Dual diagnosis treatment is where a person is experiencing addiction to drugs or alcohol because they are using substances to help address various types of health concerns, including mental issues. The term dual diagnosis is used because it means that there are two separate problems co-occurring simultaneously.
First, the person is dealing with drug abuse or alcoholism. Second, they are dealing with the health concern or mental issues. As such, this is why you will also hear the term co-occurring being used to describe dual diagnosis addictions.
What Are Some Common Dual Diagnosis Addiction and Mental Illnesses?
There are several common dual diagnosis addiction and mental illness disorders that lead to drug and alcohol abuse. These include, but may not be limited to:
- Depression
- PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
- Bipolar Disorder
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Schizophrenia
- OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)
- ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactive Disorder)
- Eating Disorders
Quite often, the mental illness disorder is the underlying factor that leads to addiction. However, it is worth mentioning that not everyone with a mental illness disorder develops an addiction to drugs and alcohol.
What Are Some Common Dual Diagnosis Addiction and Health Concerns?
Co-occurring conditions can also happen when a person has various health concerns and is not able to deal with them without relying on drugs or alcohol. Some of these conditions can include:
- Chronic Pain
- Back Pain
- Arthritis
- Neck Pain
- Shoulder Pain
- Muscle Pain
- Mobility Issues
Again, these conditions can be the underlying factors that eventually lead to drug abuse and alcoholism. For instance, someone might abuse prescription painkillers when dealing with various types of pain and consequently develop an addiction.
What Is a Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program?
A dual diagnosis treatment program is a customized treatment plan developed by a qualified dual diagnosis treatment center. In general, there are specific treatment steps that are followed to address both the addiction and the underlying mental disorder or medical disorder.
Step 1: Detoxification
The first step is to go through detoxification to eliminate drugs and alcohol from the body. The process must be performed as an inpatient service because it needs to be supervised, as there are certain withdrawal symptoms that could be life-threatening.
Step 2: Start an Inpatient Treatment Program
Once a person is detoxified, the next step is to begin inpatient treatment. Having access to medical professionals, healthcare providers, support groups, and other services 24/7 is vital to recovery from co-occurring conditions.
Step 3: Address the Underlying Condition
Psychotherapy and counseling are often used to help the person deal with their underlying conditions. The person has to be able to recognize their disorder, potential causes for it, and potential “triggers” and learn effective coping skills and mechanisms to avoid relapsing.
Step 4: Participate in Group Support
It can be beneficial to supplement one-on-one counseling with group support sessions. These sessions allow others to share their feelings, their struggles, and the other aspects of dealing with their addiction and co-occurring condition.
Step 5: Reintegration
The next step is for the person to gradually reintegrate into society, return to work, and rebuild damaged relationships with family and friends. This process could involve moving into group homes for a period until the person is able to live on their own again.
Step 6: Ongoing Recovery
Recovery is not complete after completing a rehab program at a dual diagnosis treatment center. Recovery is a life-long process that requires seeking ongoing support to avoid relapses. Ongoing support can be in the form of counseling sessions, group support sessions, and so on.
If you are struggling with a mental illness disorder or medical disorder and drug abuse or alcoholism, help is available at Adelante Recovery Center. We offer residential dual diagnosis treatment programs tailored to your specific needs. Contact us today at (949) 427-9099 to learn more.