WHAT WE TREAT
Co-occurring conditions, also known as dual diagnosis, refer to the presence of both a mental health disorder and substance use dependency in the same individual. These conditions are closely linked, with one often worsening the other. For example, someone experiencing anxiety, depression, ADHD, or trauma may turn to substances as a way to cope, only to find that their mental health challenges become even more overwhelming.
In addition, even without a substance abuse issue, mental health conditions rarely exist in isolation; it’s common for individuals to experience multiple, overlapping disorders. Someone with ADHD may also struggle with anxiety, just as individuals with borderline personality disorder often face challenges with eating disorders. Recognising and treating these complexities with an integrated, compassionate approach is essential to achieving lasting recovery and well-being.
Through our unique combination of medical, psychological, and personal care, we are proud to be the only clinic in the world that addresses co-occurring conditions and every potential root cause of your suffering. Our approach includes a focus on identifying biochemical imbalances and underlying functional issues, which are often key contributors to depression. By utilising advanced medical treatments, including medication, rTMS, and psychedelic-assisted therapy, alongside intensive psychotherapy, we are able to target all aspects of your condition.
This holistic and comprehensive approach allows us to address the complex layers of your pain and the coping mechanisms you’ve employed to manage that pain. In addressing each of these issues, we can help you recover in a matter of weeks, rather than months or years.
Which conditions you struggle with will depend on your unique history, personality and genetics. That being said, some conditions overlap more than others. The most common co-occurring disorders include:
- Depression and alcohol addiction
Depression often brings an unrelenting inner critic, leading to exhaustion and despair. Alcohol offers temporary relief by boosting dopamine, but as a depressant, it ultimately worsens symptoms and impairs emotional regulation. Many unknowingly use alcohol to self-medicate, becoming trapped in addiction. This creates a cycle where sobriety intensifies depression, making alcohol feel essential. Since addiction can fuel depression and vice versa, treating both simultaneously through a dual-diagnosis approach is crucial for lasting recovery.
- Depression & prescription medication addiction
Like alcohol, depression increases the risk of prescription medication dependency, especially with highly addictive opioids like oxycodone and morphine. Depression is often excruciating, and the sedative effects of painkillers can temporarily numb emotional pain. For some, these medications provide the energy to function, making them even more enticing. However, prolonged use leads to dependency, trapping individuals in addiction.
- Bipolar disorder & alcohol addiction
Alcohol abuse is common in people with bipolar disorder, as they cycle between manic episodes of high energy and depression marked by fatigue and sadness. During mania, alcohol’s sedative effects can feel relieving, while in depression, it numbs difficult emotions. This creates an unconscious coping mechanism for managing the mood swings. Over time, alcohol becomes a way to escape both the highs and lows, leading to dependency. If you suspect you have both bipolar disorder and alcohol addiction, seeking treatment that addresses dual diagnoses is essential for effective recovery.
- Major depressive disorder & eating disorders
Major depressive disorder is a common root cause of eating disorders. Research shows that 32-39% of those with anorexia, 36-50% with bulimia, and 33% with binge eating disorder also struggle with depression. Eating disorders often serve as a way to manage the sadness and hopelessness of depression, offering a false sense of control. They can become obsessive and addictive, distracting from depressive symptoms. However, when depression co-occurs with anorexia, it significantly raises the risk of suicide and lowers the chance of long-term recovery. Treating depression first is crucial to effectively addressing the eating disorder and improving outcomes.
- ADHD & cocaine abuse
Studies show a strong link between ADHD and substance abuse, particularly cocaine dependency. ADHD is characterised by low dopamine levels, which affect motivation and focus. Stimulants like cocaine temporarily increase dopamine, offering relief from these symptoms. Over time, this leads to addiction, as tolerance builds and more cocaine is needed to achieve the same effect and the addiction worsens emotional regulation, exacerbating your ADHD symptoms. Effective treatment must address both ADHD and addiction for successful, long-term recovery.
- Anxiety & alcohol addiction
Alcohol provides short-term relief for anxiety by depressing the central nervous system, creating a calming effect. However, over time, it increases overall anxiety levels, particularly when withdrawal symptoms set in. This cycle can lead to reliance on alcohol to manage even minor stressors, making recovery more difficult.
- Anxiety & eating disorders
People with anxiety disorders often develop eating disorders as a way to exert control over their emotions. Restrictive eating or bingeing can momentarily reduce anxiety, but these behaviours reinforce negative thought patterns and increase long-term distress. Nutritional deficiencies caused by disordered eating can also worsen anxiety symptoms, creating a self-perpetuating cycle.
- PTSD & opioid addiction
Individuals with PTSD may use opioids to numb physical and emotional pain, particularly if they struggle with flashbacks or hyper-vigilance. While opioids can provide temporary relief, they impair emotional processing and increase dependency. Over time, opioid addiction can make PTSD symptoms more severe, trapping individuals in a cycle of avoidance and substance reliance.
- Borderline personality disorder & substance abuse
People with borderline personality disorder (BPD) often struggle with emotional dys-regulation and impulsivity, which can make substance abuse more likely. Drugs and alcohol may be used to manage intense emotions, but they ultimately worsen mood swings and instability. This combination increases the risk of self-harm, erratic behaviour, and difficulties in relationships.
- OCD & alcohol addiction
Individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) may turn to alcohol to quiet intrusive thoughts and compulsions. However, alcohol impairs cognitive function, making obsessions even harder to control when sober. Over time, this can lead to dependency, as individuals increasingly rely on alcohol to find relief from their symptoms.
bespoke treatment
How we treat co-occurring conditions
While we can’t predict exactly what your four-week stay will entail, we ensure that every step of your treatment journey is tailored to your needs, making us uniquely equipped to address all co-occurring conditions. At Paracelsus Recovery, no two patients follow the same path. Each client receives a bespoke treatment plan, designed specifically for them, with each day carefully structured to incorporate a variety of therapies.
These therapies work together to address every aspect of your health, from physical to emotional and psychological, giving you the best chance for recovery. Whether you’re managing depression and alcohol dependency or anxiety and an eating disorder, our holistic approach provides the support and tools to guide you through.
If you’re unsure whether you may be struggling with a dual diagnosis, don’t worry. Our assessment process is designed to identify any underlying mental health or substance use issues, even those you may not yet have a diagnosis for.
Our approach considers the whole person: mind, body and soul
At Paracelsus Recovery, we reject the ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. Instead, we create a personalised treatment programme tailored to your specific needs. While we integrate cutting-edge therapies and holistic care, it is your individual experience that guides our work together.
Our 360-degree approach combines advanced medical interventions and intensive psychotherapy, specifically tailored for individuals with dual diagnosis, including mental health conditions such as anxiety, eating disorders, ADHD, and PTSD, alongside substance use or other co-occurring issues. Each treatment plan is developed through extensive testing to uncover the underlying causes of both your mental health and any additional challenges you may face. For instance, we provide a range of treatments, including medication when appropriate, and incorporate innovative therapies such as rTMS (repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) and psychedelic-assisted therapy, which have shown promising results in treating a variety of conditions. Additionally, psychotherapeutic approaches like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) address the emotional and psychological dimensions of your conditions.
With your unique needs at the forefront, we ensure a comprehensive, personalised treatment plan that supports your recovery and long-term mental well-being
15+ team members, all dedicated to your health and well-being
Our team is made up of world-renowned doctors, therapists, and specialists, including a Nobel Prize-winning board member. This dedicated team of more than 15 professionals will support you during your entire stay with us. A live-in therapist will also be available for emotional support 24/7 from when you arrive to when you leave.
From the moment you arrive until your departure, your live-in therapist will be by your side, providing guidance, reassurance, and a consistent presence to help you navigate through the challenges of depression. In addition, you will have a dedicated psychiatrist who will manage your psychotherapeutic and medical care, ensuring the right balance of medication and treatment. Intensive psychotherapy, including personalised sessions with both specialist therapists and your psychiatrist, will address the emotional and psychological aspects of your depression, empowering you to make meaningful progress on your path to recovery.
Comprehensive programmes as unique as you are
Each of our treatment programmes is carefully curated to each client’s specific set of needs. Those needs may be physical and psychological, e.g. if our team identifies nutritional deficiencies or signs of addiction during the assessment period, your programme would be shaped with these in mind. However, those needs can be practical too – such as when a client needs to work or travel during their stay at our rehab for depression.
We can provide treatment for co-occurring conditions at our private treatment centre in Zurich.
FURTHER READING