Can support groups help with dual diagnosis?

PostedNovember 20, 2025

UpdatedNovember 21, 2025

ByMy Patient Advice

Author: Harriet Winslow, BSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Support groups can play a meaningful role in helping adults manage dual diagnosis, which in the context of ADHD usually means having ADHD alongside conditions such as anxiety, depression or substance use difficulties. According to the NICE ADHD guideline (NG87), adults with ADHD often benefit from psychosocial support after diagnosis, particularly when managing additional mental health needs. NHS services, including the NHS Dorset Adult ADHD Service, highlight peer support as an accessible way to build confidence, share experiences and access practical advice.

Why support groups can help

Support groups offer a space where adults can talk openly with others who understand both ADHD and co-occurring conditions. Evidence from the Royal College of Psychiatrists suggests that sharing lived experiences helps reduce isolation and improves emotional regulation. A recent NHS resource pack also shows that peer groups help people develop coping strategies and stay engaged with treatment. Research reviewed on PubMed notes that people with ADHD often face challenges with stress and emotional control, and group environments can support these areas through reassurance and structured discussions.

Emotional and practical benefits

Many adults report feeling more understood and supported when attending peer groups. Support groups can help people recognise early warning signs of relapse, improve motivation and learn strategies used successfully by others facing similar challenges. NHS services in areas such as Yorkshire and Dorset run groups specifically for adults with dual diagnosis, offering safe places to explore anxiety, low mood and ADHD-related difficulties.

Improving engagement with treatment

Support groups may also improve treatment adherence and stability. Evidence from wider dual-diagnosis research suggests that peer support can increase engagement, reduce relapse rates and strengthen self-efficacy. While ADHD-specific outcome studies are limited, UK guidance consistently recognises peer support as a valuable component of ongoing care.

Complementing other forms of support

Support groups are not a replacement for clinical treatment. However, services like Theara Change provide behavioural and coaching-based tools that complement NHS pathways and help people build skills that support everyday functioning.

Key takeaway

Support groups can be a helpful addition to care for adults with dual diagnosis. They offer emotional reassurance, practical strategies and a sense of connection that can make managing ADHD and co-occurring mental health difficulties feel more achievable.

Harriet Winslow, BSc

Author

Harriet Winslow is a clinical psychologist with a Bachelor’s in Clinical Psychology and extensive experience in behaviour therapy and developmental disorders. She has worked with children and adolescents with ADHD, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), learning disabilities, and behavioural challenges, providing individual and group therapy using evidence-based approaches such as CBT and DBT. Dr. Winslow has developed and implemented personalised treatment plans, conducted formal and informal assessments, and delivered crisis intervention for clients in need of urgent mental health care. Her expertise spans assessment, treatment planning, and behavioural intervention for both neurodevelopmental and mental health conditions.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy.

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Reviewer

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy.