Statistics show that nearly half of all individuals diagnosed with a substance use disorder also suffer from a mental health issue. This is known as a dual diagnosis. Individuals battling on two fronts will require a personalized dual diagnosis treatment plan capable of addressing both disorders. If you are struggling with depression, anxiety, or another mental health concern and have turned to drugs or alcohol as a way of coping, don’t hesitate to find addiction treatment programs that suit you and your needs.
What Is Dual Diagnosis?
A person with a dual diagnosis has an alcohol and/or drug use disorder as well as at least one significant and co-occurring mental health issue that will need to be treated simultaneously to encourage a complete recovery. It is common for these conditions to occur together. So common, in fact, that half of those who have a mental disorder have struggled with, or are currently battling, substance abuse. Dual diagnosis treatment is a proven method of concurrently addressing the co-occurring issues.
The Benefits of Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Mental health issues and a drug or alcohol addiction each have their own unique set of causes and effects that may impact your life at home, your career, and how you respond in various social situations. Unfortunately, many of these disorders work in concert to amplify the negativity you are experiencing in your life. When a mental health problem is left untreated, the substance abuse problem will likely worsen. Additionally, as substance use intensifies, your underlying mental health struggles usually get more treacherous. The best addiction treatment programs will work to uncover underlying mental health issues, past trauma, and current negative emotions through professional dual diagnosis treatment.
Co-Occurring Disorders Are More Common Than You Think
The mental health problems commonly co-occurring with an addiction to drugs and alcohol include:
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Anxiety
A dual diagnosis treatment and addiction treatment programs are capable of helping the millions of individuals that are impacted every single day because substance abuse is intrinsically tied to mental health. The number of people suffering and in need of dual diagnosis treatment is actually quite staggering:
- Approximately half of all U.S. adults suffering from severe mental health disorders are also affected by substance use disorder
- Over one-third of those addicted to alcohol, and more than half of the people who abuse drugs regularly, have at least one mental illness that must be addressed through dual diagnosis to enjoy a full recovery
- Approximately 30-percent of all adults who have been diagnosed as mentally ill also have an alcohol or drug abuse issue. Sober houses in Mass is one place to help these individuals safely transition from dual diagnosis treatment back into their home environment
When you are spending copious amounts of physical and mental energy battling your body’s dependence on drugs and your mind’s unrelenting negativity, you may wonder, what is dual diagnosis, and can it help me? You may also think that life is unfair and your future is bleak, at best. However, addiction treatment programs can help you see the light ahead. And sober houses in Mass can be a further step toward a new life filled with positivity, structure, and accountability in recovery.
What Happens During Dual Diagnosis Treatment?
A dual diagnosis treatment program will dig deep into your past experiences, trauma suffered, and personal history to get at the root of your mental health and addiction issues. The signs and symptoms of these issues can vary from person to person, depending on the specific mental health struggle and the type of substance being used. In a safe, comfortable rehab and behavioral health center, dual diagnosis treatment by a professional staff can make all the difference.
There are numerous commonalities in the way depression, anxiety, and addiction can look, including:
- A reliance on drugs and/or alcohol to cope with trauma or intense emotions
- Using drugs or alcohol to manage physical pain
- Drink alcohol causing a deeper depression
- Feeling depressed or anxious even when sober
- Drinking alcohol because of anxiety
- A family history of mental health disorders and/or substance abuse
- Relapsing because mental health issues were not addressed through dual diagnosis treatment
With dual diagnosis treatment, there is hope. Get the help you deserve today.
