When your teen is struggling with their mental health and using drugs or alcohol, you may not know where to turn. Watching your son cut off family and friends, lose interest in activities he once loved, or show signs of drug or alcohol use is heartbreaking. You can help him find a better way forward, even if you don’t have all the answers right now.Â
Teens dealing with both mental health issues and substance use—known as co-occurring disorders—need comprehensive, coordinated care. Unfortunately, many treatment centers in Palm Beach Gardens treat these issues separately. For example, a teen might attend therapy for depression in one place while receiving substance use counseling in another, with little communication between providers. This fragmented approach often falls short because both issues are deeply connected and fuel one another.Â
What is dual diagnosis in teens?Â
Dual diagnosis, also called co-occurring disorders, happens when someone has both a mental health condition and a substance use disorder. These issues are closely related. According to one study, around six out of ten teenagers with substance use disorders also struggled with mental health disorders.Â
Common combinations include:Â
- Depression with alcohol useÂ
- Anxiety with marijuana useÂ
- ADHD with stimulant abuseÂ
These pairings aren’t random—teens often turn to substances to self-medicate symptoms they can’t manage. In communities like Palm Beach Gardens, where academic and social pressures run high, teens may use substances to cope, whether it’s alcohol to ease social anxiety or stimulants to focus during exams.Â
Teen substance use and mental health statistics: Palm Beach CountyÂ
According to the 2024 Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey, Palm Beach County middle and high schoolers are at risk.Â
- 12% used alcohol in the month before the studyÂ
- Nearly 5% binge drankÂ
- 6% vaped nicotine, and nearly 5% vaped marijuanaÂ
- 23% considered suicide, and 20% made a suicide planÂ
Why dual diagnosis is common among teensÂ
The teenage brain is still developing, especially the areas responsible for decision-making and impulse control. This makes teens more vulnerable to both mental health challenges and risky behaviors like substance abuse. The prefrontal cortex, which controls planning and risk assessment, doesn’t fully develop until the mid-twenties. This can lead to impulsive decisions about substance use, particularly when mental health issues are untreated.Â
Teens may also self-medicate to manage their symptoms. Someone with undiagnosed depression might use alcohol to feel better temporarily, while a teen with anxiety might turn to marijuana to relax in social situations. While these substances may provide short-term relief, they quickly lead to dependency and worsen the underlying issues.Â
Why integrated treatment is essentialÂ
Mental health disorders and substance use are deeply connected. For example, depression may lead a teen to use alcohol for temporary relief, but drinking—especially over a long period—alters brain chemistry and makes depression worse. This creates a cycle where substance use temporarily masks symptoms while worsening the overall problem.Â
Both conditions affect the same brain systems responsible for mood, motivation, and reward. When teens rely on substances to cope, they disrupt natural emotional regulation. Over time, the brain becomes dependent on substances to feel balanced, which complicates recovery. It’s not a matter of choosing drugs or alcohol over family or goals. They’re caught in a neurochemical cycle that’s hard to break without proper treatment.Â
Advantages of integrated careÂ
Integrated dual diagnosis treatment tackles both mental health and substance use disorders at the same time. This approach ensures that all aspects of a teen’s challenges are addressed together, rather than in isolation.Â
Coordinated care teams work toward common goals. Psychiatrists, therapists, and addiction counselors share information and adjust personalized treatment plans based on a comprehensive understanding of the teen’s needs.Â
Risks of treating conditions separatelyÂ
In 2023, around 609,000 adolescents (71%) with co-occurring disorders got treatment—but most (68.8%) only got mental health treatment. Parallel care doesn’t get to the root of the issues that teens are struggling with.Â
Conflicts in careÂ
Separate treatment often overlooks how mental health and substance use feed into each other. A therapist might miss how anxiety drives substance use, while an addiction counselor might not recognize that periods of sobriety coincide with worsening depression. These missed connections leave teens without the tools they need to break the cycle.Â
Conflicts in medication or therapy approaches can also arise without coordination. Some psychiatric medications may be unsuitable for teens with addiction histories, while avoiding necessary medications can worsen mental health symptoms.Â
Increased risk of relapseÂ
Teens receiving separate treatment are more likely to relapse. Untreated mental health issues can lead to a return to substance use, while unresolved addiction can destabilize mental health progress. This cycle of failed treatment attempts leaves families frustrated and teens disheartened.Â
The revolving door effect—repeated treatment attempts without lasting success—can erode trust in the process. Families may lose hope or delay seeking the integrated care their teen needs.Â
Long-term consequencesÂ
Untreated dual diagnosis can have lasting effects on education, relationships, and future mental health. Academic struggles during the teen years can limit opportunities for college or careers. Damaged family and peer relationships may carry into adulthood. Early intervention with integrated care reduces these risks and sets a foundation for long-term success.Â
How Family First approaches dual diagnosis careÂ
Co-occurring disorders in teens require meaningful care. Family First Adolescent Services provides coordinated, comprehensive care that addresses the interconnected nature of mental health and substance use challenges. Our evidence-based therapies—such as CBT, DBT, and EMDR—help teens explore the root issues that affect their mental health and lead to substance use.Â
Our Palm Beach Gardens campus offers 24/7 support, with residential programs for teen boys who need intensive treatment. Being at our safe, secure center ensures your son will get immediate attention when mental health symptoms or substance use urges arise.Â
Tailored to Palm Beach Gardens teensÂ
Family First has been serving South Florida families for more than a decade. We know that you’re looking for a higher standard than just another treatment center. Our comfortable, home-like accommodations and quick access to the beach help your teen feel comfortable and at ease while receiving expert care.Â
Family involvementÂ
We involve families through regular updates, parent education, and family therapy sessions. By improving communication and addressing family dynamics, we create a supportive environment that reinforces recovery.Â
Building skills for the futureÂ
Integrated care for substance use and mental health at Family First emphasizes academic support, life skills, and relapse prevention. Teens learn practical strategies to manage challenges and maintain progress after treatment, preparing them for long-term success.Â
We’re here when you need helpÂ
Integrated care is the most effective way to address dual diagnosis in teens. By treating mental health and substance use disorders together, our team provides the comprehensive support teens need for lasting recovery. If your family is ready to explore treatment options, contact us at 888.904.5947 to learn more.Â