Individuals struggling with major mental health issues such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and personality disorders often suffer from addiction problems along with their psychiatric illness. The co-existence of these problems is referenced to as Dual-Diagnosis. This sickness is a challenge for dual diagnosis treatment centres, family, friends and those diagnosed with the condition. The emotional or psychiatric illness can make recovery challenging for those suffering from addiction, and the issues of chemical dependency can make it a challenge to accurately treat psychological issues.

The diagnostic challenge of identifying which effects come from alcohol or drug use and which are existing psychiatric effects is best handled by mental health professionals who work with dual diagnosis treatment centres.. Diagnosis starts with consultations with the person under-going treatment, as well as that person's family and loved ones. The insight gleaned from extensive interviews helps doctors begin diagnosis. Interviews are followed with intensive evaluation of the client's behaviors, in an attempt to identify in what ways drug or alcohol use might be effecting everyday living. It is also important to look at any negative effects that a potentially dual-diagnosed person's substance addiction has on work, school, family and friends. An exploration of family history to find any relatives with substance addiction or psychiatric problems follows interviews and evaluation of behavior.

Despite the immense problems and many pitfalls related to dual-diagnosis, sufferers at dual diagnosis treatment centres can receive effective treatment and the effects of dual-diagnosis can be managed. The first step is controlling alcohol and drug use. A person must be relieved of the symptoms of intoxication and withdrawal before psychological complications can be treated effectively. Once sobriety is achieved, dual diagnosis treatment centers can commence therapy for the mental health issues the dual-diagnosis client is struggling with. Treatment methods used by mental health experts can include psychiatric therapy and medication. By addressing sleep and stress management, and offering individual and group therapy, doctors will help the patient deal with mental health challenges. These efforts on the part of psychologists, together with support from friends and relations, will stimulate healing from psychological and addictive challenges.

In addition to the primary problems of their dual-diagnosis, there are often medical challenges occurring from drug use that need to be taken care of before treatment can commence. The dual-diagnosed are often impaired or in crisis and lack the voice to reach out to the people who can help them. They are often without support because of conflict with loved ones, or without resources because of unemployability. Shortage of finances can make it very hard to consider enrolling at a dual diagnosis treatment facility. An intimidating hard to deal with problem when attempting to treat dual-diagnosis is that affected people are usually unable to ask for help or seek treatment on their own.

Friends and family are frustrated when they attempt to help their loved ones afflicted with dual-diagnosis. Every attempt to help seems to end up in a conflict and only make things worse. They feel rejected as their attempts to better the lives of their dual-diagnosed loved ones lead to strong feelings of resentment and hopelessness. There are things that family members can do to help, however. First, friends and family need to make sure that they've done all things possible to realize what their loved ones are facing and that they've done everything they can to help themselves before seeking to assist their family with the complex and confusing issues of dual-diagnosis. Friends can watch out for behaviors that may be a signal of relapse and assist their loved ones participate in treatment. It is often close friends and family members who are responsible for getting a man or woman with dual diagnosis into dual diagnosis treatment facilities. When someone with dual-diagnosis is lacking the resources to enter a treatment center, the assistance of friends and family often is the thing that helps them to get help.