Today, scientists and physicians understand how critical it is for people to receive care for both a substance use disorder and a mental illness concurrently. Individuals might receive a professional diagnosis for all of their ailments at a dual diagnosis treatment clinic. Once they determine the nature of the problem, they can immediately begin treating it.
What is Dual Diagnosis Treatment?
Dual diagnosis refers to someone who struggles with drug or alcohol addiction and a co-occurring mental health condition, such as depression or anxiety. Treatment centers for dual diagnoses employ an integrated and comprehensive approach to fully address and rectify both conditions. This type of treatment is provided by treatment centers that specialize in substance abuse rehabilitation and mental health counseling. By focusing exclusively on one issue, the individual may increase his or her risk of relapse.
Dual diagnosis treatment, also known as co-occurring or co-morbid disorders, is a clinical term that refers to the co-existence of a substance use disorder and a mental or behavioral health condition.
At times, one condition may exacerbate or contribute to the development of another. For instance, someone suffering from a mental illness may self-medicate with drugs or alcohol in order to cope with their symptoms. In other cases, substance abuse may reveal or exacerbate symptoms of a mental illness. Several examples of what might be considered a dual diagnosis disorder include having a substance abuse problem in addition to one or more of the following:
- Distress following a traumatic event (PTSD)
- Depression
- ADHD is a condition in which a person is inattentive but hyperactive (ADHD)
- Bipolar Illness
- Personality Disorder with Borderline Personality
- Anxiety condition
- Consumption Disorder
How Common Is Dual Diagnosis?
Individuals with mental illnesses are twice as likely to engage in substance abuse as the general population. Simultaneously, individuals who struggle with substance abuse are at an increased risk of developing a mental illness or behavioral disorder. It is a well-established fact that mental illness can result in substance abuse, and that addiction can result in the development of additional mental illnesses.
Dual diagnosis is far more prevalent now than it was previously. Previously, mental illness and addiction were treated as distinct conditions. A person who is depressed or bipolar is referred to a mental health facility.
Someone who is addicted to alcohol or drugs would be referred to a rehab facility for addiction. The issue with this approach is that both conditions frequently went untreated.
For instance, a patient in rehabilitation may be discharged for failing to respond to treatment as a result of their mental disorder. Meanwhile, a patient in a mental health facility may be prescribed medication to treat their disorder, but their drug or alcohol addiction may obstruct treatment.
It’s easy to see why both conditions are now treated concurrently in most addiction treatment centers as co-occurring disorders.
The Science Behind Co-Occurring Disorders
Self-medication frequently exacerbates a mental illness. The brain is constantly adapting and learning new ways to assist you in feeling better. If your mind is constantly racing or you are constantly depressed, you may find that drugs or alcohol bring you happiness or help you to relax. When the brain establishes this link, it develops a desire for substances that will make you feel better. Over time, this “solution” may become your primary source of frustration.
Substances that alter the mind can actually exacerbate the symptoms of mental illness. Additionally, they can negate the effects of any prescription medications you are taking for various mental health disorders. When you choose dual diagnosis-specific substance abuse programs, you’ll begin to discover more effective solutions.
What Makes Dual Diagnosis Treatment Different?
According to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) definitions, there should be a continued emphasis on the continuum of care that exists between drug abuse and mental illness (WHO). Numerous addiction treatment clinics are now equipped to treat patients suffering from serious mental health problems such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. A dual diagnosis rehab facility can provide an individualized treatment plan.
The Internet has simplified access to information about all available rehabilitation options, even if identifying the appropriate dual diagnosis is not as straightforward as it once was. Mental illnesses such as depression brought on by substance abuse and personality disorders compound the difficulty of finding the right rehabilitation program.
Criteria for diagnosing anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and personality disorders, among others. We will examine the diagnostic criteria for disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, and behavioral health disorders, as well as the diagnostic criteria for dual diagnosis. Numerous addictive diseases can be indicators of alcoholism, drug abuse, gambling addiction, or sexual addiction, among others. Assume you choose to pursue treatment for a dual diagnosis. In that case, you may be eligible for medical treatment if both a psychological disorder and a physical illness are diagnosed. If you are dealing with a Dual Diagnosis, it is critical to consider both your mental health and addiction during your recovery process.
Why Dual Diagnosis Treatment Is Important
When co-occurring disorders exist, the addiction may exacerbate the symptoms of the mental illness. On the other hand, a person’s mental health symptoms may contribute to an individual engaging in increased substance use and abuse.
Once again, many individuals develop addiction issues as a result of self-medication. However, in certain circumstances, individuals develop symptoms of mental illness as a result of their substance use habits. For instance, an alcoholic may develop depression as a result of the disease’s effects.
Regardless of which disorder comes first, individuals who have co-occurring disorders should seek treatment from a dual diagnosis treatment program. This type of rehabilitation program enables individuals to reclaim their mental health and overcome addiction. It is critical for those seeking addiction treatment to receive assistance from a program that addresses both mental health and substance abuse.
What Are the Signs That Someone Needs a Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center?
Dual diagnosis refers to someone who has both a mental illness and a co-occurring substance use disorder. Clients can learn more about the symptoms of a dual diagnosis disorder through the top dual diagnosis treatment center North Carolina rehabs offer. One of the first signs of a problem is when individuals withdraw from their families and friends. Additionally, the individual may struggle to manage daily tasks or maintain control over their substance use.
The individual develops a high tolerance for the substance over time and begins using it in unsafe circumstances. Additionally, they may disregard their health and believe that they require the substance to function normally. Clients can take the next step toward sobriety by utilizing the addiction therapy services offered by our treatment centers.
Why Is Mental Illness Often Ignored?
Educators frequently avoid discussing mental health. Regrettably, this contributes to a negative stigma surrounding mental illness. While the majority of us receive some form of health education in school, it is typically limited to physical health. There is a widespread misconception that having a mental illness is embarrassing or shameful. Additionally, parents who do not have a mental illness may be ill-equipped to teach their children about mental health.
When someone begins to develop a mental illness, it can be extremely perplexing and frightening to be unaware of what is occurring. It’s difficult to comprehend the constant panic or the struggle to get out of bed in the morning when everyone else appears to be fine. Individuals frequently self-medicate with illicit substances rather than speak with a professional about these issues.
Symptoms of mental illness are frequently misdiagnosed as normal characteristics. For instance, some individuals may regard persistent feelings of anxiety as a defining characteristic of a “nervous personality.” Fearful feelings could be considered a “worrier’s” nature. That is simply the way things are. This is frequently the thought process that rationalizes a person’s actions or feelings. However, taking this approach may result in individuals overlooking mental illness symptoms and mislabeling them as personality traits.
Options for Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Almost every patient with Dual Diagnosis requires a combination of treatments. Psychological disorders are numerous, and they differ significantly from substance abuse disorders.
Mental Illnesses and Substance Abuse Are Frequently Diagnosed As:
- It is a mood disorder that contributes significantly to social isolation.
- Generalized anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorders are all examples of anxiety disorders.
- Borderline personality disorder and antisocial personality disorder are both mental illnesses that contribute to the difficulty of certain relationships.
- These eating disorders are referred to as eating disorders in the absence of eating disorders.
Treatment for Dual Diagnosis will be ineffective unless it addresses both the disorder and your history of addiction. How much care you require is determined by the severity of your substance abuse. Intensive, 24-hour residential treatment programs may benefit patients who have severe mental illnesses/dual diagnoses or have a history of heavy drug or alcohol use. Clients with impairments can continue working, attending school, and caring for family members while receiving mental health treatment and therapy in outpatient rehabilitation programs.
Medical professionals frequently prescribe medications to dual diagnosis patients to alleviate symptoms such as agitation, anxiety, and mood swings, to control hallucinations, and to prevent recurrence of traumatic events. Numerous concerns have been raised about antidepressant side effects, which are not considered to pose a significant risk to mental health or substance abuse treatment. While providers of dual diagnosis research recognize the critical nature of patients continuing to take medication prescribed in rehab, they also recognize the necessity of doing so once in rehab.
Mental health, addiction, and substance abuse education are critical components of addiction recovery. To ensure that your loved ones are completely supportive of you during your recovery journey, you must first understand what you are experiencing on a daily basis. Those who have friends or family members who are seeking assistance with dual diagnosis may benefit from family counseling, 12-step meetings, and peer support groups.
Start Dual Diagnosis Treatment Today
At Atlantic Recovery Center, we provide dual diagnosis treatment for substance abuse and mental illness. Through holistic healing methods and non-narcotic medications, it is possible to live a fulfilling life. At our facility, the needs of our patients will always come first.
You do not have to live with an addiction or a mental illness for the rest of your life. A dual diagnosis treatment center, such as ARC, can assist you in developing a more positive outlook on life. Call us today at 866-286-7195 to learn more about how we can assist you.
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