OUR CO-OCCURRING DISORDER TREATMENT PROGRAM

Many individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders face challenges in accessing comprehensive treatment that addresses both conditions effectively. Our program is specifically designed to bridge this gap by providing integrated care from experts in mental health and addiction recovery, facilitating a path towards lasting recovery.

group therapy session for co-occurring disorders, with a smiling therapist engaged in discussion with participants
group therapy session for co-occurring disorders treatment, with a smiling therapist engaged in discussion with participants
positive young man with a bright smile outdoors, symbolizing hope and well-being after a successful co-occurring disorder rehabilitation
positive young man with a bright smile outdoors, symbolizing hope and well-being after a successful co-occurring disorder rehabilitation

WHAT IS CO-OCCURRING DISORDER?

A co-occurring disorder, also known as dual diagnosis, refers to the presence of both a mental illness and a substance use disorder in an individual. This dual challenge requires a nuanced approach to treatment, as each condition can interact with other mental health disorders and make the condition even worse.

CO-OCCURRING DISORDER RISKS

Untreated co-occurring disorders can lead to increased risks, including worsened mental health symptoms, escalated substance abuse, and greater challenges in treatment. Early and integrated intervention is crucial for effective management and recovery.

three friends hiking together, enjoying nature illustrating the benefits of integrated treatment for dual diagnosis
three friends hiking together, enjoying nature illustrating the benefits of integrated treatment for dual diagnosis

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

There are several signs and symptoms of co-occurring disorders that can affect individuals physically, psychologically, and socially.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

There are several signs and symptoms of co-occurring disorders that can affect individuals physically, psychologically, and socially.

PHYSICAL

  • Unexplained Physical Ailments: Persistent aches, pains, or discomfort without clear medical cause.

  • Appetite and Sleep Changes: Significant changes in eating habits, weight, or disturbances in sleep patterns, including insomnia or oversleeping.

  • Withdrawal Symptoms: Experiencing withdrawal effects like shakiness, nausea, or sweating when not using substances.

  • Deteriorating Physical Health: Noticeable decline in physical health, including poor hygiene and frequent illness.

PSYCHOLOGICAL

  • Mood Fluctuations: Extreme mood swings, from periods of depression to heightened anxiety or irritability.

  • Cognitive Difficulties: Trouble with concentration, memory, or decision-making, often disrupting daily tasks.

  • Increased Mental Health Symptoms: Exacerbation of symptoms related to mental health disorders, such as heightened paranoia, anxiety, or depressive episodes.

  • Suicidal Thoughts or Self-Harm: Thoughts of harming oneself or engaging in self-destructive behavior.

SOCIAL

  • Social Withdrawal: Avoiding social interactions, neglecting relationships, and withdrawing from activities previously enjoyed.

  • Relationship Challenges: Strained or broken relationships with family, friends, or colleagues, often due to behavioral changes.

  • Loss of Interest in Activities: A noticeable lack of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyable or fulfilling.

  • Legal or Financial Issues: Encountering legal problems, financial difficulties, or work-related issues as a result of substance use or mental health struggles.

TAKE THE NEXT STEP TOWARDS YOUR NEW LIFE

Simply reach out to our admissions team for a free consultation. Everything is private and confidential. We’re here to help, answer questions, and listen. Calls are answered 24/7.

TAKE THE NEXT STEP TOWARDS YOUR NEW LIFE

Simply reach out to our admissions team for a free consultation. Everything is private and confidential. We’re here to help, answer questions, and listen. Calls answered 24/7.

OUR CO-OCCURRING DISORDER PROCESS

We start with a thorough assessment to understand the interplay between mental health and addiction issues. Our multidisciplinary team then creates a personalized treatment plan, incorporating experiential treatments such as music therapy. Music therapy can be an effective treatment option for those suffering from mental health and addiction disorders, as highlighted in studies exploring its benefits in various contexts, including anxiety reduction and emotional regulation.

focus on a man smiling and listening attentively, representing a supportive group setting for evidence-based dual diagnosis care
focus on a man smiling and listening attentively, representing a supportive group setting for evidence-based dual diagnosis care
diverse group of people joining hands in a show of unity and support reflecting the community aspect of substance abuse and mental health services
group therapy session in nature, supporting recovery from mental illnesses through substance abuse and mental health services.

PSYCHOLOGICAL and BEHAVIORAL TREATMENT

We utilize a range of psychological and behavioral treatments for co-occurring disorders, focusing on therapies like Experiential Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. These methods help in modifying behavior, improving mental health, and developing healthier coping mechanisms.

AFTERCARE TREATMENT SUPPORT PROGRAMS

Aftercare is a critical component of our co-occurring disorder treatment program, providing ongoing support and resources. Our programs include continued therapy sessions, support groups, and access to community resources to ensure sustained recovery and management of both conditions.

a group of cheerful people having a friendly conversation, with one man smiling broadly, exemplifying the communal support found in aftercare treatment services
a group of cheerful people having a friendly conversation, with one man smiling broadly, exemplifying the communal support found in aftercare treatment services

TREATMENT OPTIONS

We understand that one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to recovery. That’s why we offer a range of personalized treatment options. Choose the path that empowers your journey:

group of people hiking in nature for mental health and addiction recovery therapy.

BIG SKY EXPERIENTIAL THERAPY

Participate in innovative therapeutic activities such as equine and art therapy to facilitate emotional healing and personal growth. These hands-on experiences help individuals reconnect with their inner selves.

group of people engaging in a nurturing group therapy atmosphere

BIG SKY OUTPATIENT TREATMENT

Navigate recovery with flexible daytime or evening therapy sessions designed to fit around your schedule. This adaptable option provides ongoing support as you rebuild your life outside treatment.

individual attending a virtual counseling appointment on a digital device

BIG SKY TELEHEALTH TREATMENT

Embrace healing from the comfort of your own space. Connect with experienced therapists and participate in personalized sessions virtually, making quality care accessible wherever you are.

BUILD A FOUNDATION FOR LASTING CHANGE

At BIG SKY Treatment, we offer more than just treatment; we offer a chance at a new beginning. Let us help you lay the groundwork for a life free from the shadows of mental health illness and addiction. Our dedicated team is always here to provide guidance and answer your questions—day or night.

woman at sailboat helm, beaming with confidence after successful rehab treatment
woman at sailboat helm, beaming with confidence after successful rehab treatment

FIND CO-OCCURRING DISORDER TREATMENT AT BIG SKY

Begin your journey to recovery from co-occurring disorders at BIG SKY Treatment. Reach out to our team for a treatment program that addresses both your mental health and addiction needs in a supportive, calming environment. Contact us to get started.

CHECK YOUR INSURANCE COVERAGE

We work with most insurance providers in the U.S. to provide the best possible coverage and minimize your out-of-pocket expenses.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Browse our FAQ for clear, concise answers to common inquiries about our programs and services.

Having two separate conditions means each is diagnosed and treated independently, often by different providers at different times. A co-occurring disorder — also called dual diagnosis — is clinically distinct: the mental health condition and substance use disorder are actively interacting with each other, each worsening the other’s symptoms and complicating treatment. This bidirectional relationship means that treating only one condition while leaving the other unaddressed almost always results in relapse or symptom recurrence. Integrated treatment, where both conditions are addressed simultaneously within a single program, is the clinically established standard for co-occurring disorders and is the approach BIG SKY Treatment uses.

The most frequently seen co-occurring disorder combinations involve anxiety disorders and alcohol use disorder, depression and opioid addiction, PTSD and substance abuse, bipolar disorder and stimulant use, and attention deficit disorders and cannabis or stimulant misuse. Trauma underlies many of these combinations — people often turn to substances to manage overwhelming emotional pain from untreated PTSD, anxiety, or depression. At BIG SKY Treatment, our trauma-informed approach addresses the underlying drivers of both conditions, not just the symptoms of each.

This is one of the most common questions people with co-occurring disorders ask, and the honest clinical answer is: it varies, and it often doesn’t matter as much as you’d think. For some people, an untreated mental health condition like anxiety or depression leads to substance use as a way of self-medicating. For others, prolonged substance use triggers or worsens mental health symptoms by altering brain chemistry. In many cases, both are rooted in the same underlying trauma, making the question of “which came first” less useful than understanding how the two conditions are currently interacting. BIG SKY Treatment’s assessment process maps this relationship individually for each client, because the treatment approach depends on how the conditions are interacting — not just on which diagnosis came first.

Co-occurring disorders often go undiagnosed because each condition can mask or mimic the other. Common signs include using substances to manage anxiety, depression, trauma responses, or emotional pain; mental health symptoms that worsen significantly when sober; an inability to maintain sobriety despite genuine effort; mood instability that persists after stopping substance use; and a history of trauma alongside current substance use. Physical signs include disrupted sleep and appetite, withdrawal symptoms, and deteriorating physical health. Social signs include withdrawal from relationships, strained family dynamics, and declining performance at work or school. If multiple signs are present, a clinical assessment is the appropriate next step — co-occurring disorders are highly treatable when both conditions are identified and addressed together.

When mental health conditions and substance use disorders are treated separately — often called a sequential or parallel approach — each condition continues to feed the other. A person treating depression without addressing their alcohol use, for example, is unlikely to achieve lasting improvement in either because alcohol is a depressant that directly worsens depressive symptoms. Integrated treatment addresses both conditions simultaneously within a single coordinated program, so progress in one area reinforces progress in the other. According to SAMHSA’s 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, only 7.9% of people with co-occurring disorders receive integrated care — a gap that BIG SKY Treatment’s program is specifically designed to close.

BIG SKY Treatment begins with a comprehensive clinical assessment conducted by credentialed clinicians — including staff holding DBH, LCPC, LAC, MAC, and CCMHC credentials — who are specifically trained in both mental health and addiction. The assessment maps the relationship between mental health symptoms and substance use, identifies any underlying trauma, and evaluates the appropriate level of care. From this assessment, a fully individualized treatment plan is developed that addresses both conditions concurrently. This integrated assessment process is what distinguishes BIG SKY Treatment from programs that evaluate addiction and mental health in separate silos.

BIG SKY Treatment’s co-occurring disorder program draws on a range of evidence-based modalities delivered within a trauma-informed framework. These include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to address distorted thinking patterns that fuel both mental health symptoms and substance use; Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to build emotional regulation and distress tolerance skills; Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to process underlying trauma; Motivational Interviewing (MI) to strengthen commitment to recovery; and group, individual, and family therapy. For clients at our Kalispell location, Experiential Therapy — including equine therapy, wilderness therapy, music therapy, and art therapy — is integrated as a complement to clinical treatment, offering hands-on processing that traditional talk therapy alone cannot always achieve.

Yes, in most cases. Outpatient treatment — including Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) — is clinically appropriate for co-occurring disorders when the individual has a stable living environment and does not require 24-hour medical supervision. BIG SKY Treatment’s IOP is specifically structured to address both mental health and substance use concurrently, with the clinical intensity needed to manage the complexity of dual diagnosis. For individuals who require a higher level of care before transitioning to outpatient, BIG SKY Treatment can provide referrals and coordinate a step-down plan. Our co-occurring disorder programs are available in person at our Kalispell, Montana location and via Virtual IOP across Montana, Colorado, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Massachusetts, including members of Indian Reservations in those states.

Untreated co-occurring disorders carry significantly higher risks than either condition alone. These include accelerating substance use as mental health symptoms worsen, increasing risk of psychiatric crisis, severe damage to relationships and employment, legal and financial consequences, and a substantially higher risk of self-harm. The bidirectional nature of co-occurring disorders means each untreated condition actively worsens the other — creating a cycle that becomes increasingly difficult to break without professional intervention. Early, integrated treatment is the most effective way to interrupt this cycle and establish a foundation for lasting recovery.

Contact our admissions team at (406) 309-7500 — calls are answered 24/7 — or reach out through our website. We’ll begin with a free, confidential clinical assessment to evaluate both your mental health and substance use, map how the two conditions are interacting, and determine the right level of care. We’ll also verify your insurance benefits before your first session. BIG SKY Treatment accepts most major insurance plans, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana, PacificSource, Allegiance by Cigna, Montana Medicaid, TRICARE, and TriWest. Same-day consultations are often available. Co-occurring disorder treatment is available in person in Kalispell and via Virtual IOP across our full service area.

Sources

  1. Kosten, T. R., & Baxter, L. E. (2019). Heroin addiction and contemporary trends in treatment. Neuropsychopharmacology, 45(1), 143–155. Retrieved October 2, 2024, from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3753025/
  2. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2023). 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) releases. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved October 2, 2024, from https://www.samhsa.gov/data/release/2021-national-survey-drug-use-and-health-nsduh-releases
  3. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2023). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved October 2, 2024, from https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt39443/2021NSDUHFFRRev010323.pdf
  4. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (n.d.). Co-occurring disorders and other health conditions. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved October 2, 2024, from https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/co-occurring-disorders-health-conditions
  5. Situmorang, D. D. B. (2021). Music therapy for the treatment of patients with COVID-19. The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research, 48(2), 160–170. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8115419/

BREAK FREE FROM MENTAL HEALTH ILLNESS AND ADDICTION

At BIG SKY Treatment, we are committed to helping you recover, heal, and move forward. Our evidence-based programs provide the guidance and support you need to break free from addiction and build a healthier, more fulfilling life. Calls are answered 24/7.

FINALLY BREAK FREE FROM MENTAL HEALTH ILLNESS AND ADDICTION

Let BIG SKY help you recover, grow, and thrive with proven evidence-based treatment programs that
empower you to break through mental health and addiction challenges. Calls answered 24/7.