What is dual diagnosis?

Dual diagnosis means that a person has a substance use disorder and a mental health condition at the same time. These are also called co-occurring disorders. The relationship between them differs from person to person.

Read the National Library of Medicine’s overview of dual diagnosis for general information. The topics below are educational resources, not a list of conditions automatically accepted at Legacy.

Discuss both substance use and mental health concerns with a qualified clinician when considering treatment.

Understanding co-occurring needs

Substance use and mental health conditions can affect one another in different ways. Having both does not establish which came first or whether one caused the other.

Some people use alcohol or drugs in an attempt to cope with distress. Substance use can also contribute to mental health problems, and shared risk factors can affect both. An individual assessment is important; there is no single sequence that explains everyone’s experience.

At Legacy Texas, co-occurring mental health needs are considered within men’s residential addiction treatment. Our admissions team can discuss the assessment process and whether the program may be appropriate.

Residential care at Legacy Texas

The program information below explains how therapy, recovery activities and daily structure fit together, including the boundaries around medication and outside detox coordination.

Key components of our program include:

  • Behavioral Therapies: Evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) help clients explore the underlying causes of addiction and mental health struggles.
  • Holistic Services: Mindfulness techniques, fitness programs, and personalized nutritional care are incorporated to support physical and emotional recovery.
  • Co-occurring care, medication, and detox coordination: Legacy Texas supports men with co-occurring mental health and substance use needs. Legacy Texas does not provide detoxification or medication-assisted treatment (MAT) onsite. When detox is clinically necessary, those services are coordinated with an outside provider before admission. Legacy Texas can support clients who are already on an appropriate medication regimen when clinically appropriate.
  • Group and Individual Therapy: Clients benefit from personalized one-on-one sessions and shared support in group settings.
  • 12-Step Integration: Immersion in 12-step principles provides practical tools for maintaining sobriety and building a strong support network.

Explore Legacy's program, team and setting

Choosing treatment means understanding both the care and the people involved. These starting points can help you explore Legacy and prepare for a conversation with admissions.

Our family guide to comparing men’s residential treatment includes questions about the care provided, staff qualifications, daily life and costs.

Take a closer look:

  • Community and accountability: Residential care gives men opportunities to practice recovery skills alongside others.
  • Meet our team: Learn about the people involved in care and ask how the team would assess your needs.
  • Explore the setting: See the Elgin campus and ask admissions about current facilities and activities.

You don’t need to make every decision before starting a conversation. Our admissions team can learn about your situation, explain the assessment process and discuss whether Legacy’s residential program may be appropriate.

Speak with our admissions team to ask questions about the program and next steps.

Speak with the Legacy team

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