CO-OCCURRING CONDITIONS
Dual diagnosis treatment
Substance use and mental health treated together, by one connected team.
Co-occurring disorders are common. Anxiety, depression, trauma related symptoms or mood disorders often intertwine with alcohol or drug use. Treating one while ignoring the other limits results. Insight Recovery Centers delivers integrated care so both conditions improve in a coordinated way.
Our integrated model: Diagnostic clarity
Within the first few months of treatment we complete an evaluation that combines structured clinical interviews, standardized measures, and medical review. This process allows us to confirm diagnoses, rule out conditions that may mimic one another, and establish a clear picture of what is driving symptoms. A safety plan is also developed at this stage so that every client begins treatment with a secure, clinically sound foundation.
What dual diagnosis means in practice
We evaluate how psychiatric symptoms interact with substance use in daily life and how one influences the other. Findings from this assessment inform a single, coordinated plan that addresses both the mental health condition and the substance use pattern together. Common psychiatric conditions that often accompany drug or alcohol use include:
-
Anxiety disorders, where substances are used to manage worry, panic, or social discomfort.
-
Depression, often linked with self-medication through alcohol, opioids, or sedatives.
-
Trauma-related disorders (including PTSD), where substance use develops as an attempt to regulate intrusive memories or emotional distress.
-
Bipolar and mood disorders, where cycles of mania and depression can heighten vulnerability to misuse.
-
ADHD, where stimulant or cannabis use may begin as an effort to focus or self-regulate.
-
Personality disorders, particularly those involving impulsivity or emotional instability, which can reinforce substance use patterns.
Outcomes That Matter
Our client satisfaction surveys consistently rank 4.5 and above for the overall program, being included in the treatment process, and our treatment team. The testimonials below reflect how this personalized approach and meeting clients where they are allows them to feel understood, supported, and empowered to make meaningful change.
Process Addictions
Not all addictions involve substances. Behavioral, or “process,” addictions share many of the same neurological and psychological features as substance use disorders. These conditions can cause significant disruption in relationships, finances, and emotional wellbeing, often co-occurring with anxiety, depression, or trauma.
At Insight Recovery Centers, we treat a range of process addictions, including:
Gambling, which has increased dramatically since the 2018 Supreme Court ruling that lifted the federal ban on sports betting, making online and mobile platforms widely accessible.
Gaming, where excessive use interferes with sleep, work, and relationships and becomes a primary coping mechanism for stress or isolation.
Pornography and sexual compulsivity, which can distort intimacy, trigger shame, and lead to emotional withdrawal or secrecy.
Compulsive spending or shopping, often used to manage anxiety or low mood but leading to financial and relational strain.
Treatment focuses on identifying the emotional and cognitive patterns driving the behavior, restoring impulse control, and developing healthy alternatives for regulation and reward. As with substance use, our approach integrates individual therapy, group support, and family involvement to promote long-term stability and healthier behavioral patterns.
Coordinated therapies
Your coordinated treatment plan includes:
- Individual counseling using cognitive and behavioral methods, trauma informed care, and mindfulness based skills
- Small group counseling for emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and relapse prevention
- Family sessions to reduce conflict, set boundaries, and improve communication
- Medication management for depression, anxiety, mood stabilization, sleep, or cravings
- Screening and monitoring to track risk and reinforce accountability
- Case management to coordinate school, work, or legal needs and to align with outside providers
Flexible goals with firm structure
Treatment may support different goals like full abstinence, moderation, or harm reduction, depending on diagnosis, safety, and response to care. Structure is consistent and goals are always individualized.
Levels of care
Insight Recovery Centers offers several levels of outpatient care to match the needs of each client. Intensive outpatient programming (IOP) is available for individuals who require frequent clinical contact and structure but do not need 24-hour supervision. Standard outpatient therapy and skill reinforcement once greater stability has been achieved. For Virginia residents who cannot attend in person, secure telehealth options allow them to access the same high-quality services remotely. Clients can step up or step down between levels of care as their needs change, ensuring treatment remains both flexible and responsive.
Outcomes that matter
At Insight Recovery Centers, we monitor outcomes carefully to ensure treatment is effective and meaningful. Progress is not defined by one measure alone, but by a range of clinical, relational, and functional improvements that reflect real change in daily life. We track progress across:
- Symptom reduction and functional improvement, looking for measurable decreases in psychiatric and behavioral symptoms as well as gains in daily functioning
- Decreased substance-related risk, including lower frequency, intensity, or harmful patterns of use
- Stronger family and social stability, with improved trust, healthier boundaries, and more supportive networks
- Reliable participation in work or education, where clients are able to meet responsibilities consistently and build toward long-term goals
These data points form a feedback loop. Plans are revisited regularly, adjusted based on what is working and what needs refinement. This approach ensures accountability, clarity, and transparency so clients and families can see progress unfold in tangible ways and know that care remains aligned with their goals.
Why Insight?
- Integrated care under one roof with the team collaborating daily. At Insight Recovery Centers, care is coordinated in real time. Your providers share the same space, anticipate needs together, and build a unified plan rather than handing clients off to separate, disconnected services
- Clinically flexible approach that respects individual definitions of recovery. We recognize that recovery exists on a spectrum. Some clients pursue abstinence, while others find stability through moderation or harm reduction strategies. Our role is to provide clinical structure and accountability while supporting goals that are realistic and meaningful for each individual
- Family owned and clinician led, rooted in the local community. Insight is not part of a national chain or corporate network. We are built and led by practicing clinicians who live and work in Northern Virginia, accountable to the families we serve rather than to outside investors
- Licensed in Virginia and accredited by the Joint Commission. This dual recognition reflects the highest standards in clinical care, safety, and organizational excellence. Accreditation is an assurance to clients, families, and referring professionals that Insight operates at a level far beyond basic compliance
Next steps
When symptoms and substance use overlap, both can be treated within one coordinated plan. Contact us today to schedule an evaluation and take the first step toward integrated care.