Addiction treatment is not a walk in the park for people dealing with substance abuse and addiction. But it is even more challenging for people with a dual diagnosis, meaning people with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, and other co occurring disorders.

Because of the close relationship between addiction and mental illness, it is essential to address a patient’s mental health issues as part of the complete addiction treatment process.

Fortunately, there are plenty of treatment centers that offer a dual diagnosis treatment program that can address both the effects of substance abuse and mental illness at the same time.

Here we are going to discuss dual diagnosis treatment centers and what they do to treat patients with dual diagnosis. TRUST SoCal, for example, is one of the best and most trusted dual diagnosis treatment centers for mental health and substance abuse.

What is Dual Diagnosis?

Knowing all about dual diagnosis and what it is will help you make an informed decision when choosing between treatment programs for someone with co occurring disorders. So before we discuss treatment centers, let’s talk about dual diagnosis.

A dual diagnosis is when someone has both a substance abuse disorder and a co occurring mental illness. These conditions are known to occur together frequently. In fact, about half of people who have mental illnesses eventually develop substance abuse disorder at some point in their lives. Their substance abuse may lead to substance addiction, which is further complicated by their existing mental disorders.

It could also happen the other way around, with some people who are abusing drugs and alcohol developing mental illness as a result of their substance abuse.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Disorders

Dual diagnosis rehab addresses the complex relationship between addiction and mental health, using treatment practices that target both of these issues simultaneously. These treatment facilities understand the complicated connection between substance abuse and mental illness.

Some people cope with their existing psychiatric illness by drinking excessively or taking different kinds of drugs. In the process, they become addicted. This eventually leads to co occurring disorders that require dual diagnosis treatment.

On the other hand, some people struggling with addiction may develop a mental health disorder as a result of their substance abuse. Mental illnesses and addiction can worsen each other’s symptoms because of their interactions. Those who are seeking addiction treatment services should prioritize dual diagnosis treatment centers because they can address any co occurring disorders.

The interactions between addiction and mental health are not always consistent. Just because someone has mental health issues does not mean they will become addicted, and vice versa. But this connection exists between the two, and the way they influence one another can make it more difficult for someone with dual diagnosis to recover. This means we cannot ignore the relationship between addiction and mental illness.

Dual diagnosis treatment centers treat both conditions at the same time, providing mental health care and addiction treatment in order to give patients the best chances of making a full recovery.

Both substance use disorder and mental health conditions have their unique set of symptoms. These symptoms may get in the way of a person’s daily life, making dual diagnosis therapy a necessity.

Treatment for Mental Illness: Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers

Dual diagnosis is much more common than people think. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) says that over eight million Americans are struggling with a dual diagnosis disorder.

According to reports found in the Journal of the American Medical Association, around 50% of individuals with severe mental illness are affected by substance use disorder. The journal also reported that 37% of alcohol users and 53% of people who suffered from drug abuse also have at least one serious mental health disorder.

On the flip side, 29% of people with a mental health disorder abused alcohol or drugs, according to the report.

Treating co occurring disorders can be tricky, and that is because there are many different kinds of mental health conditions out there, such as depression, PTSD, anxiety bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, and eating disorders. But substance abuse also has a wide range of effects depending on a number of factors such as the type of drug taken, the duration of substance abuse, genetics, and environmental factors.

The challenge is to find a treatment center that has treatment programs specifically designed to handle the complexities of a dual diagnosis.

Dual diagnosis disorders are treated under specialized treatment programs that address substance use disorder and any co occurring disorders. A mental health professional plays a key role in the addiction treatment process. With proper help, a dual diagnosis can be treated.

How Does a Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center Treat a Patient?

A dual diagnosis may be overwhelming to deal with, but it can be done through a proper dual diagnosis treatment program. For treatment to be effective, dual diagnosis treatment centers need to address both the addiction and the patient’s co occurring disorders.

To treat an addiction and a mental disorder simultaneously, it needs to combine behavioral therapies and medications. Dual diagnosis treatment tackles both the physical and mental health problems caused by substance abuse. By treating a patient’s physical symptoms, they can focus on addressing the behavioral factors that keep them addicted.

Just like your traditional substance abuse treatment, the goal of dual diagnosis treatment is to give the patient the biggest chance of regaining their sobriety and maintaining it for the long term. A dual diagnosis rehab gives patients the best chances of enjoying life long sobriety.

High quality behavioral healthcare aims to teach patients how to stay sober on their own through healthy coping mechanisms. This way, they can handle themselves once they leave the treatment facility and face the challenges of the real world.

Dual diagnosis treatment centers often use an integrated approach to provide adequate treatment for their patients. They can prescribe medications to keep symptoms under control. At the same time, the patient learns how to manage their condition through behavioral therapy. They can start to implement lifestyle changes that will help them in the long run.

Peer support groups play an essential role as well. The social aspect of treatment programs give patients the reassurance that they are not going through this alone. Even though dual diagnosis is tough, they can get support from people who have been through similar experiences and know exactly what is going on. Group therapy and support groups can help patients make significant progress in their recovery journey.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers: Inpatient or Outpatient?

A dual diagnosis addiction treatment center may offer inpatient treatment and outpatient treatment, depending on the facility. Some rehabs in the behavioral health industry offer inpatient treatment, wherein the patient remains in the facility for the duration of their psychiatric treatment. The program may last for a few months, up to a year, depending on the patient’s progress and condition.

Inpatient treatment programs are beneficial because they are highly structured and intensive, meaning patients can focus on their recovery while staying in a safe and comfortable environment.

They can receive round the clock care from professionals who can give them support in case of a medical emergency.

Substance use disorders tend to take away a person’s control over their own lives. The structured nature of residential treatment gives them the ability to regain this control. They will learn to replace substance abuse with healthy and productive habits.

During the detox process, the patient’s drug or alcohol intake is gradually lowered. The patient’s withdrawal symptoms are managed by medical professionals so that they can regain their sobriety safely and avoid relapse.

On the other hand, outpatient programs are designed to be more flexible so that patients can continue to receive the treatment that they need while they keep up with their responsibilities outside of the treatment facility.

The patient makes scheduled visits to the treatment provider but is allowed to go home in between treatments. This means the rehab facility does not provide food and lodging, so the patient has to manage it by themselves. Outpatient care works best when the patient has a solid support system at home and has a relatively mild or manageable dual diagnosis.

There are many different treatment options out there. Aside from the conventional methods like group therapy sessions, cognitive behavioral therapy, and trauma therapy, there are alternative treatment options like art therapy, dance therapy, equine therapy, recreational therapy, acupuncture, hypnotherapy, music therapy, etc.

In any case, you should look for high quality behavioral healthcare, whether its inpatient or outpatient treatment. There are insurance providers that cover different kinds of addiction treatment programs.

Finding the Right Treatment Program for a Mental Health Disorder

It doesn’t matter which one you got first. You need to find the best treatment centers in your area and seek treatment for you or your loved one with a dual diagnosis.

Seeking addiction treatment may be intimidating at first because there are so many factors to consider. But start looking around and collect information on your local behavioral health industry to find out more about available treatment options.

Location is an important factor to consider, so start by looking for a nearby treatment center. Find out what programs they have to offer, and whether or not they have dual diagnosis treatment. There are plenty of dual diagnosis treatment centers out there, so try to find one that is closest to you.

Dual diagnosis treatment centers will be able to create a long-term recovery plan that addresses mental illness and addiction. Remember that all patients are different, so what may work for one may not work for others. A personalized treatment approach is always ideal.

The best treatment centers always create a personalized plan for each of their patients dealing with substance use disorders.

Because treatment for dual diagnosis may involve detox, look for a treatment center that offers detox. Some facilities offer it as a separate treatment option, while other treatment centers offer only detox. During medical detox, the patient’s drug or alcohol intake is lowered. However, people who have been abusing these substances for a long time may go through an uncomfortable period of withdrawal.

It is important to have medical professionals around to keep them safe. They may administer medications to help keep symptoms under control. The goal of detox is to make the process as comfortable for the patient as possible, and you need to find a treatment center that is equipped to do that.

Patients can also go through individual and group therapy either during detox or afterwards. This is done to keep patients on the right track. It teaches them to recognize their triggers: situations, people, and things that fuel their need for a certain drug or drink. They will then learn to avoid these triggers or find better ways to handle them without using these harmful substances.

During their time in the treatment center, they will learn how to replace these actions with healthier thoughts and actions. This will improve their chances of staying sober once they leave the rehab facility. This same approach is used during dual diagnosis treatment, but the patient’s mental health disorders are also addressed.

Support groups and family therapy can make the experience easier for patients struggling with a dual diagnosis. This gives patients the emotional support they need to get through this difficult process. Sometimes a treatment center will offer group therapy for their patients, but you may also join support groups outside of the rehab facility.

Look for the best treatment centers by targeting programs and facilities that are licensed and accredited. Do your research beforehand and see if they have the credentials to back up their claims.

Some dual diagnosis treatment centers specialize in specific mental health disorders like post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, or depression. Because of their specialization, they have plenty of experience when it comes to helping patients with similar conditions. Some specialize in bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Some may take a more generalized approach to mental health treatment.

See if the facility offers any aftercare programs. This is another essential part of the treatment journey, and you may have to find a separate facility for aftercare.

When in doubt, go for TRUST SoCal. This is one of the best treatment centers for dual diagnosis.

Why Choose TRUST SoCal

TRUST SoCal provides high quality behavioral health services. This addiction treatment center recognizes the need for more mental health services across the country, which is why they have dedicated their rehab approach to mitigating these issues with the use of intensive treatment.

TRUST SoCal believes in highly personalized treatment that addresses a client’s specific addiction treatment needs. What makes TRUST SoCal different is their evidence-based practices, coordination of care, true discharge planning, and feedback-informed treatment.

TRUST SoCal also follows the eight dimensions of wellness: emotional, environmental, financial, intellectual, occupational, physical, and social. This allows them to address most concerns that affect a person’s ability to recover from their addiction.

Call TRUST SoCal today and learn more about addiction treatment in Santa Ana, California.