Dual diagnosis is a medical term that refers to people who have both an addiction problem and another mental health issue at the same time. It’s more common than you think, affecting an estimated 40% of people with substance use disorders. Therefore, a dual diagnosis treatment approach is beneficial for those with substance use disorders as it fights the underlying cause for substance abuse as well as the addiction itself.
Learning More About Dual Diagnosis Treatment
A dual diagnosis refers to people who have a substance use disorder and a co-occurring mental health illness. Therefore, a co-occurring disorder refers to a mental health issue that occurs alongside an addiction.
There are many types of co-occurring disorders that go hand-in-hand with addiction. Common examples of co-occurring disorders include anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. When someone has a dual diagnosis, they may find that it’s more difficult to quit or stay sober.
This is because mental illness and addiction typically feed off each other. That is why it is important to treat both conditions simultaneously. The patient self-medicates to deal with the mental health problem instead of obtaining a conventional treatment for the condition.
How Enrolling in a Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center Helps
By enrolling in a dual diagnosis treatment center, you can focus on both your mental health issue and addiction at once. This means that you won’t have to try to solve one problem first before you can concentrate on the other. This can help you feel better and more positive in your journey toward sobriety.
An Overview of Common Types of Co-Occurring Disorders
Again, there are many different types of co-occurring disorders. It’s important to note that having a co-occurring disorder doesn’t mean that a person is “more addicted” or has a higher level of addiction. It just means that someone has both an addiction and another mental health issue at the same time.
Anxiety is one of the most common co-occurring disorders that people with an addiction have. It’s estimated that around 40% of people with a substance use disorder have anxiety. People with anxiety may turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to feel less stressed.
Depression is another common co-occurring disorder that people with an addiction have. It’s estimated that around 30% of people with a substance use disorder also have depression. Because depression makes a patient feel hopeless, they often find it hard to quit drinking or taking drugs.
Bipolar disorder occurs in diagnosis treatments in about 10% of the cases. It is marked by elevated moods and deep feelings of sadness and depression.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment Options
People undergoing a dual diagnosis treatment often follow a plan that includes counseling and medication. Counseling allows you to explore your issues, find solutions, and move forward towards recovery.
Final Words About Treatment
Dual diagnosis treatment programs are beneficial because they allow people to get help for their addiction and a mental health condition at the same time. Having a dual diagnosis can make it more difficult to stay sober or recover from a drug or alcohol addiction. However, this revelation can also help the patient find peace, once they begin to heal. It can mean the difference between frustration and despair and confidence and recovery.
