Increasingly, more people are coming to the understanding of how important it is for people with a substance use disorder and a mental illness to get simultaneous care for the two conditions.
Through dual diagnosis treatment centers, individuals with a substance use disorder and a mental illness can get a professional diagnosis for both conditions. That is important because once they know what the issues are, they can immediately embark on the journey to treat them.
What is dual diagnosis?
When a person has both a substance use disorder and a mental health illness, this is referred to as having a Dual Diagnosis Rehabs. The terms "dual disorder" and "co-occurring disorders" have also been used to describe this condition.
My experience with a dual diagnosis patient
Let me share a personal experience that helped me understand dual diagnosis treatment. My friend showed symptoms of both an alcohol and drug use disorder and a mental health problem. I sought advise on what to do from several dual diagnosis clinics in my area as a result of his deteriorating condition.
One of these dual diagnosis rehab facilities sponsored outreach programs in our neighborhood, which gave me the courage to discreetly approach one of them regarding my friend with dual diagnosis symptoms.
I obtained a wealth of knowledge from the dual diagnosis center California people hold in high regard for its success in treating patients with dual diagnosis, which relied upon when I wrote this article so as to improve understanding of dual diagnosis rehab.
What are the most common co-occurring mental health issues?
I learned from a dual diagnosis treatment near me that addictive behaviors often serve as coping mechanisms to mask mental health issues. Approximately 53% of drug users and 35% of alcohol users, respectively, fit the bill for a mental health diagnosis, according to statistics. This suggests a strong connection between addiction and mental health problems.
Depression, anxiety, panic, bipolar, disordered eating, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessions, and compulsions are some of the most prevalent mental health issues that coexist with substance misuse.
Treatment for dual diagnosis
I gathered from various dual diagnosis centers in California (Ca) that the relationship between a mental health condition and an addiction is complicated, and the path to recovery should be determined in collaboration with a qualified healthcare professional.
I was able to comprehend the various theories underlying how dual diagnosis happens for those suffering from mental health disorders from one leading dual diagnosis center CA is well recognized for. The multiple risk factor hypothesis and the self-medication theory were the two that grabbed my attention.
According to the self-medication theory, people who are dealing with specific mental health issues may use drugs and alcohol as a sort of self-medication. The underlying problems, like as anxiety and depression, eventually get worse as a result of the drugs or alcohol, which only temporarily make people feel better. Drug and alcohol abuse can exacerbate the signs of pre-existing mental health conditions as well as cause new ones.
According to the multiple risk factor theory, there are common risk factors that could lead to a dual diagnosis. I learned that some of the risk factors that lead to dual diagnosis include the following from the dual diagnosis awareness programs held by top dual diagnosis treatment centers in Los Angeles:
- Poverty
- Social isolation
- Lack of structured daily activities or responsibility.
- Living in areas where drugs and alcohol are easily available.
- Interacting in social groups with people who use drugs and alcohol.
Dual diagnosis treatment requires a variety of techniques due to its complexity. However, in general, there are four treatment models that, as described during a dual diagnosis conference by a top diagnosis treatment center in Los Angeles, offer remarkable results. These include integrated treatment, parallel treatment, sequential treatment, and partial treatment.
The fundamental goal of partial treatment is to address the major mental health concern without addressing any potential underlying substance misuse issues. Sequential treatment treats both the substance misuse problem and the mental health condition in turn.
It has however been demonstrated that partial and sequential treatment plans cause increased rates of relapse.
Therapy that addresses both alcohol or drug misuse and mental health issues concurrently but independently is known as parallel treatment. Separate mental healthcare providers deal with the mental health problems.Contrarily, integrated treatment enables the patient with a dual diagnosis to receive both mental health and addiction treatment at the same time, as part of a single, cohesive, and all-encompassing treatment plan.
Inpatient dual diagnosis rehab programs often offer parallel or integrated treatment for those who use drugs or alcohol heavily and experience troubling symptoms from a mental health issue. In residential dual diagnosis treatment centers, dual diagnosis patients can benefit from regular care while staying in a safe environment.
Many dual diagnosis treatment centers in Los Angeles and California also offer outpatient care. Patients who cannot receive inpatient care or who require additional support after receiving inpatient care should choose this treatment option.
Some degree of personal transformation is usually required for proper dual diagnosis treatment. This can entail altering routines, adopting new stress-reduction techniques, breaking up with certain friends and making new ones, or taking care of concerns with secure housing.
The most effective ways to deal with these problems are through individual, family, and group therapy, all of which are frequently included in inpatient dual diagnosis treatment programs. Psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy usually form part of these treatments.
To address a wide range of mental health problems, feelings, and behaviors related to substance misuse, psychotherapy employs a variety of strategies. The link between emotions and behaviors is taught to people with dual diagnosis via cognitive behavioral therapy.Both mental health treatment and relapse prevention can benefit greatly from group therapy with people who are similarly affected or from support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous.
Need more information and help with dual diagnosis?
If you are experiencing concerns that point to a dual diagnosis, be assured that you are not alone in this. You can get the assistance you need from friends at LA Valley Recovery who want to help. All you need to do is to click here to fill out a contact form or call 844-777-5287 to speak to a dual diagnosis expert today.
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