Dual Diagnosis Treatment for Co-Occurring Mental Health and Addiction

When a mental health condition and a drug or alcohol problem show up together, treating one without the other rarely gets to the bottom of things. Deakin Private Hospital's Dual Diagnosis program is an inpatient program in Canberra built specifically around this overlap, often called a co-occurring disorder. Rather than being split across separate services, both sides of what you are going through are cared for together by one treating team.

In short: Dual Diagnosis is an inpatient program at Deakin Private Hospital for people managing a mental health condition and a substance use or addictive disorder at the same time. Following a referral from a GP or treating psychiatrist, care is delivered by one integrated team so your mental health treatment and your addiction treatment are planned together, not as two separate, competing processes.

What dual diagnosis means

Dual diagnosis, often referred to as a co-occurring disorder, describes the situation where a mental health condition, such as depression, anxiety, PTSD or a mood disorder, exists alongside a substance use or addictive disorder. The two are often closely connected, so when they are understood and treated together, recovery can feel more complete and easier to sustain.

Why treating both conditions together matters

Substance use can mask, worsen or mimic symptoms of a mental health condition, and untreated mental health symptoms can make it far harder to sustain change in alcohol or drug use. Deakin Private Hospital's Dual Diagnosis program is designed so your treating team addresses both at once, rather than requiring you to complete treatment for one condition before addiction is properly considered, or the reverse.

What the program involves

The Dual Diagnosis Program is a structured two-week inpatient program, combining psychiatric care with daily group-based psychoeducation. Morning group sessions explore how mental health and substance use connect, covering topics such as managing cravings, understanding triggers, mindfulness, self-compassion, relapse prevention and rebuilding your support networks. Afternoons follow the broader inpatient timetable, giving you time to put new skills into practice in a supportive setting. Your treating team will tailor your overall care plan once your admission assessment is complete, as everyone’s experience of dual diagnosis is different.

Is this program right for you

This program is intended for adults whose mental health condition and substance use are closely connected, where separate or sequential treatment has not addressed the full picture. A referral from a GP or treating psychiatrist is required, and our Admissions Team can help confirm whether Dual Diagnosis or another program is the better fit for your circumstances.

How to start

1. Get a referral. Talk to your GP or treating psychiatrist about both your mental health and your substance use, and ask about a referral to Deakin Private Hospital's Dual Diagnosis program.
2. Call our Admissions Team. Once your referral is ready, call 1800 961 391 or submit our online enquiry form, and our team will discuss your situation and answer your questions.
3. Confirm your admission. Our Admissions Team will review your referral, talk through funding, including private health insurance cover, and confirm your admission date. You will also receive a Patient Handbook so you know what to expect.
4. Begin your program. Once you are admitted, your treating psychiatrist will meet with you to understand your history across both your mental health and substance use, and work with you to shape your treatment plan.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a diagnosis for both conditions before I am referred?

Not necessarily. What matters most is that both a mental health concern and a substance use concern are present. Once you are admitted, your psychiatrist will assess both and confirm your diagnoses as part of shaping your treatment plan.

Is Dual Diagnosis an inpatient or day program?

Dual Diagnosis is a two-week inpatient program, meaning care is delivered as part of a hospital admission rather than day visits.

What if I am already being treated for one of these conditions elsewhere?

Let your GP or psychiatrist know about your existing treatment when making a referral. This helps us coordinate your care with your current supports, rather than duplicate them, both during your stay and after you go home.

Talk to our team about Dual Diagnosis treatment

If your mental health and substance use are affecting you together, treating them as one connected picture is often the more effective path forward. Speak with your GP about a referral, or contact our Admissions Team directly on 1800 961 391 or by email at dkn.admissions@imh.com.au.