It is overwhelming to try to manage stress, fear, anger, grief, deadlines, rest, emotions, and decisions altogether. You might have to lean on “substance” just to get through the day. The honest truth is that substance use feels like relief. Then it becomes a routine. Then it becomes an addiction and leads to Dual Diagnosis or Co-occurring Track/Disorder.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. It is called Substance use or abuse, but recovery is possible.

What is Dual Diagnosis or Co-occurring Track/Disorder?

Dual Diagnosis simply means a person is dealing with both mental health condition and substance use at the same time.

What makes it even more complex among adults is that the symptoms often overlap. 

For instance, some reports believe that it a norm for individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder to also have a substance use disorder. At GenPsych, we believe that substance use is linked to anxiety, bipolar disorder, mood instability, and the likes. Often times, they make one another worse, and you cannot break out of it.

Think of it like this: imagine trying to fix a leaking roof while the foundation of the house is cracked. If you fix one, the problem will come back in another form. That’s what makes Dual Diagnosis so tricky. Common examples include:

• Mood instability + self-medication behaviors
• Major depressive disorder + alcohol use disorder 
• Major depressive disorder + opioid use disorder 
• Generalized anxiety disorder + alcohol misuse 
• Anxiety disorders (including panic disorder) + benzodiazepine dependence 
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) + opioid use disorder 
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) + cannabis or alcohol misuse 
• Bipolar disorder + alcohol use disorder 
• Bipolar disorder + stimulant use disorder (e.g., cocaine, amphetamines) 
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) + stimulant misuse 
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) + alcohol use disorder 
• Borderline personality disorder + polysubstance use 
• Antisocial personality disorder + substance use disorder 

Another relevant finding indicates that most adults in New Jersey receiving mental health treatment also had a substance use disorder diagnosis, yet only few receive integrated treatment. Recent statistics indicate that in 2020, about 24,931 adults in New Jersey were diagnosed with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders and among these adults, 22% received a substance use disorder diagnosis and only 12,740 received treatment for their dual disorders in facilities in New Jersey. That is a clear gap that’s hard to ignore.  

Thousands of adults in New Jersey are dealing with mental health challenges and substance use, yet they aren’t getting treatment? And even when they start treatment, they drop off early because of cost, limited access, or programs that do not seem to address their specific problems nor provide any lasting change? 

That’s exactly why GenPsych is stepping in. 

At GenPsych Princeton, we’re accepting new intakes for dual diagnosis treatment. This program is built around a structured 30–90 days plan, giving adults in New Jersey the time and support they need to stabilize before moving forward. Good news is, we are also accepting Medicaid and most major insurance plans, because at GenPsych Princeton, New Jersey, we believe access to proper care should not be another barrier. 

The Progression of Dual Diagnosis or Co-occurring Disorder 

Dual Diagnosis is not a character flaw. A lot of people don’t start out wanting to be addicted. It starts with:

• Trying to sleep
• Trying to calm anxiety 
• Trying to meet up with a task
• Trying to numb emotional pain or grief 
• Trying to exist through trauma or stress 

Then it results in dependence on substance.

This is what our clinicians call self-medication behavior. It refers to when adults use substances to manage emotional or psychological distress without the knowledge of the consequences or side effects.

Over time, this will also lead to: 

• Increased emotional instability 
• Higher anxiety or depressive symptoms 
• Memory issues, hallucination or confusion 
• Treatment non-adherence (starting treatment, then stopping) 
• Relapse cycles that feel discouraging and repetitive 

Why Treatment Often Feels Like It Is Not Working 

If you’ve tried substance use treatment in some facilities around the world or specifically in New Jersey before and felt like it didn’t “stick,” one of the likely reasons is fragmentation. That means: 

• One provider treats mental health 
• Another handles substance use 
• Another prescribes medication 
• And none of them are fully connected 

So, the care becomes disconnected. Studies highlight fragmentation as a reason most adults experience: 

• Misdiagnosis or shifting diagnoses 
• Incomplete treatment plans 
• Poor coordination between providers 
• Return of symptoms after discharge 

When care is fragmented, recovery is somewhat fragmented too. 

What are the Risks of Co-occurring Track/Substance Use Disorder? 

In the United States of America, especially in New Jersey, there has been growing demand that mental health and substance use cannot and should not be treated as separate issues when they are clearly intertwined. That is because mental health issue and substance abuse doesn’t just affect mood or behavior; it affects everything such as: 

• Decision-making
• Emotional regulation
• Physical health
• Safety
• Relationships
• Long-term stability

And in higher-risk situations, untreated or partially treated mental health issue and substance abuse can increase the risk of: 

• Relapse 
• Self-harm behaviors 
• Suicide  
• Physical health complications 
• Repeated hospitalizations or emergency interventions 

This is why our structured, consistent care is important. 

How to Treat Dual Diagnosis? 

For individuals dealing with a diagnosis of mental health issues and substance use and abuse, therapy alone isn’t always enough. Medication support is an important part of care. 

Therapy addresses behavioral patterns and underlying psychological drivers, but it may not sufficiently stabilize neurochemical imbalances or severe psychiatric symptoms that sustain substance use and relapse. Thus, Medication is needed to regulate mood, reduce cravings, and manage the co-occurring symptoms, thereby helping with enhancing treatment adherence and improving overall clinical outcomes.

At GenPsych, our clinicians use medications such as: 

• Buprenorphine-based treatments (Suboxone, Subutex, Sublocade, Brixadi) 
• Naltrexone (Vivitrol) 
• Acamprosate (Campral) 
• Disulfiram (Antabuse) 

Note: these medications are not “quick fixes” in themselves, but they are tools that help: 

• Reduce cravings 
• Stabilize brain chemistry 
• Support emotional regulation 
• Improve ability to engage in therapy 

When combined with our therapy and structure, we have enough evidence that they significantly improve treatment outcomes for many individuals.  

Medicaid and Other Insurance Plans accepted at GenPsych Princeton

One thing that often gets overlooked in treatment is logistics. Because even if someone is motivated to get help, barriers can still get in the way. Hence, at GenPsych Princeton, New Jersey, we cover your transportation from sober living houses to GenPsych Princeton location and back to the sober living houses.

• Transportation from and back to sober living homes 
• Insurance acceptance (including Medicaid and other major plans) 
• Structured morning programming (30–90 days framework)

Dual Diagnosis: Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment in Princeton, New Jersey 

At GenPsych in Princeton, New Jersey, care is designed around the reality of what each adult is actually facing, before diagnosis. That means our care routine is specific to different individuals. 

The program offers: 

• A specialized dual diagnosis treatment model 
• Morning-only program for over 30–90 days 
• Medication-supported care when appropriate 
• Nurse practitioner involvement for clinical oversight 
• Transportation support from sober living environments 
• Acceptance of Medicaid and other major insurance plans for adults 

Our goal is simple: to help adults in Princeton, New Jersey rebuild consistency, clarity, and direction in their daily lives.

Thus, for individuals in and around Princeton, Trenton, Hamilton, and surrounding New Jersey communities, this type of integrated support can be a critical step toward long-term recovery and stability. If this resonates with you or someone you care about, know that support is available. 

• Verify your insurance coverage 
• Reach us to learn about our treatment options. 

You can reach GenPsych directly at: 📞 855-436-7792 or send us a mail on 📧 info@genpsych.com