What is Dual Diagnosis Treatment?
When a person is diagnosed with both a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder, it is referred to as co-occurring mental health disorders. They require specialized treatment programs to address both issues simultaneously, known as dual diagnosis treatment. They aim to treat mental health and addiction together rather than separately because often they can make one another worse and will give the person the best chance to long-term recovery. Co-occurring mental health disorders are common in substance abuse cases, with about half the people with mental health disorders exhibiting substance use disorder at some point in their lives, or vice versa.
Drug and alcohol addiction with dual diagnosis will often make the rehab program much more complex. Often, the outlook for substance abuse treatment is poor without the proper drug rehab program. It is key to find a recovery center that specializes in co-occurring mental health disorders when a dual diagnosis is suspected. One SAMHSA report found that when a co-occurring disorder goes untreated, it will both get worse and give way to more complications.
Signs of a Dual Diagnosis
An official dual diagnosis requires a psychological evaluation from a behavioral health professional, but if you suspect it is present, it is highly important to find a recovery center that will treat the co-occurring disorders. Your initial evaluation at the rehab center can be enough to give an official diagnosis. However, some signs to look for are:
- Family history of mental illness
- Angry, violent, or reckless behavior
- Social withdrawal
- Delusions or hallucinations
- Severe tension or worry
- The internal anxiety that can only be relieved by certain rituals or behaviors
- Intense prolonged feelings of despair, worthlessness, and hopelessness
- Mood swings or behaviors have caused strain on relationships
- Dramatic shifts in energy levels or moods
- Inability to concentrate
- Past physical, emotional, or sexual trauma and using drugs or alcohol to cope with feelings surrounding it
- Self-medicating with drugs or alcohol to overcome feelings of stress, depression, anxiety, and fear
- Unable to identify the last time you felt satisfied with life without the help of drugs or alcohol
- Using drugs or alcohol to cope with any of the above
Why Dual Diagnosis Treatment Matters
Living with mental health conditions or mental illness can greatly increase the risk of a person developing a drug addiction or alcohol addiction. Often people with mental illnesses such as anxiety disorder, depression, borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder, or posttraumatic stress disorder will use drug abuse or alcohol abuse in order to cope with their symptoms. They are just covering up the symptoms temporarily without treating the root of the issue which will cause the issues to continue being there once the drugs or alcohol has worn off. With continued substance abuse, they may develop a physical or psychological dependence on the substance. Substance abuse can also cause a mental health disorder on its own. Dual diagnosis is important because if one issue goes untreated, it can give rise to the other and continue the cycle of substance abuse.
How To Find Dual Diagnosis Treatment Near Me
When dealing with co-occurring mental disorders, it is key to find dual diagnosis treatment programs. At The Detox Center of LA, we offer alcohol and drug addiction treatment and dual diagnosis treatment starting on day one of your program. Our inpatient drug programs focus on treating the root issues of addiction through behavioral therapy and medication-assisted treatment. Our partial hospitalization program for those in early recovery includes individual therapy and addiction therapies to help every client reach their recovery goals. Please do not hesitate to give us a call, our addiction recovery center is available 24/7 and offers same-day admissions into our alcohol or drug addiction treatment.
