical illnesses are at higher risk of developing a substance abuse disorder in addition to mental health conditions.