If you or someone you know is struggling with a dual diagnosis of a substance use disorder and a mental illness, it is important to seek professional help. You should reach out to a healthcare provider or specialized treatment facility that offers integrated care for both conditions. They can provide the right support to help you overcome the challenges of these co-occurring conditions. This is vital to get back on track and lead a fulfilling and healthy life. But finding a dual diagnosis treatment center can be challenging. Calling our drug addiction hotline in Kentucky is the best way to find addiction treatment facilities near you that offer integrated treatment for dual diagnosis.

The National Drug Helpline is a 24/7 toll-free number 1-844-289-0879. Calls are answered by trained professionals who can give you instant access to up-to-date information, resources, and guidance as well as answer all your questions.

The Kentucky drug and alcohol addiction helpline offers you a non-judgmental and safe space to discuss your concerns. We understand the importance of safeguarding your privacy and assure confidentiality to all callers, whether you are calling for yourself or a loved one.

Call the National Drug Helpline on 1-844-289-0879 today to find drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities in Kentucky, including Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green, Owensboro, Covington, and other towns across the state.

KENTUCKY SUBSTANCE ABUSE RESOURCES

SUBSTANCE ABUSE BY YOUTH IN KENTUCKY

The Kentucky Youth Risk Behavior Survey 2021 showed the following findings among 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th graders in the state: [1]

ALCOHOL USE

  • Percentage of students who rode with a driver who had been drinking alcohol: 9.4%
  • Percentage of students who drove a vehicle after they had been drinking in the past 30 days: 2.5%
  • Percentage of students who had their first alcoholic drink before age 13 years: 14.4%
  • Percentage of students who currently drank alcohol: 17.5%
  • Percentage of students who were currently engaged in binge drinking on at least 1 day in the past 30 days: 8.0%
  • Percentage of students who had more than 10 drinks in a row within a couple of hours in the past 30 days: 2.1%
  • Percentage of students who go the alcohol they drank by someone giving it to them: 37.1%

TOBACCO USE

  • Percentage of students who ever tried cigarette smoking: 26.4%
  • Percentage of students who first tried cigarette smoking before age 13 years: 13.5%
  • Percentage of students who smoked cigarettes on at least one day within the past 30 days: 4.9%
  • Percentage of students who currently smoked frequently: 1.3%
  • Percentage of students who smoked more than 10 cigarettes on the days they smoked: 8.2%
  • Percentage of students who ever tried an electronic vape product: 45.1%
  • Percentage of students who currently used an electronic vape product on at least one day in the past 30 days: 21.9%
  • Percentage of students who tried to quit smoking (among students who smoked in the past 12 months): 55.7%

MARIJUANA USE

  • Percentage of students who ever used marijuana: 23.1%
  • Percentage of students who tried marijuana for the first time before age 13 years: 6.1%
  • Percentage of students who used currently used marijuana in the past 30 days: 11.9%
  • Percentage of students who ever used synthetic marijuana (spice, K2, black mamba): 6.7%

PRESCRIPTION PAIN MEDICATION MISUSE

  • Percentage of students who ever took prescription pain medications such as codeine, Vicodin, OxyContin, or Percocet without a doctor’s prescription or differently than prescribed: 10.6%

EXPOSURE TO DRUGS AND ALCOHOL

  • Percentage of students who ever used inhalants: 7.5%
  • Percentage of students who ever used heroin (smack, junk, China White): 1.9%
  • Percentage of students who ever used methamphetamines (speed, crystal meth, ice, crank): 1.7%
  • Percentage of students who ever injected an illegal drug: 1.5%
  • Percentage of students who were ever given or sold a drug on school property: 18.5%

SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN KENTUCKY

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports the following with regards to substance use in Kentucky:

YOUTH AGED 12-17 YEARS

  • Past-month marijuana use was reported by 6.0% of adolescents in 2017-2019 compared to 8.6% in 2002-2004. During a similar timeframe, the US national average decreased from 7.9% in 2002-2004 to 6.8% in 2017-2019.
  • Past-month alcohol use was reported by 10.7% of youth in 2017-2019 compared to 19.4% in 2002-2004. The US national average also showed a downward trend from 17.6% in 2002-2004 to 9.4% in 2017-2019.
  • Past-month illicit drug use was reported by 6.5% of teenagers in Kentucky aged 12-17 years in 2017-2019 compared to 8.2% in 2015-2017. The US national average was stable at 8.2% during this time.
  • Past-year initiation of substances (first lifetime use) was reported by youth as follows during 2017-2019: Alcohol 8.7% (US average 9.3%), marijuana 4.6% (US average 5.2%), and cigarettes 4.3% (US average 2.3%).

Marijuana, alcohol, and illicit drug use among adolescents in Kentucky have all shown encouraging downward trends between 2002 and 2019. These numbers are similar or lower than the US national average overall, except for cigarette smoking which is higher in Kentucky teens compared to the national average.

YOUNG ADULTS AGED 18-25 YEARS

The data for young adults aged 18-25 years in Kentucky is as follows:

  • Past-year marijuana use was reported by 27.2% of young adults in Kentucky in 2017-2019 compared to 25.4% in 2002-2004. During a similar timeframe, the US national average increased from 28.7% in 2002-2004 to 35.0% in 2017-2019.
  • Past-year marijuana use disorder was reported in 2.8% of young adults aged 18-25 years in Kentucky in 2017-2019, compared to 4.4% in 2002-2004. The US national average changed from 6.0% in 2002-2004 to 5.6% in 2017-2019.
  • Past-year opioid use disorder was reported in 1.1% of young adults in Kentucky in 2017-2019 compared to 1.4% in 2015-2017. The US national average changed from 1.3% in 2015-2017 to 1.0% in 2017-2019.
  • Past-year illicit drug use disorder was reported in 4.7% of Kentucky residents aged 18-25 years in 2017-2019 compared to 7.0% in 2015-2017. The US national average was around 7.2% to 7.5% during this time period.
  • Past-month binge alcohol use was reported by 30.7% of young adults in 2017-2019 compared to 33.1% in 2015-2017. The US national average in 2017-2019 was 35.4% showing binge alcohol use in Kentucky is better than the country as a whole.
  • Past-year alcohol use disorder among young adults aged 18-25 was reported in 6.9% of Kentucky residents in 2017-2019, compared to 13.9% in 2002-2004. The US national average for 2017-2019 was 9.8%. Kentucky therefore has a lower percentage of young adults battling alcohol use disorder than the US as a whole.
  • Past-year substance use disorder was reported in 10.3% of young adults aged 18-25 years in Kentucky in 2017-2019 compared to 12.7% in 2015-2017. The national average has hovered between 15.1% and 14.7% during this time.

KENTUCKY RESIDENTS 12 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER

The Behavioral Health Barometer also found the following for 2017-2019 in Kentucky residents aged 12 years and older:

  • Past-year marijuana use: 14.6% (US average 16.2%)
  • Past-year marijuana use disorder: 1.5% (US average 1.6%)
  • Past-year heroin use: 0.42% (US average 0.30%)
  • Past-year prescription painkiller misuse: 4.4% (US average 3.7%)
  • Past-year opioid use disorder: 1.3% (US average 0.7%)
  • Past-year illicit drug use disorder: 3.3% (US average 2.9%)
  • Past-year alcohol use disorder: 5.0% (US average 5.3%)
  • Past-year substance use disorder: 7.5% (US average 7.4%)
  • Number of people enrolled in substance use treatment (single day counts for 2019): 28,452
  • Number of people enrolled in opioid treatment programs (single day counts for 2019): 4,282
  • Problems among people enrolled in treatment: 61.0% drug problem only, 9.5% alcohol problem only, 29.5% both drug and alcohol problems
Woman sitting outdoors and holding her head with a bottle of beer in her other hand.

WHAT IS DUAL DIAGNOSIS?

Dual diagnosis refers to a co-occurrence of a substance abuse and mental health disorders in an individual, for example, alcohol use disorder and major depressive disorder.

It is a complex and challenging condition that requires a comprehensive approach to treatment. Understanding the link between substance abuse and mental health disorders is crucial in providing effective care and support to anyone with these co-occurring conditions.

When someone has a dual diagnosis, both the substance abuse and mental health disorder can interact and worsen each other. In other words, substance abuse can worsen mental health symptoms, and mental health disorders can increase the risk of substance abuse as a form of self-medication or escape. This intertwined relationship makes it imperative to address both issues simultaneously.

WHAT IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE TREATMENT FOR DUAL DIAGNOSIS?

Integrated treatment is essential for anyone who has co-occurring substance abuse and mental health conditions. This involves a holistic approach that accounts for the connections between substance abuse and mental health disorders. Instead of treating each condition separately, an integrated treatment approach focuses on the person as a whole, with an aim to address the underlying causes that led to these issues in the first place. The goal is to treat the root cause of the substance abuse and mental illness and promote overall wellbeing.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING INTEGRATED TREATMENT FOR A DUAL DIAGNOSIS?

In an integrated treatment program, you can expect to receive a range of services and interventions. These may include individual counseling, group therapy, medication management, education, behavioral interventions, and aftercare support to prevent relapse.

The treatment team usually consists of mental health professionals and specialists in substance abuse and addiction. These professionals collaborate to develop an individualized treatment plan that addresses your unique needs and challenges.

The good thing about integrated treatment is that it acknowledges that recovery is a journey which requires ongoing support and care. The emphasis is on building a strong support network and learning healthy coping strategies for the long-term. By addressing both substance abuse and mental health disorders together, an integrated treatment program gives you the best chance of achieving long-term recovery and mental wellbeing.

Call the National Drug Helpline on 1-844-289-0879 to find integrated treatment programs for dual diagnosis in Kentucky.

References:

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Kentucky Youth Risk Behavior Survey 2021. Available online. Accessed on July 18, 2023.
  2. SAMHSA. Behavioral Health Barometer Kentucky. Available online. Accessed on July 17, 2023.

Last updated: July 25, 2023