Mental health and substance use are often treated as separate issues—but in reality, they’re deeply intertwined. At Advanced Therapeutic Services (ATS), we’ve seen firsthand how anxiety, depression, and addiction often fuel one another, forming a cycle that’s difficult to break without the right support. That’s why we specialize in dual diagnosis treatment in Barstow and Rancho Mirage, helping clients heal both the mind and the body at the same time.

Understanding this connection is the first step toward healing. Whether you’re seeking therapy for co-occurring disorders or supporting a loved one through their journey, recognizing the role of mental health in substance use can open the door to real, lasting change.

What Is a Co-Occurring Disorder?

Also known as dual diagnosis, a co-occurring disorder means a person is living with both a mental health condition—like anxiety or depression—and a substance use disorder. These issues don’t just exist side by side; they actively impact one another.

For example:

  • Someone with social anxiety may drink alcohol to feel more relaxed in social settings.

  • A person with chronic depression might use opioids or other drugs to numb emotional pain.

  • Someone dealing with panic attacks may misuse benzodiazepines to avoid the intense symptoms.

While substances may offer short-term relief, they often worsen the underlying mental health condition over time, leading to increased use, greater dependency, and more emotional instability.

The Link Between Anxiety and Addiction

Anxiety can be an exhausting and overwhelming experience. Racing thoughts, tightness in the chest, fear of judgment, or even a constant sense of dread can lead people to seek out anything that helps them feel “normal.”

Alcohol, marijuana, stimulants, and anti-anxiety medications like Xanax or Ativan are commonly misused by people with anxiety disorders. At first, the effect may seem positive. But over time, substances alter brain chemistry, reduce natural coping abilities, and often make anxiety worse.

Some signs of this cycle include:

  • Needing a substance to function socially or professionally

  • Rebounding anxiety after the effects wear off

  • Increasing tolerance and needing more to achieve the same relief

  • Mood swings, agitation, or panic between uses

Without treatment, many people find themselves stuck in a loop: anxiety leads to substance use, which worsens anxiety, and so on. That’s where anxiety and addiction help from professionals like ATS makes all the difference.

How Depression Fuels Substance Use

Depression is more than sadness. It’s a deep, lingering heaviness that can affect energy, motivation, concentration, sleep, appetite, and self-worth. For some, it becomes difficult to engage with life at all.

It’s no surprise that many people with depression turn to substances to “feel something” again—or to feel nothing at all. Alcohol, painkillers, stimulants, or even methamphetamine can seem like solutions when hopelessness takes hold. But the relief is fleeting, and the crash that follows often deepens the depression.

Some warning signs that depression and substance use are co-occurring include:

  • Using substances alone or in secret

  • Thoughts of self-harm or suicide

  • Withdrawal from social contact or daily responsibilities

  • Mood shifts tied to use and withdrawal

At ATS, we’ve designed our dual diagnosis treatment in Barstow and Rancho Mirage to address the emotional pain that often underlies addiction. Because without treating the depression, long-term sobriety is rarely sustainable.

The Importance of Integrated Treatment

When mental health and substance use disorders are treated in isolation, recovery is incomplete. People often bounce between therapists and addiction centers, receiving fragmented care that doesn’t address the full picture.

That’s why integrated dual diagnosis care is essential. At ATS, our programs combine licensed mental health therapy with substance use counseling to treat both conditions simultaneously. This means:

  • No more bouncing between services

  • A treatment plan that addresses both emotional and behavioral health

  • Consistent support from a multidisciplinary team

  • Better outcomes, fewer relapses, and more empowered healing

What to Expect from Dual Diagnosis Treatment at ATS

Our therapy for co-occurring disorders is rooted in compassion, flexibility, and evidence-based care. Whether you’re seeking help for yourself or someone you love, our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) offers the structure and tools needed to begin the recovery journey—without needing to pause your life.

Here’s what you can expect:

  • Comprehensive Assessments to uncover the full scope of your challenges

  • Individual Therapy for deep emotional work and coping skill development

  • Group Therapy to foster connection, accountability, and shared healing

  • Psychiatric Evaluation and Medication Management when appropriate

  • Family Support Services to strengthen your recovery environment

And with outpatient options at both our Rancho Mirage and Barstow locations, clients can attend treatment while continuing to work, go to school, or care for loved ones.

Why Early Treatment Matters

Many people wait until their symptoms are unbearable or until a crisis forces their hand. But the earlier co-occurring disorders are addressed, the better the chances of long-term stability.

Seeking help now can:

  • Prevent addiction from worsening

  • Reduce the risk of self-harm or overdose

  • Restore relationships and daily functioning

  • Improve overall quality of life

If you’re unsure whether your mental health and substance use are connected, our team can help clarify your experience—and guide you toward a treatment plan that fits your needs.

Serving Barstow and Rancho Mirage Communities

ATS is proud to provide dual diagnosis treatment in Barstow and Rancho Mirage for individuals across the High Desert, Coachella Valley, and surrounding Southern California communities. Whether you need help for anxiety and addiction, depression and alcohol use, or just feel like something’s not right, we’re here to listen and support you without judgment.

You’re Not Broken—You’re Human

Struggling with both mental health and substance use doesn’t mean you’re weak or broken. It means you’re trying to survive. But survival isn’t the same as living—and with the right help, you can move beyond coping and into true recovery.

At ATS, we walk with you from confusion to clarity, from pain to purpose.

Take the First Step Today

If you’re ready to break the cycle of anxiety, depression, and substance use, reach out to us. Our team is ready to help you reconnect with your life, your hope, and your strength.

📞 Call ATS now for a free, confidential assessment
📍 Rancho Mirage & Barstow | Mon–Fri: 9 AM–5 PM
🖱️ Schedule Your Consultation or visit ats-iop.com