It’s common for individuals with drug abuse issues or alcohol addiction to also have a mental health disorder. To effectively treat the addiction, the co-occurring mental illness must also be addressed. In this article, you’ll learn how dual diagnosis treatment can help resolve substance use disorders and provide individuals with the tools needed to manage any mental health conditions that might be present.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Dual diagnosis, also known as a co-occurring disorder, is when an individual suffers from both a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder. And it’s actually very common – it’s estimated that close to half of the individuals with a substance use disorder also have a mental illness. Dual diagnosis treatment aims to address both conditions simultaneously.
Dual diagnosis treatment typically occurs through a variety of outpatient programs, including partial hospitalization program, intensive outpatient program, and outpatient rehab. Each program is customized for the individual’s needs.
Oftentimes, a variety of therapies will be incorporated into dual diagnosis treatment, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, EMDR, and others. Therapies can occur daily or weekly and can take place in an individual therapy setting and in the form of support groups (group therapy settings).
As mentioned, the exact type of mental health services provided for co occurring disorders will depend on the specific needs of each person.
Which Types of Mental Health Disorders Can Dual Diagnosis Treatment Address?
Dual diagnosis treatment can address anywhere from a mild mental illness to a severe mental illness, including:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
- Bipolar Disorder
- Mood Disorders
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Eating Disorders
- OCD
- And many others
If you think you might benefit from treatment that addresses any of the above conditions alongside a substance abuse disorder, a drug rehab addiction facility (with a dual diagnosis treatment center) can perform an evaluation.
Causes of Mental Health Disorders and Substance Abuse
It’s believed that genetics and environmental factors increase someone’s chances of developing a co occurring disorder. For example, when a mental illness runs in the family, it can increase the risk of others in the family also developing that illness (although it’s not a guarantee).
For those who grow up in a stressful household or are exposed to trauma, especially at a young age, these environmental factors can put them at risk for developing a mental illness alongside a drug addiction.
Benefits of Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Dual diagnosis treatment can be extremely effective for helping those with substance use disorders reach sobriety for the long term. The specific benefits include:
Improving Mental Health
A core element of dual diagnosis treatment is addressing not only the addiction but also the underlying mental illness. Therefore individuals have a sense of empowerment in being able to manage any underlying mental health condition (improving their mental health), in addition to having tools to maintain sobriety.
Faster Recovery Time
It’s common for individuals who receive dual diagnosis treatment to have faster recovery times in addiction treatment facilities. This is due to the fact that they are getting to the root of the addiction, understanding on a deeper level why they might be using drugs in the first place, and learning more about any present mental illness.
Get Dual Diagnosis Treatment Today
At JC Treatment Center, our programs are designed to address the symptoms of a mental health disorder and substance use disorder. As a result, patients often receive improved outcomes, faster recovery times, and a lesser chance of relapsing. Our team at JC Treatment Center in Pasadena, CA strives to provide you with the addiction treatment and mental health solutions you need and deserve to get your life back.
Through compassionate care, expert staff, and innovative substance abuse solutions, we give you effective tools to help you stay sober and live a healthy life.
