Many people who are struggling with a substance abuse disorder (SUD) are also suffering from a co-occurring mental health condition. This is called a dual diagnosis. People who suffer from a dual diagnosis need an integrated treatment plan that addresses both problems at the same time.

A dual diagnosis treatment center specializes in treating these conditions. They understand the connection between these two disorders and they know that one cannot be treated without addressing the other.

Dual diagnosis is more common than you think. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 45% of people with drug addiction or alcohol addiction have a co-occurring mental health condition.

Dealing with an addiction is not easy, and the same can be said for mental health disorders. It is easy to see why a person with a dual diagnosis can feel overwhelmed by their condition. They may think that it is hopeless. But it is possible to recover from this, with the help of medical professionals and a dual diagnosis treatment center.

Seeking treatment for drug abuse is a good start. But if you have a dual diagnosis, you need to seek out treatment for dual diagnosis. This will bring you closer to a healthy and fulfilling life, free from the effects of substance abuse and mental health conditions.

Despite the complexity of a dual diagnosis, there are plenty of treatment services that are specifically designed to help patients with this problem. Trust SoCal, for example, is one of the best dual diagnosis treatment centers out there.

TRUST SoCal helps patients who are struggling with substance abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders. Here we are going to talk about how treatment programs for dual diagnosis work. Let’s take a closer look.

What is a Dual Diagnosis?

A dual diagnosis is when a person has an addiction, whether it is a drug or alcohol addiction, and a co-occurring mental health disorder like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, etc. Other examples of mental health disorders are dissociative identity disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and eating disorders.

About half of all people with a mental health condition eventually develop a substance abuse problem later in life. While it does not guarantee that they will eventually become addicted to drugs or alcohol, it does put them at greater risk.

Dual diagnosis disorders are caused by the complicated connection between addiction and mental illness, which we will tackle later on.

Fortunately, mental health professionals can help patients with such disorders. Patients just have to look for a dual diagnosis treatment center near them to get started on their recovery journey.

Dual diagnosis treatment centers are equipped to deal with addiction and any co-occurring condition that may be complicating the problem even further. Even though substance addictions can make the situation seem hopeless, patients can regain their sobriety and live a sober life.

Knowing all about dual diagnosis can help patients make an informed decision when choosing from available treatment programs. When in doubt, contact TRUST SoCal for high quality dual diagnosis treatment.

Treatment for Mental Illness: How Does it Work?

There are many different programs that can help people who require treatment for mental health disorders. Individual therapy sessions and group therapy sessions are just a few examples. There are plenty of treatment facilities that offer both.

Similar to addiction therapy services, effective treatment for mental health disorders involves a personalized treatment plan that is based on the patient’s specific needs. Mental health disorders affect people in different ways. They have different causes, different symptoms, and different levels of severity.

People may also respond to treatments in different ways. They may have completely unique situations that contribute to their mental health issues. Personalized treatment plans are always preferred.

Treatment also depends on what type of mental health condition a person is suffering from. Different conditions may be treated differently because of various symptoms.

Treating patients with mental health disorders usually involves psychotherapy. Psychotherapy is the therapeutic treatment of mental illnesses. This is done by trained professionals who specialize in mental health, such as counselors or therapists. During this process, they will tackle things like emotional pain, unhealthy thoughts, self-destructive behaviors, etc. The goal is to improve the patient’s general well-being.

To promote a safe and effective recovery, they may also administer medications. This is referred to as medication-assisted treatment. Medications help control a person’s symptoms so that they can put more energy into their recovery. They can help fight the effects of common mental health disorders.

With fewer symptoms to distract and discourage them, patients can focus on the things they are learning in rehab. They can pick up healthy coping mechanisms and begin to recognize their triggers.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy are all examples of psychotherapy. A treatment center may also offer programs like individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, etc.

These programs are not only designed to help patients understand their condition but also to help them rebuild their relationships with friends and family members, as well as form new and meaningful connections.

By addressing all the effects of the psychiatric illness, the patient can become productive again and start rebuilding their life. They can make room for new hobbies, new connections, and new activities that bring them fulfillment.

A lot of treatment providers also offer case management services. Case managers plan, assess, and implement recovery strategies for their patients. This helps make their treatment journey a lot smoother.

In cases of dual diagnosis, wherein mental health disorders have a co-occurring substance abuse disorder, hospitalization may be necessary. Hospitalization allows patients to receive round the clock care from medical professionals. This is called inpatient treatment, and it provides a safe and comfortable environment for patients in recovery as they go through detox and behavioral therapy.

In a hospital setting, patients can be accurately diagnosed and closely monitored. The program may be adjusted depending on the patient’s progress.

Another important aspect of treatment for mental health is support groups. Mental health disorders sometimes have a social aspect, which also needs to be addressed during treatment. Support groups give patients the reassurance that they are not going through this alone. Each member of the support group offers guidance and emotional support to one another.

Finally, one other important part of a complete treatment program for mental health conditions is self-help planning. A self-help plan allows the person to prepare for things like triggers, warning signs, etc. They can stay on track by planning for these things in advance. They may also create a plan for their own wellness and recovery, including day-to-day activities that will help them build a healthier mind and body as they recover from their mental health problems.

Just like a drug rehab, one important part of mental health treatment is learning how to become self-reliant.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment for Mental Health Disorder and Addiction

If an addicted individual has co-occurring disorders, this is called a dual diagnosis. A dual diagnosis treatment center offers a wide range of mental health services combined with traditional addiction treatment programs. They specialize in treating substance abuse and co-occurring conditions like generalized anxiety disorders and other mental health disorders.

When addiction and mental disorders occur simultaneously, it becomes difficult for the person to function on a day to day basis. It is very hard to solve one without addressing the other. This is why both problems have to be tackled at the same time through a dual diagnosis treatment program.

Dual diagnosis treatment is extremely beneficial for people struggling with alcohol abuse, drug abuse, depression, bipolar disorder, dissociative identity disorder, borderline personality disorder, anxiety disorders, etc.

Because of the complex nature of these conditions, dual diagnosis treatment programs are not straightforward. There is no single formula or strategy that will work for everyone. A good dual diagnosis treatment program, however, will take a look at the patient’s condition and create a plan that suits their needs.

Different mental health problems cause different symptoms. The same can be said for addiction: different substances cause different physical and psychological effects. Dealing with substance use disorder and mental health disorders all at the same time can be tricky, but it can be done.

Dual diagnosis treatment programs take various factors into consideration including dosage taken, frequency of intake, as well as genetic and environmental factors. Treatment for dual diagnosis will address the relationship between substance abuse and mental health. They will offer behavioral therapies and administer medications to ensure that the patient can learn healthy ways to cope with their dual diagnosis.

The goal is not just to get the patient sober again, but to teach them how to maintain their sobriety for the long term.

Teenagers, young adults, and adults may go through a detox period. This is a necessary part of the rehab journey as it addresses the physical effects of addiction. During detox, the patient’s drug or alcohol intake is gradually lowered. Their withdrawal symptoms are managed by medical professionals and addiction experts to make sure they stay safe throughout the process. Medications are given to help keep cravings and withdrawal symptoms under control.

During or after detox, the patient will go through behavioral therapy, also known as psychotherapy. This process dives into the root causes of addictive behavior. Trained medical professionals will help them recognize their triggers and change their unhealthy thought patterns.

In rehab, they will pick up healthy coping mechanisms so that they can replace their substance abuse with healthier choices. This way, they can deal with the stress of real life without spiraling back into addiction.

With that said, relapse is a common occurrence and should not be seen as a sign of failure. It does not mean that the person failed or the dual diagnosis treatment didn’t work. It is just another obstacle in the long term battle towards life-long recovery.

A dual diagnosis treatment center will use an integrated approach to help address the co-occurring disorder along with the addiction. Some dual diagnosis facilities offer inpatient rehabilitation while others offer outpatient programs. In any case, addiction professionals will be there to offer their assistance, guiding patients towards long-term sobriety.

Contact TRUST SoCal today for more information on dual diagnosis treatment.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Disorders

As we mentioned, addiction and mental health have a complex relationship. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), over eight million people in the US are struggling with a dual diagnosis.

Meanwhile, the Journal of the American Medical Association reports that around 50% of people with severe mental illness are also affected by substance use disorders. They also reported that 53% of drug users and 37% of alcohol users have at least one serious mental health condition.

This further emphasizes the need for treatment centers that specialize in dual diagnosis. Dual diagnosis is just as important as traditional substance abuse treatment.

Self-medication is one of the reasons why mental health disorders often co-occur with addiction. A lot of people self-medicate in an attempt to get rid of the symptoms of their mental health disorder. They start drinking alcohol or misusing their prescription drugs to cope with their mental health disorder.

It can also happen the other way around. Some people abuse drugs or alcohol and end up developing a mental disorder as a result. These two conditions are so closely intertwined that they often end up worsening one another. For them to occur at the same time is very likely.

Dual diagnosis treatment centers help patients by addressing this relationship. They target both substance use disorders and mental illness simultaneously.

Why Choose TRUST SoCal for Dual Diagnosis Treatment

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.