Co-Occurring Disorders

Co-Occurring Disorders are manifested by a combination of a mental illness disorder and a substance abuse disorder. Thus two disorders are affecting a person at the same time. This is also referred to as a dual diagnosis. It may not be limited to only two disorders. A person may suffer from chronic schizophrenia and polysubstance abuse (more than one substance abuse disorder). A substance abuse disorder that is not in remission can often negatively impact the success of controlling the symptoms of the mental illness.