Considerations for Co-Occurring Disorders
Table of Contents
If you have both a mental illness and an addiction to drugs or alcohol, then there is a serious challenge at hand. These are called co-occurring disorders. The best way to treat co-occurring disorders is with an approach that involves one or more different therapies for dual diagnosis treatment to help you get past each issue in the most effective way.
When needing dual diagnosis treatment, the entire process can be complicated. Overlapping symptoms of addiction and mental illness can be frustrating. Complete recovery takes time and also great care.
If you have a mental illness it is good to note that there are many successful options. These integrated dual diagnosis programs treat all aspects of the illnesses in a single location. Mental health professionals and addiction rehab counselors can work together in these programs to provide well-rounded services, within the 7 levels of behavioral healthcare.
Understanding Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Drug or alcohol rehabilitation for Dual Diagnosis must be used to achieve a complete and total recovery. In the early stages of treatment, you may need to go through medical detox, nutritional supplementation, and fluid replacement. This is a part of the stabilization process involved in therapies for dual diagnosis treatment.
When you have a co-occurring psychiatric disorder, you may also experience anxiety, agitation, severe depression, or flashbacks. These happen as the toxic substances leave your system.
It is possible to control these symptoms with medications, or with non-pharmacological interventions. This can make the detox process more comfortable. One of the primary goals of detox is to prepare yourself for the next stage of rehab. This is when the real work begins. You will learn to live a life without drugs or alcohol.
Therapies for Dual Diagnosis Treatment: Options in Treatment
Options for treatment include Individual counseling sessions, group therapy, medication, and family counseling. These are the cornerstones of an addiction treatment program. Psychotherapy for Dual Diagnosis patients also works to address the sources of addiction.
You will learn strategies for managing cravings and triggers, as well as participate in support groups and 12-step programs. These help to build coping skills and generate hope for the future.
What is Involved in Dual Diagnosis Treatment?
Assessment of Mental Health
The assessment stage will help identify which disorder you are suffering from. You may be prescribed medication or counseling to address your illness.
Integration of Addiction Treatment
By taking the knowledge from the psychological evaluation, counselors can begin working with you to address your addiction. This process typically has a specific pace due to the complications that are caused by mental illness.
Spiritual Treatment
There are many programs that employ holistic treatments. This might include massage therapy, yoga, nutritional counseling, and meditation. These can help the individual find balance in their lives. This is not an option for every single treatment center, but there are many options that include this.
Behavioral Modification Therapy
It is difficult to make it through dual diagnosis treatment, but this is one important aspect. Individuals are taught new methods for coping with their mental illness and also shown how to avoid triggers. This is typically one of the final phases of the Dual Diagnosis rehab. In this time the individual learns to master the tools needed to succeed in the outside world through the therapies for dual diagnosis treatment.
Therapies for Dual Diagnosis Treatment: Relapse Prevention
Aftercare programs are some of the most important aspects of dual diagnosis treatment. These programs can provide a support structure and accountability for the individual. Although the period after leaving rehab can be difficult, it is essential to success.
Aspects of Dual Diagnosis Therapies
Individual Counseling Sessions
Individual counseling and therapy sessions are essential when it comes to dual diagnosis treatment. Intensive therapy with a psychiatrist, psychologist, or counselor will address both your psychiatric diagnosis and your addictive disorder through therapies for dual diagnosis treatment such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (or CBT). Mental illness and addiction are completely related, which means you must be treated for both conditions at the same time.
Support Groups
Group therapy is a form of support group. It is essential during dual diagnosis treatment. The isolation and social withdrawal of mental illness often make symptoms of depression or social anxiety much worse. Going to a support group can help you restore your trust in others and eventually enhance your sense of competence.
Medication-Assisted Treatment
Managing the symptoms of anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia may require pharmacological support. During Dual Diagnosis treatment, the importance of psychiatric medications is essential. Medication is considered to be an essential part of recovery for many patients.
Couples Counseling and Family Therapy
Addiction and mental illness never affect only one individual. The spouse, children, or other family members of an addict should play an active role in recovery. This can be done by attending individual and group counseling sessions through the treatment facility.
Therapies for Dual Diagnosis Treatment: Assisted Services
For anyone who struggles with chronic anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, or depression, keeping up with the practical tasks of life can be extremely challenging. This is why in a Dual Diagnosis treatment program there are various services such as:
- Vocational counseling
- Relationship counseling
- Nutritional counseling
- Assistance with food, housing, and childcare
Residential Treatment
Residential treatment is typically recommended for Dual Diagnosis patients. This is because residential treatment, also known as inpatient treatment, is a 24 hour per day program. Those who need dual diagnosis treatment can typically benefit from living in a supervised setting.
Although outpatient care may be a viable option for clients who are stable, many patients with co-occurring disorders need intensive rehab services. Residential treatment also offers clinical monitoring not offered in outpatient services.
What to Know About Dual Diagnosis Therapies
Recovery may take longer for Dual Diagnosis patients. This is because many patients often struggle with low levels of motivation and high levels of denial. Despite this, treatment should last long enough to reinforce the skills and strategies acquired during this program.
You should also ensure that you are in a program for long enough because many dual diagnosis patients are discharged before they can reap the full benefits of their recovery program.
How Long Should Dual Diagnosis Treatment Last?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recommends that clinically supervised treatment for opiate addiction lasts at least 12 months. Despite this, most patients leave or are discharged long before this and do not thoroughly involve themselves with therapies for dual diagnosis treatment.
It is essential that each person in dual diagnosis treatment works to develop an individualized treatment plan. It should address your needs otherwise the treatment program is essentially a waste.
Almost all Dual Diagnosis patients can benefit from transitional housing at a sober living facility or residential community after treatment, where they can practice their new skills in a safe environment.
Finding a Dual Diagnosis Program
Counseling and therapy are not always enough to prevent a relapse. There are also anti-addiction medications like naltrexone, disulfiram, buprenorphine, and methadone. These may be prescribed to reduce the intensity of cravings, but also to help patients cope with the symptoms of drug or alcohol withdrawal.
The more tools you have, the stronger you will feel. The goal is to have you feel completely secure when you graduate from rehab. At Rehabs Of Armerica we can offer you the chance to fight your co-existing conditions a fighting chance.
Although no program can guarantee success, our facilities can give you more of a chance than any other. With a commitment to sobriety and great care from our staff, we can help you get sober. Contact us today to learn more about the various programs available.
Anna M. joined Find Addiction Rehabs with extensive experience in the field of addiction treatment. As a former Nurse Practitioner in Miami, she found her passion for addiction treatment when a family member was lost to his disease. With each article and resource, she hopes to save other families from experiencing the anguish of a loved one’s passing due to drinking or drugs.
