Chronic Mental Illness Drug & Alcohol Rehab Programs

People with a substance use disorder (SUD) commonly have a co-occurring mental illness, such as anxiety or depression.¹ According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), when these conditions co-occur, treatment should address both to provide better outcomes for the patient.¹

If you struggle with SUD and a chronic mental illness, learning about treatment options can help you make an informed decision about your health. This page will help you learn more about chronic mental illness addiction treatment and how to find a chronic mental illness rehab near you.

What Is a Chronic Mental Illness Addiction Treatment Program?

Chronic mental illness rehab facilities address the complex needs of patients struggling with both SUD and co-occurring chronic mental health conditions, such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, or depression.²

These programs vary by facility but generally offer integrated treatment that addresses both SUD and mental illness.² Integrated treatment is generally considered superior to treatment that addresses each disorder separately.¹ This is because each condition can influence the other; co-occurring disorders are complex and can lead to poorer outcomes, especially if left untreated.¹

If you’re struggling with a co-occurring disorder, you’re not alone. According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, around 20.4 million American adults had a co-occurring disorder in the past year.³ Chronic mental illness treatment programs can help people stop using substances, treat mental illness, and pave the way for recovery from both disorders.

What Happens During a Chronic Mental Illness Addiction Treatment Program?

Before a patient starts treatment at a chronic mental illness alcohol rehab or drug rehab, they will undergo a thorough evaluation with a team of addiction specialists to create an individualized treatment plan.⁴ A patient’s treatment plan may involve levels of care, services, and treatments depending on their needs.¹

Levels of care that may be involved in chronic mental illness treatment include:

• Medical detox: While not always necessary, medical detox can sometimes be the first step in recovery, especially for patients at risk of experiencing serious withdrawal symptoms. Medical detox provides medical supervision and, in some cases, medication, to help patients undergo withdrawal as comfortably and safely as possible.⁴ This may take place in an inpatient or outpatient detox setting.¹
• Inpatient addiction treatment: This involves living onsite at a facility. Inpatient rehab offers structured treatment to patients so they can focus on recovery. It is typically best suited for patients with severe SUD or co-occurring disorders, such as chronic mental illness.⁴
• Outpatient drug and alcohol rehab programs: This involves living at home or in a type of sober housing and attending treatment at a facility on a regular schedule.⁴ Patients participate in different behavioral therapies and receive ongoing monitoring and support.⁴
• Intensive outpatient addiction treatment programs: These are more supportive outpatient settings that provide 9 to 20 hours of weekly treatment programming. This can benefit patients who need a higher level of care but may not require inpatient treatment.⁴
• Partial hospitalization programs for addiction: Also known as high-intensity outpatient programs (HIOP), these are highly structured, supportive outpatient programs that offer 20 or more hours of treatment a week, making them ideal for patients with more severe co-occurring conditions who may not require inpatient treatment.⁵

Treatment Approaches in Chronic Mental Illness Rehab Programs

What happens in chronic mental illness rehab? Treatment looks different for everyone, but patients will typically participate in various behavioral therapies, some of which are common to all forms of SUD treatment. Therapies used in addiction treatment can include:

• Assertive community treatment: This is a specific treatment modality often used for people with co-occurring disorders and provides a comprehensive set of interventions, including engagement and outreach strategies.²
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): This is designed to help patients identify and modify unhelpful behaviors and thoughts and develop more appropriate coping skills to resume healthier, substance-free lives.¹
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): This can help reduce self-harming behaviors in patients with severe mental illness.⁶
• Motivational interviewing (MI): This encourages patients to find and maintain their internal motivation to make positive life changes.¹
• EMDR therapy: This is a type of trauma processing therapy that helps patients integrate and work through trauma and addiction.⁷
• Group therapy: This involves participating in a group with others who are also in recovery from co-occurring disorders, where patients can learn and practice new skills, gain support, and share experiences.²

Depending on the substance a person uses and their specific condition, they may also receive medications for addiction treatment, as well as medication to treat the mental illness.¹

What Happens After Completing a Chronic Mental Illness Addiction Treatment Program?

After a patient completes a chronic mental illness rehab, participating in some form of aftercare, also known as continuing care, can help monitor their progress, receive ongoing support, and address relapse, should it occur.² This can involve one or more forms of care, such as:^2,4

• Mutual support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), or Double Trouble in Recovery, a support group specifically designed for those in recovery from co-occurring disorders.
• Individual or group counseling.
• Relapse prevention groups.
• Mental health services, like medication checks.
• Sober living, which are structured, supportive recovery residences that help people with co-occurring disorders as they transition back to their daily lives after treatment.

Does Health Insurance Cover Chronic Mental Illness Addiction Treatment Programs?

Health insurance should provide some level of coverage for treatment at chronic mental illness addiction rehab programs. Substance use and mental health treatment are considered essential health benefits (EHBs) under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which means that Marketplace insurance providers are required to cover these services.⁸ 

As insurance plans can vary, it’s advisable to inquire with your provider to learn about your exact benefits. You can also call American Addiction Centers (AAC) at to speak to one of our team members who can instantly verify your insurance coverage for chronic mental illness rehab.

Finding a Chronic Mental Illness Rehab Program Near You

American Addiction Centers (AAC) is a leading provider of addiction treatment in the U.S. and all of our facilities treat co-occurring disorders, including:

• Laguna Treatment Center
• Recovery First Treatment Center
• River Oaks Treatment Center
• AdCare Treatment Centers
• Oxford Treatment Center
• Desert Hope Treatment Center
• Greenhouse Treatment Center

Our facilities offer evidence-based treatment and have expert staff who understand what you, your relative, or your friend are going through. We carefully evaluate each person’s physical and mental health during the admissions process to create a customized treatment plan right for their needs.

Please call to speak to a caring admissions navigator about your treatment options and what to expect in chronic mental illness rehab. You can learn more about using health insurance to pay for rehab, and we can verify your insurance right away.