Dual Diagnosis Therapy:
Integrated Care for Whole-Person Recovery

Dual diagnosis therapy treats mental illness and substance use together through integrated care. Learn how holistic treatment supports lasting recovery.
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Written and reviewed by the clinical team at New Life Recovery in Fresno, California, including licensed therapists, medical professionals, and recovery specialists committed to helping individuals build healthier futures.

What This Page Covers

Here’s a quick look at what this article delves into:
  • What Dual Diagnosis Is: Dual diagnosis (also called co-occurring disorders) refers to having both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder at the same time.
  • How Mental Illness and Substance Use Are Connected: One condition can worsen the other, and factors like trauma, stress, or genetics often contribute to both.
  • How New Life Recovery Treats Dual Diagnosis: We use a fully integrated approach that combines clinical care, psychiatric support, and holistic therapies, including yoga and nutrition.
  • Therapies and Treatments Offered: Individuals receive personalized care through therapy, medication management, trauma-informed practices, and experiential therapies like cold plunges and sound baths.
  • Why Integrated Care Matters: Treating both conditions together improves outcomes, reduces relapse, and helps clients rebuild physical health, emotional balance, and long-term stability.
If you or a loved one is facing both substance use and mental health challenges, New Life Recovery offers compassionate, integrated care tailored to your journey. Reach out today.

Table of Contents

What Is Dual Diagnosis?

Dual diagnosis refers to when someone has both a mental illness and a substance use disorder (SUD) at the same time. This is also called co-occurring disorders, and millions of Americans every year experience both conditions simultaneously.

An example of dual diagnosis might be a person who experiences chronic depression and then utilizes alcohol to self-medicate. Over time, the drinking makes the depression worse, which then fuels more alcohol use disorder symptoms. Without proper care, the cycle deepens and becomes harder to break.

However, it’s important to understand that even if someone has both a substance use disorder and a mental illness, it doesn’t always mean that one caused the other. In some cases, environmental and genetic factors also contribute to the co-occurrence of these conditions.1
Dual Diagnosis Therapy

New Life Recovery’s Dual Diagnosis Therapy in California

At New Life Recovery, we understand that healing isn’t just about treating substance use disorder or mental illness in isolation. Our integrated, whole-person approach to dual diagnosis therapy provides the coordinated care clients need to achieve sustainable recovery.
Dual diagnosis therapy at New Life Recovery considers every aspect of an individual’s well-being in order to effectively help them overcome dual diagnosis and improve their quality of life.
We address substance use disorder and mental illness in tandem by using evidence-based therapies, medical support, and holistic healing practices like yoga.

Understanding the Stats

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in 2021, 19.4 million U.S. adults had both a substance use disorder and a mental illness.2
In another study, it was discovered that 1 in 4 people with a serious mental illness also had a substance use disorder.3
These numbers highlight the prevalence of dual diagnosis and the urgent need for comprehensive care. At New Life Recovery, we use these data points to guide evidence-based practices that address the realities our clients face.

What Dual Diagnosis Therapy Looks Like

At New Life Recovery, dual diagnosis therapy begins with a full clinical and holistic assessment. This helps our team understand your symptoms, history, and treatment goals.

From there, we create a personalized care plan that blends mental health and addiction services into one dual diagnosis therapy system.

Core Components of Treatment

Every component of our dual diagnosis program is designed to support sustainable healing, promote emotional stability, and build resilience for long-term recovery.

We offer:

Psychiatric Evaluation and Medication Management

We start off with providing a comprehensive psychiatric assessment conducted by a licensed provider. This evaluation helps us identify any underlying mental health disorders and determine if medication is appropriate.
If needed, medication is prescribed carefully – it is not used to replace therapy, but to stabilize symptoms so that you can fully engage in treatment. Ongoing monitoring ensures that medications are safe, effective, and well-tolerated.

Individual and Group Therapy

We offer both individual and group therapy as core components of care. One-on-one sessions provide a private space for you to explore personal struggles, build coping skills, and work through past experiences.
Additionally, group therapy fosters connection and accountability, reminding each person they are not alone in their recovery.

Trauma-Informed Treatment Practices

All of our services are grounded in trauma-informed practices. Many clients with dual diagnosis also have a history of trauma, especially women.4

This is why we create a treatment environment that prioritizes safety, empowerment, and trust. Therapists are trained to recognize trauma responses and adapt their methods accordingly so that everyone who comes through our doors can move at their own pace without fear of judgment.

dual diagnosis therapy

Holistic Practices in Dual Diagnosis Therapy

One of the cornerstones of New Life Recovery’s dual diagnosis program is the integration of holistic modalities.
When individuals experience trauma, substance use disorder, or prolonged stress, the body stores these experiences, often leading to chronic dysregulation.5
Addressing these imbalances holistically supports long-term healing, which is why we offer the following holistic therapies in our dual diagnosis therapy programs:

Yoga and Mindfulness

Yoga and mindfulness help clients reconnect with their bodies, reduce stress, and enhance emotional regulation. Additionally, regular sessions promote self-awareness and resilience, which are essential for the healing and sobriety process.

Nutrition and Physical Wellness

Proper nutrition is essential for replenishing nutrients depleted by substance use, encouraging physical recovery, and promoting overall well-being.
New Life Recovery provides nutritional education programs that empower clients to make informed dietary choices, and our on-site chef also cooks nutritious meals to help individuals improve their health.

Experiential Therapies

There are several experiential therapies we offer in dual diagnosis therapy that help you rewire your brain and start to love your life again, including:

Sound Baths

Sound baths use vibrational frequencies to help calm the mind and body. The rhythmic tones help regulate brainwaves and reduce anxiety, providing a meditative experience that supports emotional grounding.

Cold Plunge Therapy

This triggers the body’s natural stress response and then trains it to recover. Regular cold exposure can reduce inflammation, improve mood, and increase resilience to both physical and mental stress.

Infrared Saunas

Infrared saunas promote detoxification, improve circulation, and induce a deeply relaxed state. The gentle heat stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, allowing the body to enter a restorative state crucial for healing.
Together, these (and other experiential) therapies help regulate the nervous system. They also help to release built-up stress and offer physical sensations of safety and calm, which allows you to work through the complex layers of co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.

Levels of Care for Dual Diagnosis Therapy at New Life Recovery

New Life Recovery provides a full continuum of care on our campus to support individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.

Each level of care is designed to meet the client where they are in their recovery journey to ensure safety, stability, and sustained progress.
Here’s a closer look at our full continuum of care:

Medical Detox

The dual diagnosis therapy process often begins with medical detox, where clients are closely monitored by clinical staff 24/7 to manage withdrawal symptoms safely.
This stage stabilizes the body, addresses any acute medical needs, and prepares clients for deeper therapeutic work.

Sub-Acute Detox

For individuals who do not require intensive medical intervention but still need support, sub-acute detox offers a structured environment with medical oversight and emotional support. Clients begin engaging in light therapeutic activities while continuing to detoxify their system.

Inpatient Residential Treatment

Once physically stabilized, clients move into inpatient residential treatment, where they live on campus and receive immersive, structured care. This level includes daily individual and group therapy, psychiatric care, and holistic services.

The focus shifts to addressing the root causes of mental health and substance use conditions, building coping strategies, and forming new behavioral patterns.

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

As clients gain stability, they transition to our partial hospitalization program. This allows for continued intensive therapy during the day while offering more personal autonomy.

Clients attend multiple therapeutic sessions periodically, including individual, group, and holistic therapies, while beginning to reconnect with life outside of residential care.

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

Our intensive outpatient program provides flexible treatment for individuals reintegrating into work, school, or home life.

Clients attend therapy sessions several times a week in a supportive and structured setting that emphasizes recovery sustenance, emotional regulation, and skill application in real-world situations.

Outpatient & Aftercare Needs

Long-term recovery is reinforced through outpatient treatment and aftercare planning. Clients may participate in weekly therapy sessions, alumni groups, or continued holistic services.

Aftercare ensures ongoing accountability, connection, and support as clients maintain their progress and navigate the challenges of post-treatment life.

dual diagnosis therapy

Why Choose Dual Diagnosis Therapy at New Life Recovery?

New Life Recovery stands apart as a leading center for dual diagnosis treatment by combining professional expertise with compassionate, whole-person care.

Our multidisciplinary, Fresno drug and alcohol rehab team ensures that you feel supported and cared for, every step of the way.

Licensed Professionals with Experience in Dual Diagnosis Therapy

Clients are supported by a multidisciplinary team of licensed therapists, psychiatrists, addiction specialists, and holistic practitioners who are experienced in treating co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
This ensures that each individual receives clinically sound and evidence-based care guided by the latest best practices.

All Services Offered on One California-Based Campus

New Life Recovery provides every level of care—from detox to outpatient—on a single campus. This integrated setup eliminates the need for transfers between facilities and ensures continuity throughout every phase of treatment.
With all services in one location, clients experience smoother transitions, stronger therapeutic relationships, and greater overall stability.

Supportive Environment That Nurtures Both Mind and Body

Healing thrives in a safe and nurturing setting. New Life Recovery offers a calm and welcoming environment designed to support growth, reflection, and connection.
Clients have access to serene outdoor spaces, comfortable accommodations, nutritious meals, and restorative therapies, all designed to develop a sense of well-being and self-discovery.

Let’s Start Your New, Healthier Life

If you or someone you love is struggling with both mental health challenges and substance use, help is available. At New Life Recovery, we offer an integrated, whole-person approach that addresses the full scope of your needs.
Our compassionate team is here to guide you through dual diagnosis therapy with personalized care, clinical expertise, and holistic support in one safe environment.
Healing is not just possible, it’s within reach. Let New Life Recovery help you take the first step toward lasting wellness. Contact us today.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Some commonly asked questions we receive about dual diagnosis therapy include:
What is dual diagnosis?
Dual diagnosis, or co-occurring disorders, means someone is living with both a mental health condition and a substance use disorder.
At New Life Recovery, we take an integrated approach to the healing process by combining therapy, medication management, and holistic support to treat the whole person.
Signs include turning to substances to manage anxiety or depression, intense mood swings, isolation, erratic behavior or other mental conditions, and trouble quitting without feeling worse.
For an accurate diagnosis, it’s important to contact a professional.
New Life Recovery offers full-spectrum dual diagnosis therapy right here in Fresno. We specialize in helping clients heal from co-occurring disorders in a safe and supportive environment.
Our integrated treatment approach also eliminates the need to switch between different providers or locations.
Yes, you can achieve profound recovery from both a substance use disorder and a mental illness simultaneously. In fact, effective and lasting healing is most likely when both conditions are treated together through an integrated approach.
New Life Recovery understands that these are not separate battles but two sides of the same coin, and our coordinated care ensures that both are addressed concurrently for true and sustainable well-being.
New Life Recovery distinguishes itself by offering a full continuum of care, all provided within a single, cohesive environment. This means clients do not have to go through the disruptive experience of transferring between different facilities as their needs evolve.
This unique “one-stop-shop” model is crucial for maintaining unparalleled consistency in treatment, fostering deeper therapeutic relationships, and significantly improving overall client engagement.

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