Therapists at dual diagnosis treatment centers recognize that co-occurring disorders are at the root of some substance use cases. If this is true for you or a loved one, you need specific help that only dual diagnosis treatment centers can provide. What can you expect from one of these treatment programs? Can they accomplish what other rehab programs can’t?
Understanding the Need for Dual Diagnosis Treatments
The Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration defines the term dual diagnosis as referencing both a mental illness and a substance use problem. According to the agency’s figures, there are more than 20 million American adults over the age of 18 who struggle with drug addiction. Of these, nearly 8 million also suffer from a mental health disorder.
Mental health directly affects the way a person processes sensory input. Consequently, treating individuals with both a drug problem and a mental health disorder presents distinct challenges that are best addressed with a dual diagnosis program.
How Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers Can Succeed Where Other Therapies Fail
A psychiatric assessment is one of the most important aspects of a rehab facility’s intake protocol. Without this assessment, patients could go through drug rehab treatment without ever addressing what could be significant mental health issues. When that happens, relapse is almost invariably the result. In order for rehab treatment to be truly effective, these mental health issues must be identified and treated .
Most addiction treatment centers focus on the following for their dual diagnosis patients:
Pinpointing the mental health challenge
Multiple personality disorder, depression, anxiety disorders, and schizophrenia are just some of the mental health conditions therapists uncover during a psychiatric assessment. Sometimes, patients are aware of these conditions. Just as often, they aren’t.
Helping a person struggling with substance use requires a customized therapy protocol. Understanding the mental health of the client right away helps to ensure that he or she receives the right support from the onset.
Providing combined treatment
Obviously, it isn’t enough to only diagnose an underlying mental illness that may have contributed to someone’s struggle with substance use. Clearly, treating the condition is just as important. Treatment centers have remarkable success when they tackle both issues at the same time. Remember that the addiction is often only half the struggle.
Offering long-term care
Many facilities that offer dual diagnosis treatments also offer long-term care programs that may last 90 days or longer. In these longer sessions, clients are given the amount of time they need to effectively respond to therapy. Therefore, a dual diagnosis patient isn’t usually a good candidate for a fast-track rehabilitation experience.
Remember that the process must move at a pace that benefits the person attempting recovery. For some, this can be speedy, while for others it’s a somewhat slower progression.
It’s important to keep in mind that addiction and mental health disorders can’t be cured. They can, however, be successfully managed. With help from a reputable dual diagnosis treatment center, dual diagnosis programs ensure you have the tools and skills you need for a productive life in recovery.
Recovery is clearly a journey that has its share of ups and downs. Yes, relapses do happen sometimes. However, experts are always available to help you get back on the path.
Which Came First: The Mental Illness or Substance Use?
For those with a dual diagnosis, some developed an addiction as a result of their mental health condition. However, the reverse can also be true. In the latter situation, substance use leads to the development of a mental health disorder. Addiction treatment programs in Oregon that include dual diagnosis address both of these possible occurrences. Some dual diagnosis programs include the following:
- Trauma therapy
- Group therapy
- Individual counseling
- Mental health treatment
- Art therapy
There is a Way out of Struggling with Co-occurring Disorders
Dual diagnosis treatment centers such as Crestview Recovery help people like you or your loved one on a daily basis. We understand that stopping self-medicating behaviors is difficult. This is especially true for those who must deal with mental health challenges as well as substance use disorders.
You don’t have to suffer any longer. Call 866.262.0531 today, and take the first step on the road to recovery.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
