While dealing with drug addiction and alcoholism isn’t easy, the situation can worsen if one has mental health challenges. That’s because each of these conditions comes with unique symptoms.
Unfortunately, most people don’t know they have these conditions. So, they are reluctant when it comes to seeking medical help. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, about 50% of people with serious mental illnesses are struggling with substance abuse too. This is a condition known as dual diagnosis.
If you or your loved one has this problem, it’s important to take them to a dual diagnosis treatment center. They’ll find health experts who can help them start their journey to recovery.
That said, let’s look at what a dual diagnosis is and how dual diagnosis treatment works.
What’s Dual Diagnosis?
Dual diagnosis is a severe mental illness that involves both an addiction and a psychiatric disorder. As such, you can expect that people who suffer from this condition experience more severe symptoms than those who have either addiction or mental illness alone.
People who suffer from dual diagnoses often abuse drugs and alcohol as a way of self-medicating their psychiatric symptoms, such as anxiety or depression. These individuals may not even be aware that they have a mental illness because the symptoms can be similar to intoxication.
For example, the hallucinations caused by schizophrenia can mimic those caused by substance abuse. The symptoms of depression can also appear similar to intoxication, such as lack of motivation, loss of interest in activities, and fatigue.
Because many of these symptoms overlap between the two conditions, it is vital for patients seeking treatment to get professional help from a dual diagnosis treatment center.
What to Expect from a Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center
Dual diagnosis treatment centers provide a safe place to live and work on addiction and mental health issues. These centers offer a supportive and therapeutic environment. In a dual diagnosis treatment center, you’ll participate in group therapy sessions and other types of support programs to help you address your mental health issues and substance abuse problems.
Dual diagnosis treatment centers often use individual counseling as well as peer-based support groups to provide the best possible treatment for those who have been diagnosed with both addiction and mental illness.
In many cases, you will be given medications along with psychotherapy to help you overcome your symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or any other mental illness that you may have been diagnosed with.
These centers are staffed by medical professionals like physicians, nurses, therapists, counselors, and addiction specialists. They will help you find the right combination of treatments for your situation. Some people with dual diagnoses also benefit from therapeutic activities provided at these centers such as yoga or other holistic approaches to treating their symptoms.
Want to Start Dual Diagnosis Treatment?
People struggling with symptoms like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia may turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to cope with their symptoms. Conversely, some people who abuse substances may begin experiencing mental challenges due to the damage that drugs can cause to the brain.
Whatever the case may be, dual diagnosis treatment centers can help you get back on track toward recovery. Just search for a reliable and licensed dual diagnosis treatment center near you!
