Co-occurring Disorders
Treating the Whole Person, Not Just the Symptom
Addiction rarely travels alone. For many individuals, substance use is inextricably linked with mental health challenges like depression, anxiety, or trauma. When these two conditions exist at the same time, it is clinically referred to as a Co-Occurring Disorder or Dual Diagnosis.
At The Tikvah Center, we understand that trying to treat an addiction without addressing the underlying mental health issue is like trying to put out a fire while leaving the gas line running. We believe in Integrated Care: treating both conditions simultaneously, under one roof, to ensure a recovery that lasts.
What is a Co-Occurring Disorder?
A Co-Occurring Disorder exists when a person struggles with a Substance Use Disorder (or behavioral addiction) and a mental health disorder at the same time.
The relationship between the two is often complex and cyclical:
- Self-Medication: Someone struggling with untreated anxiety may drink alcohol to calm their nerves.
- Substance-Induced Symptoms: Chronic drug use can alter brain chemistry, mimicking or triggering symptoms of depression or psychosis.
Common combinations we treat include:
- Alcohol & Depression: Using alcohol to numb sadness, which chemically deepens the depression.
- Benzodiazepines & Anxiety: Using Xanax or Valium to cope with panic attacks, leading to physical dependence.
- Stimulants & ADHD: Using cocaine or amphetamines to manage focus or energy levels.
- Opioids & PTSD: Using painkillers to numb emotional trauma or flashbacks.
How We Treat Dual Diagnosis
In the past, addiction and mental health were treated in separate clinics. This old model often failed because the root causes were ignored. We use an Integrated Treatment Model, addressing the bio-psycho-social-spiritual needs of the client all at once.
1. Accurate Diagnosis
The first step is untangling the knot. Is the depression caused by the drinking, or is the drinking caused by the depression? Our psychiatric team observes you during a period of abstinence to determine your baseline mental health and provide an accurate diagnosis.
2. Proper Psychiatric Care
For many with co-occurring disorders, medication is a vital tool. We work with outside psychiatrists in the event they prescribe non-addictive medications to manage mood disorders, anxiety, or psychosis, stabilizing the brain so that therapy can be effective.
3. Specialized Therapy
We use modalities specifically designed for dual diagnosis:
- DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy): Highly effective for emotional regulation and distress tolerance.
- CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy): Connecting thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
- Trauma Therapy: Safely processing the past without needing substances to numb the pain.
4. The Spiritual Perspective: Refuat HaNefesh (Healing of the Soul)
In the Jewish prayer for healing, we ask for Refuat HaNefesh (healing of the soul/mind) alongside Refuat HaGuf (healing of the body). We view mental health challenges not as spiritual failings, but as genuine medical needs that deserve compassion, expertise, and prayer.
FAQs
Browse answers to popular questions. Don't see what you are looking for? Contact us!
We treat a wide range of disorders, including Bipolar Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, and Generalized Anxiety. However, we are an open-door facility (not a locked ward). If a client is actively psychotic or a danger to themselves or others, they may need a higher level of acute psychiatric stabilization before admitting to our program.
It can be more complex, but it is entirely possible. With the right combination of medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes, people with Dual Diagnoses live full, happy, and sober lives.
Yes. There is a dangerous myth in some recovery circles that you aren't "sober" if you take antidepressants or mood stabilizers. We strongly disagree. Taking prescribed medication for a legitimate mental health condition is responsible medical care. We strictly manage these medications to ensure they are safe and non-abuseable.
We treat them both simultaneously. Treating only the addiction leaves the mental health issue as a trigger for relapse. Treating only the mental health issue is impossible if the patient is intoxicated. Effective recovery requires addressing both issues in tandem.
No. Our center is a judgment-free zone open to Jews of all backgrounds—secular, reform, conservative, or orthodox—as well as non-Jewish individuals seeking high-quality care. We respect where you are in your spiritual journey.
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