How can I get help for my loved one who has a substance abuse issue and a mental health condition (dual diagnosis)?

Note: NAMI volunteers are not medical or mental health professionals, and we cannot offer medical or mental health advice. The material outlined below is informational and we hope that it helps provide guidance toward getting support.

Dual Diagnosis is a term that describes when someone experiences a mental illness and a substance use disorder at the same time. People experiencing a mental health condition may turn to alcohol or other substances as a form of self-medication to improve the mental health symptoms they experience. However, research shows that drugs and alcohol tend to worsen symptoms of mental illness.

It’s important for people with dually diagnosed mental health and substance use disorders to get treatment for both conditions. You might consider seeking treatment for your loved one from professionals who have experience treating both. Integrated health facilities that offer physical health care, mental health care, and substance use disorder treatment may offer programs that target each of these wellness needs. Such programs are often found in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) or Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CBHCs).

If your loved one’s substance use disorder has caused significant impairment in their daily life such that they cannot take care of basic needs or keep themselves safe, you may wish to explore residential treatment programs. These programs may be particularly helpful if your loved one also lives with a serious mental illness (SMI) such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, as residential treatment offers a high degree of monitoring and support that can help stabilize your loved one and reduce any risk behaviors they might have. If your loved one participates in residential treatment, it’s important they are discharged with a plan that connects them with mental health and substance use treatment in their community.

Use the resources below to find treatment for co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions. Families who can pay out of pocket for services may find success searching online for “dual diagnosis treatment programs near me.”

Find Support and Treatment for your Loved One

SAMHSA Treatment Locator is a federal agency website that provides referrals for substance use disorder treatment facilities. SAMHSA is a good resource for locating low-cost/sliding scale mental health care, substance abuse and dual diagnosis facilities. SAMHSA’s Treatment Locator can narrow search by insurance, cost of treatment and type of treatment. Their website also includes programs like assertive community treatment and residential treatment.
- You can reach SAMHSA at (800) 662-4357; Spanish-language calls are accepted.
- SAMHSA offers a “Find a Treatment Facility Near You” locator function. Search by city or zip code; filter results by type of treatment, payment options, ages served, languages spoken, special programs (e.g. veterans, LGBT, services for deaf and hard of hearing), and more.
- Once you have identified a provider, contact your insurance company to verify coverage. 
The Health Resources and Services Administration has a webpage for locating Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). FQHCs provide care to underserved areas or populations regardless of ability to pay. If there is an FQHC in your area, you may consider contacting them and asking if they offer integrated substance use and mental health treatment services.
The National Council for Mental Wellbeing offers a CCBHC finder to help you locate Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics in your area. CCBHCs are clinics that provide a comprehensive range of mental health and substance use services. CCBHCs typically serve everyone, regardless of insurance or financial status.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism provides NIAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator, where you will find extensive information on alcohol use, how to help someone with an alcohol addiction, a treatment facility finder and guidance on how to find and choose the best treatment options.
Shatterproof is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to reversing the addiction crisis in the United States. Their website provides information on addiction basics, prevention, treatment, recovery, safety, and loss. The website also features a “Find Help” locator function on their website. 
Partnership to End Addiction is an organization that provides resources for addiction prevention, treatment and recovery. They offer phone-based parent coaching in English and Spanish. They also have Spanish resources available on their website. You can reach them at (855) 378-4373. 
Dual Recovery Anonymous (DRA) Resource Center is a 12-step self-help membership organization for individuals with a dual diagnosis. Features a support group search function on its website.
Alcoholics Anonymous provides 12-step self-help groups to help people achieve sobriety; website offers self-assessment tools, FAQs reflections, literature and a “Find a Meeting” app; website is also offered in Spanish. 
Narcotics Anonymous provides 12-step self-help groups to help people achieve sobriety. Website offers a “Find a Meeting” support group locator; filter by meeting type for virtual or hybrid meetings. Contact them at (818) 773-9999 x771.
Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART Recovery) is a self-help program for people seeking to overcome addictive problems. SMART Recovery provides free, peer-led online and in-person support groups for individuals and family members/allies of those living with addiction.  Contact SMART Recovery at (440) 951-5357.

Learn more about dually diagnosed mental health and substance use conditions

NAMI’s Substance Use Disorder webpage provides an overview of substance use disorder and dual diagnosis symptoms, treatment information, and supportive resources.
NAMI Hearts+Minds is a wellness program designed to educate and empower you to better manage your mental and physical health, by sharing information about managing medication side effects, substance abuse and smoking cessation, gut health and nutrition, and more. Find a 4-hour seminar or 4-session course at your local NAMI Affiliate.
The National Institute on Mental Health webpage on Substance Use and Co-Occurring Mental Disorders offers information about risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment for dual diagnoses.
National Institute on Drug Abuse is the lead federal agency supporting scientific research on drug use and addiction. Visit their website for FAQs on addiction, research, data, clinical trials, and news updates.

Find support for yourself

Al-Anon/Al-Ateen offers support and hope for family and friends of individuals (including teen-specific resources) abusing alcohol. Website offers a “Find an Al-Anon Meeting” and “Find an Alateen Meeting” support group locator; phone and online meetings are also available. Contact the meeting line at (888) 425-2666; Spanish-language calls are accepted. Website is available in Spanish.
Nar-Anon provides 12-step self-help groups for relatives and friends of people who have a relative or friend experiencing narcotics addiction. Website offers a “Find a Meeting” support group locator; search by city, state or zip code and distance. Contact them at (800) 477-6291.

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