Dual diagnosis is increasingly common in today’s society, as we learn more about mental health and its effects on a person’s life. Individuals experiencing it often feel overwhelmed by its complexity and struggle to find appropriate treatment options. It’s essential to find treatments that address the connection between a person’s addiction and how it interacts with (and perhaps exacerbates) their mental illness.
At Magnolia City Detox in The Woodlands, Texas, we understand the importance of providing dual diagnosis treatment if someone has a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorders. Our treatment team is dedicated to helping individuals get on the path to recovery by providing a comprehensive care plan tailored to their individual needs.
A dual diagnosis treatment program allows medical professionals and addiction specialists to work together as part of a personalized treatment plan. These plans may include evidence-based therapies (such as cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy) to help individuals develop coping skills and manage their conditions.
What Causes Dual Diagnosis?
Can Substance Abuse Cause Mental Health Disorders?
People who are dependent on drugs or alcohol may experience shifts in their brain chemistry that make it more difficult to manage emotions or cope with stress. This can result in the onset of anxiety, depression, or other mental illnesses if they are already predisposed to those conditions. People may use addictive substances as a way to self-medicate existing mental health issues. This can lead to physical dependence or addiction, which can further worsen the symptoms of the underlying disorder.
Common Mental Health Disorders that Co-Occur with Substance Abuse
Anxiety disorders can affect people of all ages and are often (but not always) triggered by certain situations or events. Anxiety disorders can also occur alongside other mental health issues, such as depression and bipolar disorder. People may turn to addictive substances to cope with or manage their feelings of anxiety.
Depressive disorders are characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness. It can also manifest as physical symptoms such as fatigue, insomnia, and changes in appetite. Substance misuse can worsen depressive symptoms while also increasing the risk of developing depression.
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by extreme shifts in mood and energy. People with bipolar disorder experience periods of depression, mania, and hypomania. Symptoms can range from difficulty concentrating to insomnia to irritability. Addressing both mental health and addiction issues simultaneously is crucial for effective treatment, as these areas often interplay and exacerbate each other.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Symptoms of PTSD include flashbacks, nightmares, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and avoidance. Using alcohol or drugs to cope with the difficult emotions associated with PTSD can lead to a greater risk of developing an addiction and making symptoms more pronounced. People who have experienced traumatic events may turn to substances for comfort, which can lead to greater mental distress and an increased dependency on substances.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition that involves having recurrent and persistent thoughts, images, and impulses (obsessions) as well as engaging in repetitive behaviors or mental acts to reduce anxiety (compulsions). Symptoms of OCD can range from mild to severe and can interfere with daily life, relationships, and overall functioning. Using drugs or alcohol to cope with the intrusive thoughts and overwhelming emotions associated with OCD can lead to developing a substance use disorder as well as worsening the symptoms of OCD.
Schizophrenia is a chronic mental health condition characterized by difficulty distinguishing between reality and what is imagined. Symptoms of schizophrenia can include hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking and speech, lack of motivation, and social withdrawal. Drug or alcohol abuse can be common for people with schizophrenia as a means of coping with symptoms.
Benefits of Integrated Treatment
Other key benefits of integrated treatment include:
- Improved mental health outcomes
- Reduced substance use
- Enhanced overall well-being
- Development of coping skills
- Improved stress management
- Enhanced relationships with others
- Access to support groups and family therapy
- Personalized treatment plans
What is the Process for Dual Diagnosis Treatment?
Recovery from addiction starts with detoxifying the body of any substances present. Managing withdrawal symptoms during this phase is crucial for a safe and effective detox process. This phase of dual diagnosis care helps rid the body of harmful toxins and helps the person safely begin therapy and recovery.
Intensive treatment helps people with a dual diagnosis stabilize their mental health and helps them adjust to a substance-free lifestyle. This step also helps individuals learn specialized coping skills while they transition out of the dual diagnosis treatment center.
Individuals in a residential addiction treatment program receive structured and evidence-based dual diagnosis programming, medication management, and therapy. The goal of this program is to help individuals concentrate on their treatment, so they can develop the skills and strategies to sustain a healthy life.
Customized treatment plans are essential in dual diagnosis treatment programs. Individualized plans are designed to effectively address the unique needs of each client by combining various therapeutic approaches and services to enhance recovery outcomes.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): This helps individuals gain insight into their thoughts and any negative patterns they’ve developed to break them and increase self-esteem. CBT helps individuals to enhance their coping skills and improve their ability to resist temptation.
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): DBT teaches emotional regulation skills to create an environment of empathy, acceptance, and understanding. Mindfulness practice and distress tolerance can help with coping with mental illness symptoms and maintaining sobriety.
- Family therapy: This form of therapy seeks to improve family relationships and dynamics. It focuses on developing communication skills, resolving conflicts, and identifying unhealthy patterns of behavior.
- Group therapy: Multiple people discuss their challenges and experiences in a therapeutic environment, which can provide mutual support and accountability to those in addiction recovery. Group counseling can provide individuals with a supportive network of peers facing similar challenges, especially if they are all coping with the same mental illness.
- Holistic therapies: Sometimes referred to as alternative treatments, holistic therapy focuses on a person’s physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. These therapies range from traditional healing practices like acupuncture to modern approaches to healing like art therapy, yoga, and meditation.
As part of a dual diagnosis treatment plan, medication is commonly prescribed to manage mental health issues, as well as help manage withdrawal symptoms in the early stages of recovery. A comprehensive treatment plan addressing both substance use disorder and mental health issues is crucial for effective recovery and reducing relapse risk.
Medications typically prescribed for dual diagnosis are antipsychotic drugs, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, anxiolytics, and anticonvulsants. In some cases, additional drugs like stimulants, opioids, or special benzodiazepines may be prescribed to treat the underlying mental illness or used as part of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to address substance abuse.
Reach out to Our Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers in Texas
If you or a loved one is suffering from co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders, we can assist you in making positive changes. We will be right there with you every step of the way to reach lifelong recovery. Contact us today to learn more.
