When someone is suffering from drug or alcohol addiction and mental illness, this is what specialists call “co-occurring disorders”. Any combination of addiction and mental health disorders is a dual diagnosis. Some examples include alcoholism and depression, anorexia and cocaine addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder and heroin dependence, anxiety and prescription drug addiction, and more.
Although the symptoms of one disorder may have come before the other, both disorders will intensify each other, making it difficult to differentiate the symptoms caused by each disorder. For instance, people who use painkillers or heroin to combat depression caused by personality disorders realize quickly that this is an effective way of using.
In addition to depression symptoms, users will tend to struggle with:
When treating co-occurring disorders, rehab centers recommend that patients receive intensive medical and therapeutic therapy for both disorders simultaneously. Shortly after checking into, the patient will undergo the medical detox process. This process usually takes a week to flush the body of all substances thoroughly. Medical and treatment staff will be available 24/7 to help moderate withdrawal symptoms and administer medications if needed.
The detox process is a crucial step in recovery because only when the toxic substances are eliminated, can the patient accurately start the dual diagnosis treatment process.
The most successful method for dual diagnosis is to integrate therapy programs that treat all aspects of the disorders at once. Addiction treatment counselors and mental health professionals will work together to provide exceptional care that incorporates everything involved with the diagnosis.
Some examples of the dual diagnosis treatment process includes:
Treating dual diagnosis requires multiple therapeutic strategies. As part of the rehab program, patients might take part in:
For dual diagnosis patients, residential treatment is often recommended for those who require living in a supervised setting. The length of treatment must be long enough to reinforce the skills and strategies acquired during treatment. However, many patients become discharged before they receive the full benefits of their rehabilitation program.
There are hundreds of different mental health disorders. Some of the more common mental illnesses that affect people across the nation include:
Bipolar disorder is a persistent mental illness that is identified by episodes of energetic, manic highs and extraordinarily high and low depression. This condition affects a sufferer’s energy level and ability to think. Bipolar disorder mood swings are more severe than the little ups and downs most people encounter daily.
Eating disorders are severe conditions that cause tenacious eating behaviors that negatively affect emotions, health, and the capability to function in everyday life. Common eating disorders include bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder.
Generalized anxiety disorder is harsher than normal anxiety. It makes the sufferer extremely concerned about many things, even when they shouldn’t worry. Sometimes worrying can keep people with a generalized anxiety disorder from fulfilling everyday responsibilities and duties.
Major depressive disorder causes people to have feelings of extreme sadness that last two weeks minimum. This condition is also referred to as clinical depression.
Persistent depressive disorder is a continuous form of depression, also referred to as dysthymia. Although dysthymic depression isn’t intense, it can complicate daily life—people who suffer from this condition encounter symptoms for at least two years.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder causes persistent and constant thoughts, or obsessions. These thoughts happen with extreme desires to carry out particular compulsions or behaviors.
An person’s personality is affected by environment, experiences, and inherited traits. A personality disorder affects people’s ways of feeling, thinking, and behaving that causes distress or difficulties functioning. Possible causes are early childhood trauma like abuse, violence, neglect, and poor parenting. Evidence shows that genetic and neurological factors contribute to the growth of these disorders.
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects many children and some adults. It impairs the brain’s growth and development. It may also negatively impact the central nervous system (CNS). This mental health disorder impacts people emotionally. It also affects the way people learn things and conduct themselves. ADHD can also affect one’es memory.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental illness that occurs after experiencing a traumatic event. Experiences that create post-traumatic stress disorder range from extreme events, like national disasters and war, to physical or verbal abuse.
Schizophrenia impairs a sufferer’s comprehension of reality and the world that surrounds them. This mental health disorder is a severe condition that interferes with people’s connections to other people. Also, individuals may have delusions, experience hallucinations, and hear voices. Professional treatment is necessary for those who suffer from schizophrenia.
Many times, individuals suffer from codependency and addiction. This combination could be life-altering as individuals who suffer from codependency causes interpersonal challenges and unhealthy relationships to develop. When addiction develops in these circumstances, the need for professional help only increases.
The best way to treat any co-occurring disorders is with an integrated approach, where both the mental health and substance abuse disorders are treated simultaneously. Whether your mental health or substance abuse problem happened first, a full recovery will depend on getting treatment for each disorder by the same treatment specialist.
Some treatment options include:
All treatment will begin with medical detox to flush all substances from the body. This will help the patient in focusing on recovery with a clear mind and without the burden of experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
Once the drug and alcohol detox is completed, patients will then transfer to addiction rehab. It is crucial to understand that detox is not addiction treatment. Detox only treats the withdrawal symptoms caused by physical dependence, not psychological dependence.
To maintain sobriety, patients must also address their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that lead to the use of substance use through an addiction therapy program.
There are multiple different kinds of addiction recovery programs available that differ on levels of intensity. Some rehab centers may process the detox and treatment in the same facility. Others may require detox and treatment in different buildings. It all depends on the specific application.
Regardless of the treatment program offered, drug and alcohol counseling is a vital component. Drug and alcohol counseling makes up the majority of the time patients spend in a rehab center. There are many particular varieties of therapy, but the primary types are group, individual, experiential, and family therapy.
Some common forms of addiction treatment programs include:
Patients reside at the treatment facility for the full length of the residential treatment program, which usually lasts 30 to 90 days, and sometimes longer if needed. Services, amenities, and policies differ amongst inpatient treatment programs.
Patients remain living at their home while undergoing addiction treatment. This option is best for patients who have a healthy household and must be home for work, school, or taking care of a loved one.
Some inpatient programs will employ holistic therapy with mind-body-spirit recovery programs. Patients will practice alternative and complementary methods, like, yoga, meditation, and art therapy.
There are more expensive inpatient programs that provide patients with upscale amenities like gourmet meals, massage, and upscale activities.
This form of inpatient program caters to working professionals to negatively impact their reputations or who cannot allow rehab to disrupt work. For executives who must continue working while addressing their addiction, executive treatment is a good option.
Some inpatient programs will couple religious beliefs with traditional addiction treatment like individual and group counseling.
Some rehab facilities have expertise in addressing the unique needs of particular communities, like LGBT, veterans, teens, men, and women.
If you or a loved one require dual diagnosis treatment in Florida, our specialists at Coastal Detox can get you the help you need by answering the questions you seek. Do not hesitate any longer, contact us today.