Addressing Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders In Drug Rehab

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Addressing co-occurring mental health disorders is a critical element of drug rehab. Also known as dual diagnosis, it occurs when a person simultaneously has a mental health condition and a substance use disorder.

The combination of a mental health condition and drug addiction can cause more severe symptoms, reactions, and consequences than either one. Co-occurring disorder treatment is provided at all care levels, including inpatient, outpatient, and residential.

Counseling

Some people with mental illness may also have a substance use disorder. It is difficult to determine which came first in some cases, but it is known that both conditions can result from specific genetic risks and environmental factors.

Some psychiatric disorders that often co-occur with addiction include mood and anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and antisocial personality disorder. Depression is often made worse by drug abuse and can lead to self-harm. Anger issues can be exacerbated by drugs and alcohol, resulting in aggressive behavior that could cause physical injury.

A person must receive treatment from any best drug rehabs San Diego for their substance use problem and mental illness simultaneously when they have both diagnoses. They require a therapy program that comprehends the depth of their challenges and can give them the tools and support they need for long-term recovery since holistic approaches are insufficient. This includes counseling in group settings to learn new coping mechanisms and a combination of medication and behavioral therapy.

Medication

Mental health conditions can impact a person’s ability to participate in treatment. These disorders include anxiety disorders, depression, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, and personality disorders such as borderline personality disorder. People with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders are at high risk for self-harm, impulsive behaviors, homelessness, incarceration, and serious medical illnesses.

In addition to behavioral therapies, a doctor can prescribe medications for certain conditions to alleviate their symptoms. For example, someone with depression who struggles with alcohol addiction may benefit from antidepressants or mood stabilizers. These medications can improve patients’ ability to engage in therapeutic practices and help them achieve sobriety.

Having both a mental illness and drug addiction is challenging enough. It’s even more complicated when a recovery plan does not account for both issues. Addressing co-occurring disorders in drug rehab is essential for a successful recovery. The term used to describe these co-occurring disorders is dual diagnosis or comorbidity.

Groups

Those with co-occurring disorders face more difficulties and challenges than those with a single disorder. They are at higher risk of relapse, hospitalizations, financial difficulties, family problems, social isolation, sexual and physical victimization, and homelessness.

Mental health conditions commonly co-occurring with substance abuse include anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. They may also be associated with PTSD and borderline personality disorder.

Group therapy, psychotherapy done in groups of two to 12 people, helps individuals with co-occurring disorders find hope for recovery. The success of others motivates them to stay sober, and they learn to cope with the effects of their mental illnesses without relying on drugs. They might participate in psychoeducational groups that teach about addiction, skills development groups that hone the skills needed to break free of drug use, and cognitive-behavioral groups that rearrange patterns of thinking that lead to substance abuse. They might also join mutual-support groups tailored to people with dual diagnoses.

Individual Therapy

Whether a person suffers from a mental health condition or addiction, their recovery is improved when both issues are addressed simultaneously. Concurrent treatment also helps prevent relapses of one disorder when the other is not being addressed. Many risk factors for both mental illness and addiction overlap. Genetics and environmental factors like family patterns, trauma, or stress can contribute to both conditions. Self-medication is a common trait of mental illness and addiction; people use alcohol or drugs to mask or relieve symptoms.

It is essential to find a treatment program that has experience with co-occurring disorders. Look for a facility that uses multiple therapy modalities, has staff members who are licensed and trained in treating both mental health and substance use disorders, and offers groups for those suffering from co-occurring disorders. These groups can help you learn to manage your conditions, strengthen your relationships with family and friends, and cope with challenges, upsets, or difficulties.

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