Many people ask, “What is dual diagnosis treatment, and is it right for me?” The answer depends on multiple factors. Many people who suffer from substance abuse have underlying mental health disorders such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, or bipolar disease. The goal of dual diagnosis treatment is to address both aspects – the mental health and substance abuse – to give a person the best possible chance at recovery. At Atlantic Recovery Center, we offer this type of care.
How to Get Help and What Is Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Dual diagnosis, which is also called co-occurring disorders, is a situation in which both mental health and substance abuse occur at the same time. The key here is that it is not possible to be successful at treating just one component of this diagnosis. For a person to gain the best opportunity to avoid relapse, he or she needs to address the underlying mental health disorders. When dual-diagnosis treatment occurs, both aspects are fully understood and treated.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that 9.2 million people over the age of 18 in the U.S. have both a substance use disorder and a mental illness.
Dual Diagnosis Symptoms: How Do You Know You Have This Condition?
What are dual diagnosis treatment signs? How do you know you have both? Some common symptoms follow; however, a formal diagnosis is critical. This should come from a licensed professional.
- Sudden changes in behavior
- Feeling like a drug is necessary to get through the day.
- Withdrawal from family or friends
- Engaging in reckless behavior
- High tolerance for use
- Withdrawal symptoms when use isn’t present
In addition to this, a person may also express extreme mood changes, difficulty with concentrating, avoidance of social activities, and extreme anxiety. Other times, they may feel and act very normal. However, some people will develop thoughts of suicide or periods of depression.
What Happens?
What is dual diagnosis treatment going to involve? The goal of dual diagnosis treatment is to ensure a person gets proper methods for managing mental illness, based on those needs, while also getting support for substance abuse. At Atlantic Recovery Center, every person receives one-on-one counseling and access to treatment programs right for their unique needs. This is done through a customized treatment plan.
If a person has a severe addiction, detox may be necessary. Our team can recommend detox services locally to help you to get free from chemical dependency. Once this is done, more advanced care is then used to address the cause of the addiction, including dual diagnosis.
Treatment Options
For some people, residential treatment programs are the best level of care possible. When you visit our treatment center, you will work with our team around the clock to manage your condition. This includes treatment for mental health illness as well as substance use disorder. This often includes individual and group therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, holistic treatment, and other combinations of service and support. You remain in a safe environment that’s designed to feel like home. You’ll also gain access to treatment that includes life skills management and relapse prevention.
Some people who have a very stable and supportive home atmosphere may benefit from intensive outpatient treatment. Here, you spend most of your time with your counselors and treatment team, but you are able to go home at night. The key is that this care is only acceptable if you are not a risk to yourself or your family.
What are the right options for you? When it comes to dual diagnosis treatment, a combination of psychotherapy and medications tend to be used. However, ongoing support, including aftercare treatment programs, tend to be necessary for most people. This is the type of condition that you will need to manage for the rest of your life.
Finding the Help You Need
What is dual diagnosis treatment for you? This depends on many factors, but it always starts with getting help from a location that can support your needs. Turn to our team to learn more about what your options are and how you can improve your quality of life. Call us to schedule a consultation at 1-866-824-5193.