Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers Near Me

Dealing with depression and anxiety are difficult enough, but having it roll into a drug addiction is one of the most difficult situations from which one has to recover. Dual diagnosis clinics are designed to make this recovery more successful. Two people can be going through a devastating breakup of a relationship and one takes six months of going through the motions of life before they begin to feel better, and the other ends up addicted to drugs, changing the course of their life. No one can determine why someone ends up not being able to handle what life throws at them so much that they continue past that first hit onto a damaging path of substance abuse. Mental illness is also a prevalent problem when facing life’s challenges and data shows high rates of the coexistence of mental illness and substance abuse disorders. One study proved that over 60% of teens in community-based drug addiction treatment programs also had criteria that led to a mental illness diagnosis. Whether someone is insightful enough to recognize that they have a problem or a family member is searching for a treatment option for them, dual diagnosis treatment centers may the best solution for anyone that wants to get their life back to better than before.

What is a dual diagnosis?

Dual diagnosis is also known as a co-occurring disorder and is extremely difficult to treat. It’s a combination of a mental disorder and drug addiction:

1. Substance abuse
2. Mental illnesses that include:
   1. ADD/ADHD
   2. Bipolar
   3. Anxiety
   4. Borderline Personality Disorder
   5. Depression
   6. Trauma/PTSD
   7. Eating Disorders
   8. Personality disorders

It is a long, slow process to find a treatment that works on someone’s mental illness, since everyone reacts to remedies so differently. Figuring out the dosage and the most effective combination of psychiatric drugs can take many months, and without behavioral therapy to learn coping skills, it can take even longer. It also took time to slide into a drug addition, so it can take years of recovery and relapse to regain control of one’s life in that aspect. It’s also difficult to find relief from addiction without entering into programs that balance a combination of behavioral and medication-assisted therapies. Finding one that addresses both diagnoses can be one of the most challenging tasks out there. What are the symptoms of the drug addiction? What are the symptoms of the mental illness? Will one part of the treatment work on both issues? These are all answers that can be addresses by a dual diagnosis treatment center.

How does a dual diagnosis treatment center work?

The occurrence of mental illness and drug addiction is not uncommon, with untreated mental illness a huge risk factor to an increase in the dangers of substance abuse. Over 20 million adults in the United States meet the criteria of having or having had a substance abuse disorder. The progression involved in both disorders leads to a self-destructive cycle. The mental illness leads to drug addiction, which worsens the illness and increases the dependence upon the illicit drug. Users can push away those who care about their well-being so that when family or friends act in a caring manner by seeking treatment options for their loved one, users can push even harder, thinking they aren’t accepted and are being judged and punished. The mental illness and addiction work hand in hand like an evil monster, destroying health, relationships, and finances.

Most drug addiction centers are not well-equipped to handle dual diagnosis cases, so there are facilities with a psychiatric staff that are specifically designed to handle both. They offer integrated treatments for the best results. Most are customized around each specific case, and it can still take years for a good dual diagnosis program to work with the mental illness component and drugs feeding off of each other. While assessing each potential patient, the following criteria may be evaluated:

• Criteria is met for a psychiatric disorder
• There is a danger to self or others with suicidal thoughts and/or violent history
• Drug abuse that has impacted their psychiatric health, work, and relationship is established
• Motivation exists to turn life around through dedicated treatment program
• Adequate support system in place

A dual diagnosis is one of the most difficult situations to treat, so a good treatment center will offer a combination of the following therapies for the most successful results, although there is no cut and dried combination that fits everyone.

• Integrated group therapy
  • Treats symptoms of both substance abuse and mental health illnesses simultaneously.
• Dialectic behavioral therapy
  • The goal of this is to reduce self-harm behaviors
• Individual psychotherapy
  • Treat behaviors related to drug addiction and specific mental health and behavioral problems.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
  • Minimizes problematic beliefs and behaviors while developing healthier thinking and behaviors to maintain sobriety.

Medication may be also be used in conjunction with a combination of these treatments, which will vary according to the person and specific diagnosis, from schizophrenia to an anxiety disorder. These medications may include mood stabilizers, anti-depressants, lithium, and anti-anxiety drugs.

What is the difference between inpatient and outpatient dual diagnosis treatment?

Inpatient treatment options are offered due to the fact that the combination of mental illness and drug addiction are so difficult to treat. If they are deemed severe enough for them to benefit from living at the rehab center for more intensive treatment, inpatient care is recommended. It consists of:

• Daily therapy
• The opportunity to attend support groups daily
• A community of people immersed in an environment teaching them how to live without drugs and alcohol
• Consistent education about mental health issues, as well as drug addiction and abuse.

Outpatient treatment is more flexible and varies in time commitment and intensity. It may require up to 30 hours a week in the beginning. Some start as an inpatient and evolve up to being allowed outpatient flexibility as they transition back into “real” life. Treatment may consist of:

• Medication management
• Transportation
• Living independently support
• Family and individual therapy
• Peer support groups and/or 12-step programs

What does life look like after dual diagnosis treatment?

The foundation to lead a normal life is established in a dual diagnosis treatment and aftercare maintains the progress made. Relapse prevention is the goal, with some centers offering the following options:

• Weekend stays at the rehab center
• Help transitioning to a sober living facility
• Consistently scheduled therapy sessions
• Group therapy
• Scheduled drug testing

People who are recovering can look forward to:

• Working on communication and honesty in relationships after recreating them
• Helping others who face the same issues that you are
• Family reconnections based on trust and forgiveness
• Reestablishing motivation and success in performance on the job

It may sound like recovery is an overwhelming amount of work, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t achievable and that it isn’t worth it. Simply being able to enjoy the glory of a sunny day without being consumed by thoughts of where to score the next high or worrying about where to take a shower after having to live in your car is worth every piece of work put into recovery. Most can’t even envision this kind of life anymore; however, relying on the services that can be provided by a dual diagnosis treatment center can be life-changing for anyone motivated enough to seek help and get their life back on track.