People become addicted to drugs and alcohol for many different reasons. Sometimes the reason why a person abuses an illicit substance can have an impact on the type of care that they need to successfully recover from that addiction.
For example, maybe you’ve seen a doctor who has given you a dual diagnosis. If so, you will want to make sure that you pursue dual diagnosis treatment instead of standard substance abuse recovery support.
In this article, we’ll tell you more about why you need dual diagnosis care to recover as effectively as possible. We’ll also talk about how dual diagnoses are treated and how to find the right plan for your needs. Let’s get into it.
Understanding a Dual Diagnosis
A dual diagnosis occurs when someone is diagnosed with both a substance abuse problem and a mental health issue at the same time. When this happens, the issues are said to be ‘co-occurring’.
There are many different types of mental health disorders that are linked to substance abuse issues. It’s a list that includes things like:
- Bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Why Do Mental Health Issues Co-occur with Substance Abuse Problems?
These two types of problems happen simultaneously quite a bit. That’s because each tends to feed off of the other.
For example, a mental health issue can prompt someone to seek the escape of an illicit substance. And addiction to drugs or alcohol can cause a person to feel depressed or anxious, which can create a vicious cycle.
Another reason why these two problems commonly appear together is that the factors that cause them are often shared. For example, things like genetics, stress, and trauma can be causes of both mental health problems and substance abuse disorders.
How Do You Treat Dual Diagnosis?
Now that we know what dual diagnosis is and why it occurs, we can examine the best way to treat it. The most effective dual diagnosis treatment plans begin by trying to understand how a patient’s mental health problems and their substance abuse issues interact with one another.
This is typically done through therapy. A patient will work in a one-on-one setting with a trained therapist who can help them unravel the ways that these two issues are impacting one another. This understanding is needed before it will be possible to address the problems.
Next, the therapist will help their patient begin addressing both their substance dependency and their mental health issues. They may prescribe medication and offer suggestions for behavioral improvements. The pair will also work on coming up with ways for the patient to deal with the root causes of their problems in healthier ways.
What Else Does a Dual Diagnosis Treatment Plan Include?
Most treatment plans for a dual diagnosis involve more than one-on-one therapy. Yours will also likely include things like group meetings and perhaps even outdoor activities or general health and wellness support.
All dual diagnosis treatment plans offer therapy. Facilities differentiate themselves from one another through the other types of support that they provide to their patients. These additional offerings fill out a treatment plan so that it covers all of the different areas that an individual needs assistance in to fully recover from their problems.
How Can I Find the Best Dual Diagnosis Treatment For My Needs?
Finding the right dual diagnosis treatment center for your needs is about understanding what you’re looking for in a recovery program.
Is there a specific type of therapeutical philosophy that you prefer over others? Or perhaps there are other types of care that you want to make sure you get alongside therapy, such as exercises classes or nutritional support.
In populated places like Southern California, there are many different treatment centers to choose from. This makes it easier to find a treatment center that can offer you the exact type of help that you want.
Choose Still Water Wellness For Your Dual Diagnosis Care
If you’re ready to begin treatment for a dual diagnosis, then you have to look into the Still Water Wellness Group. We provide customized dual diagnosis treatment plans for every patient. When you choose us, you can be sure that you’ll get the exact type of support that you need to optimize your recovery process.
We’re also happy to answer any questions that you might have about dual diagnosis care, even if you decide we’re not the best place for you in the end.
You can get started today by giving us a call at (800) 563-8983. We look forward to hearing from you.