Dual Diagnosis Archives

The Power of Dual Diagnosis: Why Treating Mental Health Alongside Addiction Saves Lives

Written by Chrsitina Soliday on July 14, 2025. Posted in Dual Diagnosis.

When someone struggles with addiction, the road to recovery can feel overwhelming. But for many individuals, substance use is only part of the story. Mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, or PTSD often lie beneath the surface—driving addictive behaviors and making recovery more challenging. This is where dual diagnosis treatment becomes a game-changer.

At Tulip Hill Recovery in Murfreesboro, TN, we specialize in treating co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Our evidence-based programs combine therapy, medication management, and holistic care to address the whole person—not just the symptoms of addiction. This comprehensive approach doesn’t just help people get sober—it helps them heal and thrive.

What Is Dual Diagnosis?

Dual diagnosis (also called co-occurring disorders) refers to the presence of both a substance use disorder (SUD) and a mental health condition.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), over 9 million Americans experience both mental illness and addiction simultaneously. Yet, too often these issues are treated separately—or worse, one is overlooked entirely.

In reality, mental health and addiction are deeply interconnected. Anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other conditions can contribute to substance use as individuals try to self-medicate emotional pain. Conversely, prolonged drug or alcohol use can alter brain chemistry, triggering or worsening mental health symptoms.

Why Dual Diagnosis Treatment Is Essential

Traditional rehab programs often focus solely on stopping drug or alcohol use. While this is a critical first step, it doesn’t address the underlying mental health struggles that may have fueled the addiction.

Here’s why treating both is vital for long-term recovery:

Breaking the Cycle of Self-Medication: Someone battling untreated depression or anxiety may turn to alcohol or opioids for temporary relief. Without addressing the root cause, even successful detox can lead to relapse as the emotional pain remains.
Reducing Relapse Risk: Studies show that individuals with untreated co-occurring disorders are twice as likely to relapse compared to those who receive integrated care.
Improving Quality of Life: By treating mental health conditions alongside addiction, clients gain the tools to manage symptoms, build coping skills, and regain control of their lives.

Common Co-Occurring Disorders in Dual Diagnosis

At Tulip Hill Recovery, we frequently see clients struggling with these co-occurring mental health issues:

Depression

Depression is one of the most common co-occurring disorders. Its symptoms—hopelessness, fatigue, loss of interest—can make it hard for individuals to seek help or maintain sobriety.

Treatment at Tulip Hill:
Our clinicians offer individualized therapy plans, including dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), group counseling, and medication support when appropriate.

Learn more

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Trauma and addiction often go hand-in-hand. Many veterans, first responders, and survivors of abuse use substances to numb flashbacks and hyperarousal.

Treatment at Tulip Hill:
We use trauma-informed care and therapies like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) to help clients process traumatic memories safely.

Learn more

Anxiety Disorders

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), panic attacks, and social anxiety can drive individuals toward alcohol or benzodiazepines for short-term relief. Unfortunately, this often leads to dependency.

Treatment at Tulip Hill:
We combine cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness practices, and non-addictive medication management to help clients manage anxiety without substances.

Learn more

Tulip Hill’s Integrated PHP/IOP Approach to Dual Diagnosis

At Tulip Hill Recovery, we believe true healing requires treating both the mind and the body. That’s why our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) are designed specifically for individuals with co-occurring disorders.

What Makes Our Dual Diagnosis Treatment Different?

Integrated Care Teams: Our therapists, physicians, and case managers work together to create a seamless treatment plan for both mental health and addiction.
Evidence-Based Therapies: Including CBT, DBT, EMDR, and trauma-informed care.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): When appropriate, to stabilize mental health symptoms and reduce cravings.
Holistic Healing: Yoga, meditation, art therapy, and nutrition support to strengthen emotional resilience.
Family Involvement: Education and counseling for loved ones to rebuild trust and healthy dynamics.

Dual Diagnosis Success Stories

One of our clients, Mark, came to Tulip Hill battling alcohol dependency and severe PTSD after serving in the military. Through our dual diagnosis program, he learned to manage his PTSD triggers without alcohol for the first time in years. Today, Mark has been sober for over 18 months and serves as a peer mentor for other veterans starting their recovery journey.

Why Early Intervention Matters

Untreated co-occurring disorders can have life-threatening consequences. Individuals with dual diagnoses are more likely to:
✔ Experience overdose
✔ Suffer from physical health complications
✔ Struggle with homelessness or incarceration

But with early, comprehensive care, individuals can regain control of their lives.

Take the First Step with Tulip Hill Recovery

If you or a loved one struggles with both addiction and mental health issues, know that help is available. At Tulip Hill Recovery, we provide compassionate, evidence-based dual diagnosis treatment tailored to your unique needs.

? Call us today at (629) 201-2726 or ? contact us online to learn more about our programs. Your path to healing starts here.

First Responder PTSD Symptoms You Should Know

Written by Jacob on October 21, 2022. Posted in Dual Diagnosis, Mental Health, PTSD.

First responders usually are the first on the scene of emergencies. They are exposed to stressful, life-threatening, and disturbing situations. While first responders are trained to handle these situations, they can still develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). If you or a loved one is a first responder, you should be aware of first responder PTSD symptoms.

How Likely is PTSD in First Responders?

First responders like firefighters, police officers, nurses, and EMTs are exposed to multiple traumatic events as part of their job. This exposure could even occur daily. For example, a firefighter might have to see someone die in a fire. A police officer might witness their partner being killed. An EMT could see someone severely injured in a car accident and realize there is nothing they can do to prevent them from dying.

As a result of repeated exposure, it can become difficult to process each event. It is in our nature to be empathetic when we see others in a distressing situation. First responders are trained to set aside their emotions and focus on doing their job. However, this can be quite challenging in traumatic situations.

In recent years, research suggests first responders live with an increased risk of PTSD. Over 80 percent of first responders are exposed to some form of traumatic experience, and 10 to 15 percent develop PTSD, according to medical journal database Science Direct.

As reported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), research suggests that one in three first responders will develop PTSD during their careers. Out of all first responder careers, EMTs have the highest risk of a PTSD diagnosis.

How Is PTSD Diagnosed?

PTSD is diagnosed based on the symptoms the person is experiencing and other specific criteria, as follows:

Experiencing one avoidance symptom.
Experiencing two or more mood and cognition symptoms.
Reliving the experience at least once through dreams and flashbacks.
Having two or more reactive and arousal symptoms.

Additionally, the symptoms and criteria must occur for at least one month or longer to be considered PTSD.

First Responder PTSD Symptoms You Should Know

Avoidance symptoms are when the person avoids specific people, objects, places, or events associated with the traumatic event. They can also include attempting to avoid feelings and thoughts related to the event.

Mood and cognition symptoms are common after a traumatic experience and usually subside within a few weeks. They could include feelings of guilt, shame, self-blame, or self-loathing. In addition, a person could have problems recalling specific details about the event. Another symptom is losing interest in activities and hobbies one used to enjoy.

Reactive and arousal symptoms can become persistent and make it difficult to focus on work, eating, and relationships. They can make the person seem constantly angry and stressed. Other symptoms could include insomnia, constantly feeling tense, irrational outbursts of anger, and being constantly on guard.

Furthermore, reliving the experience through dreams and flashbacks could occur even while awake. A triggering event could occur, causing the flashback. During a flashback, the person can seem frightened, afraid, and withdrawn.

How To Treat PTSD in First Responders

PTSD treatment for first responders is similar to treating others with PTSD. Some effective treatment options include:

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This therapy helps first responders examine their negative thoughts and feelings in a safe and supportive environment.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). DBT helps first responders address thought patterns, such as their view they must appear in control at all times or viewing situations as “all or nothing.”
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDM). This therapy allows the first responder to focus on specific emotions and feelings associated with particular parts of the trauma rather than relive the entire experience. It also helps replace negative responses with positive ones to help them move forward.

Why First Responders need PTSD Support Groups

Many first responders have problems acknowledging when they have PTSD. They learn to be tough no matter the situation they experience. Furthermore, any display of vulnerability goes against what they learned.

PTSD support groups for first responders are essential to allowing a safe space for them to talk about their experiences without judgment. Support groups can also be therapeutic and help them begin to address their trauma because they know they are not the only first responder dealing with PTSD.

In addition, many first responders turn to alcohol or drugs to deal with their PTSD. While they may appear outwardly fine, they are struggling inside. Using substances can seem like an acceptable solution to being able to feel more normal. Unfortunately, continued use leads to dependence and addiction.

As such, having access to support groups could potentially help first responders from developing addictions.

PTSD and Addiction Treatment in Murfreesboro, TN

First responders can rely on Tulip Hill in Murfreesboro, TN, to provide the help they need when they are struggling with PTSD and addiction. We offer personalized dual-diagnosis treatment programs to treat both disorders in a supportive and caring environment. Take the first steps to overcome your trauma and addiction by contacting us today.

intervention for a woman misusing drugs and alcohol intervention for a woman misusing drugs and alcohol

Understanding the Real Risks of Mixing Drugs and Alcohol

Written by Jacob on February 9, 2021. Posted in Dual Diagnosis, Substance Addiction.

An addiction to substances alone is already challenging enough for someone to go through. However, if you mix the use of substances and alcohol at the same time, you severely increase your risk of harming your health.

It is imperative that you never mix drugs and alcohol. When mixed with alcohol, certain substances like opioids can cause drastic effects. If you are struggling with an addiction, it’s important to seek treatment from professionals to help lower your health risks of overdose and other complications.

The Very Real Danger of Mixing Drugs and Alcohol

Many people are tuned out to the dangers of mixing drugs and alcohol because they have grown deaf to the constant lessons and warnings you hear growing up. However, there is a very real danger involved with mixing drugs and alcohol that we all need to take seriously.

Opioid substances, such as oxycodone or hydrocodone, act as central nervous system depressants. Alcohol also acts as a central nervous system depressant. Mixing the two together can magnify their effects and lead to serious complications, including:

Overdose
Respiratory damage
Brain damage
Coma
Death

Respiratory depression is one of the most dangerous side effects associated with mixing drugs and alcohol. It is usually what causes the other serious complications. As the breathing slows or stops, the brain and other organs starve for oxygen, which can cause them to start shutting down.

Learn the Signs of an Overdose

If you suspect someone you care about is using substances and mixing them with alcohol, it is important to try to help them seek treatment and to know the symptoms of an overdose. It is possible to reverse the effects of an overdose if you are able to act quickly.

The signs of an overdose on drugs and alcohol may include:

Clammy, cold skin
Dizziness
Confusion or disorientation
Ragged breathing
Irregular heart rate
Nausea
Vomiting
Unconsciousness
Seizures
Weak pulse

Start the Recovery Journey at Tulip Hill Recovery

Do you or someone you know struggle with alcohol or substance addiction? Overcoming an addiction on your own can be quite an uphill battle, but with professional help, freedom from addiction is possible.

At Tulip Hill Recovery, our treatment model emphasizes the dual diagnosis approach, which means we treat addiction as well as co-occurring mental health disorders that might be fueling the addiction. This helps a person in recovery become better equipped for dealing with the challenges of mental health disorders without feeling like they need substances or alcohol to cope.

Are you ready to talk to someone about treatment for addiction for you or someone you love? Please contact us online or call us at 877-845-8192 to get in touch with our team and help start the recovery journey.

alcohol and depression alcohol and depression

Understanding the Relationship Between Alcohol and Depression

Written by Jacob on January 11, 2021. Posted in Alcohol Addiction, Dual Diagnosis.

It’s common for the consumption of alcohol to be tied with depression. Mental health disorders like depression can drive someone to using alcohol or substances as a coping mechanism. In the case of an addiction, these mental health disorders are known as “co-occurring disorders.”

Regardless of whether the depression comes first or the addiction to alcohol, both conditions fuel each other and cause each other to worsen. It is important to seek help from a professional when dealing with either or both depression and an addiction to alcohol. Clinical and medical professionals can help you recover from both conditions so you can live a life free from addiction and with better skills for managing your depression.

The Relationship Between Alcohol and Depression

Since alcohol loosens inhibitions, people turn to it in an attempt to cope with the symptoms of depression or other mental health disorders. However, alcohol is a depressant. When you consume certain amounts of it, it can lower your mood and worsen the depression.

As you continue to consume alcohol, you become more dependent on it. This can lead to increased depression, as well as an addiction and other struggles, such as strained relationships or missing out on work.

Treating Alcohol Addiction and Depression

Treatment for someone struggling with alcohol addiction and depression is done using the dual diagnosis approach. This is an addiction recovery approach that includes mental health therapy to help patients develop healthier coping skills for their mental health disorders, such as depression.

The dual diagnosis treatment approach is effective in helping patients reach recovery from their addiction and to stay recovered without feeling the need to return to using alcohol as a coping mechanism for depression.

Start your Recovery Journey at Tulip Hill Recovery

At Tulip Hill Recovery, we emphasize the dual diagnosis approach in many of our treatments. We believe it helps equip patients for an improved quality of life after their initial treatment to help prevent relapsing, so they can continue to live free from addiction.

Are you ready to talk to someone about treatment for addiction and building a better future for yourself? Please contact us online or call us at 877-845-8192 to get in touch with our team and start your recovery journey.

co occurring disorders co occurring disorders

Signs you may be wrestling with co-occurring disorders

Written by Jacob on January 9, 2021. Posted in Dual Diagnosis, Mental Health.

When struggling with an addiction, you may find it to be very difficult to try to recover on your own. Addictions alter your brain chemistry, which makes it hard to break free from addiction on your will alone. Additionally, mental health disorders can fuel the desire to use substances or alcohol.

The latter is more common than most people might realize. Mental health disorders, especially those that have not been diagnosed, can cause stress, anxiety and other symptoms that can drive one to turning to substances or alcohol as a coping mechanism.

These are known as co-occurring disorders, and treating them is as important as treating the addiction itself.

Signs you may need treatment for co-occurring disorders

If you are struggling with an addiction to substances or alcohol, it’s important to seek help for treatment. You may need additional therapy and other support if you have the symptoms of a co-occurring disorder.

Symptoms of co-occurring disorders vary depending on the condition, but some overlapping symptoms may include:

Volatile mood swings.
Strained relationships with friends and family.
Inability to keep a job or perform in school.
Legal and financial problems.

If you notice these signs in yourself or in someone you love along with an addiction to substances or alcohol, please seek help from recovery professionals like those at Tulip Hill Recovery.

Start your recovery journey at Tulip Hill Recovery

Living with an addiction and co-occurring mental health disorder is hard. It might feel impossible to break free, but with the right help and support by your side from friends and professionals, recovery is within your reach.

At Tulip Hill Recovery, we emphasize the dual diagnosis approach in treating addictions. This is an approach that includes treating addiction as well as equipping people to manage co-occurring disorders in healthier ways. Treating co-occurring disorders along with the addiction can help you continue your recovery without relapsing.

mental health and addictions mental health and addictions

The Common Connection Between Mental Health and Addictions

Written by Jacob on January 4, 2021. Posted in Dual Diagnosis, Mental Health, Substance Addiction.

Some people struggle with mental health disorders. Some people struggle with addiction. Then there are those who struggle with both. Those who struggle with both are known as having co-occurring disorders, both a mental health issue and a drug or alcohol addiction. It’s taken health care professionals a long time to realize this, but co-occurring disorders are more common than you might think.

Roughly 50% of people with severe mental health disorders suffer from substance abuse as well. This is typically attributed to the fact that people with severe mental health disorders who do not receive professional treatment frequently turn to self-medicating with substances or alcohol to cope with their symptoms. As the mental health disorder continues without treatment, the substance or alcohol abuse continues as well, leading to an addiction that creates a wide range of other issues.

Treating Mental Health and Addiction

Identifying co-occurring disorders in yourself or someone you care about is very difficult, which is why it should be left to the professionals. Pay attention to the signs of mental health disorder or addiction to get an idea of when you or someone you love needs help, but don’t attempt a diagnosis or treatment by yourself. This can lead to misdiagnosis and mistreatment that can end up making the condition worse.

Addiction treatment professionals and mental health professionals can work together to identify co-occurring disorders. They can form a dual diagnosis treatment that emphasizes recovery from addiction as well as helping you work through any mental health issues that fuel addiction. This often includes a strategy for developing healthier coping mechanisms for mental health disorder symptoms rather than using drugs or alcohol to cope.

This treatment approach can be more effective in helping you break free of your addiction and stay free from it because you are better equipped to deal with your personal challenges.

Start Your Recovery Journey at Tulip Hill Recovery

At Tulip Hill Recovery, we focus on discovering what factors in your life may be contributing to your addiction in order to treat it at its main source.

dual diagnosis treatment dual diagnosis treatment

What is Dual Diagnosis Treatment?

Written by Jacob on December 4, 2020. Posted in Dual Diagnosis, Mental Health.

Life with a mental health disorder is hard. Depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress can drive you to turn to drugs or alcohol to cope. This is often why peoplrj3nnnze end up developing an addiction, which just adds to the list of challenges you face when you have a mental health disorder.

Historically, people seeking help for mental illness could be denied treatment if they were struggling with substance abuse. However, because substance abuse is often driven by the mental health disorder, it was practically impossible for someone to get clean and get the treatment they needed.

To address this issue, addiction recovery centers developed the dual diagnosis treatment approach.

What is the Dual Diagnosis Treatment Approach?

Addiction recovery centers that specialize in the dual diagnosis approach recognize the need for treating both the addiction and the mental health disorders that drive it. Instead of drawing a line and saying you must treat one before the other, a dual diagnosis treatment center specializes in treating both at the same time.

In the dual diagnosis approach, addiction professionals and mental health professionals work in tandem to help clients recover from addiction and cope with mental health disorders that derive addiction.

Addiction professionals help you safely stop using drugs or alcohol while also helping you develop the skills to live sober and independently after your recovery program. Mental health professionals work closely with you throughout your recovery process to help you develop healthy coping mechanisms that can replace your tendency for turning to drugs or alcohol to cope.

This approach can help someone with an addiction achieve recovery with less of a chance of relapsing because they now have the skills for dealing with mental health disorders that drive addiction.

Take Your First Step to Recovery at Tulip Hill Recovery

At Tulip Hill Recovery, we focus on discovering what factors in your life may be contributing to your addiction in order to treat it at its main source.

dual diagnosis treatment centers dual diagnosis treatment centers

What is different about dual diagnosis treatment centers?

Written by Jacob on December 3, 2020. Posted in Dual Diagnosis, Mental Health.

If you’re struggling with a drug or alcohol addiction, you should never have to fight it alone. Not only is recovering on your own extremely difficult, it could even be risky for your health if you’re not meeting all your needs.

Fortunately, there are several treatment centers that can help you recover from drugs and alcohol. However, you may need a little help understanding which one is right for you. If you have come across clinics that say they offer dual diagnosis treatment, you might be wondering what it is and how it’s different from traditional recovery centers.

Dual diagnosis treatment centers specialize in mental health therapy

The dual diagnosis approach to addiction is the process of treating both the addiction and any mental health issues that may be fueling the addiction. For example, it’s not uncommon for someone to turn to drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism when they’re struggling with a mental health disorder, such as:

Depression
Anxiety
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Bipolar disorder

Clinics that specialize in dual diagnosis treatment not only have addiction recovery specialists, but they also have mental health professionals who can work closely with you throughout your recovery journey. They can help you develop healthy coping mechanisms for your mental health disorder, so you feel less compelled to turn to drugs and alcohol to cope.

Dual diagnosis treatment centers see your recovery through

Some treatment centers offer detox for a few days and then send people back out into the world. Many people relapse quickly after leaving treatment without learning any coping skills or addressing any of their underlying mental health issues.

At a dual diagnosis center like Tulip Hill Recovery, professionals understand that recovery is a lifelong journey. The team can help you find work, arrange transportation, and build a community of support and accountability, and even, friendship.

When you have a sense of purpose, direction and community after your initial treatment, you have better chances of staying sober and living a life free of addiction to drugs and alcohol.

Take your first step to recovery at Tulip Hill Recovery

At Tulip Hill Recovery, we focus on discovering what factors in your life may be contributing to your addiction in order to treat it at its main source.