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Dual diagnosis treatment centre
At CC Adicciones, we provide specialised care for patients with dual diagnosis, that is, those who suffer from an addiction to substances or behaviours alongside an associated mental disorder.
These cases require differentiated, personalised care, with a longer therapeutic plan and constant medical monitoring by our team.
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What is dual diagnosis?
Dual diagnosis occurs when a person simultaneously suffers from a substance use disorder (alcohol, drugs or other addictions) and a mental disorder such as depression, anxiety, psychotic disorders or personality disorders.
The interaction between both conditions can make diagnosis and treatment more difficult, so it is essential to go to a specialised centre in dual diagnosis that addresses both problems in a comprehensive way.
Treatment for patients with dual diagnosis
Treating dual diagnosis requires a flexible approach tailored to each case. At CC Adicciones, we carry out a thorough diagnostic assessment to identify the type of mental disorder linked to the addiction and design a personalised therapeutic plan.
Our treatment combines:
- Individual and group psychological intervention, focused on awareness of the problem and emotional management.
- Ongoing medical supervision, to ensure the patient’s safety and physical wellbeing.
- Family support, aimed at understanding the causes and consequences of dual diagnosis and facilitating recovery.
- Psychosocial support, to improve motivation, integration and personal stability.
In many cases, the families of patients with dual diagnosis adopt a very protective attitude due to the patient’s psychiatric history, so working with them is an essential part of the therapeutic process.
Characteristics and profile of patients with dual diagnosis
Patients with addiction and a mental disorder often show greater motivation for change, especially when they have had previous experiences arising from their mental illness.
The most common combinations tend to differ by sex:
- In women, depression associated with use is common.
- In men, cases of psychotic disorders combined with addiction predominate.
For this reason, at CC Adicciones we apply a multidisciplinary approach that addresses both the psychiatric and addiction components together, ensuring a safe process adapted to each patient’s pace.
A safe, specialised therapeutic environment
At our dual diagnosis treatment centre, we take care of every aspect of the therapeutic environment:
- We promote group cohesion and positive coexistence among patients.
- We carefully monitor external activities and outings that could destabilise the process.
- We encourage peer support, especially among patients with a similar diagnosis.
Our goal is for each person to achieve emotional stability, sustained abstinence and a balanced life, integrating psychiatric and addiction treatment into a single process.
Begin AgainTM
Discover our integrative method
Treatments
Treatments for drug addiction
Frequently Asked Questions about Dual Diagnosis – Alcoholism and Depression
What does it mean to have dual diagnosis between alcoholism and depression?
Dual diagnosis occurs when a person has both an alcohol addiction and a mental disorder such as depression at the same time. Both disorders influence each other, and they need to be treated together to achieve a full recovery.
Does depression cause alcoholism, or does alcoholism cause depression?
Both situations are possible. In some cases, depression pre-exists and leads to alcohol use as a form of relief; in others, prolonged alcohol abuse can trigger depressive symptoms or worsen an existing depressive disorder.
How is dual diagnosis in alcoholism and depression diagnosed?
Diagnosis requires assessing both components:
- Clinical interviews to identify symptoms of depression and patterns of alcohol use.
- Psychiatric assessments to rule out other mental disorders.
- Use of validated depression and alcohol use scales.
- Life history to understand which disorder appeared first, although this does not always determine treatment.
What are the characteristic symptoms of depression in people with alcoholism?
Some common symptoms include: persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities they previously enjoyed, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, changes in appetite or sleep, and suicidal thoughts in severe cases. Dual depression may also manifest as worsening alcohol use.
How common is dual diagnosis between alcoholism and depression?
According to recent studies, a significant proportion of people with alcoholism also have depression. It is estimated that between 20% and 50–60% of those with addictions develop depressive symptoms, although prevalence depends on the assessment method, the population studied and other factors.
How does dual diagnosis affect the recovery process?
Having depression in addition to alcoholism can make treatment more complex and prolonged. The risk of relapse, emotional deterioration, and social or occupational impairment increases, and it may require specialised psychiatric care in addition to addiction treatment.
Can quitting alcohol relieve depression?
Yes. In many cases, stopping alcohol leads to a significant improvement in depressive symptoms, especially if the depression was induced or aggravated by excessive drinking. With stable abstinence, appropriate therapy and support, mood tends to improve.
What happens if depression is not treated in a person with alcoholism?
If only the addiction is treated without addressing depression, there are likely to be more relapses, greater emotional suffering, poorer quality of life, a higher risk of suicide, and deterioration in social, work or family life. An incomplete approach leads to worse outcomes.
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