If you have never heard of the term dual diagnosis before, you can probably guess what it may involve. It refers to dual, or two, diagnoses that can affect a person at the same time. It is relatively common, and most people see or experience dual diagnosis cases before understanding it. The suffocating stigma around addiction and mental health may be to blame because such a common phenomenon is so uncommonly discussed. As increased awareness has highlighted the high rate of mental health conditions and substance use disorders, it is important to understand the ways addiction and mental illness coexist. Individuals struggling with a dual diagnosis can find the help they need in mental health treatment programs at addiction treatment centers.
At New Start Recovery, we understand the significance of treating mental health and addiction together. Our dual diagnosis therapy in Orange County, CA, can help you overcome the challenges of conditions like anxiety and depression that frequently occur alongside substance use disorder. To learn more about healing at our dual diagnosis treatment center, give us a call today at [Direct].
What Does Dual Diagnosis Mean?
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, dual diagnosis is when someone experiences a mental illness and a substance abuse problem simultaneously. This is also sometimes referred to as comorbidity or co-occurring disorders. While comorbidities and co-occurring disorders are not limited to mental health and addiction, dual diagnosis refers to this specific combination of diagnoses. Some of the mental health conditions that most often accompany substance use disorder include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Borderline personality disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Eating disorders
Either condition can develop first. A person experiencing a mental health condition may turn to drugs and alcohol as a form of self-medication to improve the troubling mental health symptoms they experience. On the other hand, substance abuse can also lead to mental health problems because of the effects drugs have on a person’s moods, thoughts, brain chemistry, and behavior.
How a Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center Can Help Co-occurring Disorders
People with dual diagnoses vary widely in the scope and severity of their concurrent diseases. A dual diagnosis treatment center typically offers a range of programs to help even the most severe addictions and mental health disorders. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may choose from:
- Outpatient treatment – The least intensive, great for mild addictions
- Intensive outpatient treatment – A step up from outpatient, provides a bit more support
- Partial hospitalization program – The most intensive form of outpatient treatment, sessions occur most days of the week
- Residential treatment – The best option for severe addictions and mental health disorders, the most structure and support
Each of the above programs provides various therapies and medication to help you overcome the difficulties of managing your mental health condition and substance abuse. The main difference will be in the program’s intensity and how much time you will need to commit to treatment.
New Start Recovery: Your Trusted Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program in Orange County, CA
Struggling with a dual diagnosis can feel incredibly overwhelming, but there is hope. New Start’s staff addiction therapists see these situations every day and have specific training to treat concurrent mental illnesses. It is important to be honest with us about any mental health problems to structure your treatment to accommodate them. You will get the most out of your rehab experience if both issues are addressed simultaneously. Call us today at [Direct] to learn more about the therapy and treatment structures we offer at our dual diagnosis treatment center.