Dual-diagnosis is extremely common among addicted individuals, and residential treatment is a requirement for those with this condition to be able to recover safely. Call 888-810-3710 Who Answers? to find treatment centers that will cater to your needs, accept your insurance, and allow you to recover from both your mental and substance use disorders.

What is Dual-Diagnosis?

Also called comorbidity and co-occurring disorders, dual-diagnosis occurs when an individual is grappling with two disorders that are directly related and are likely to worsen one another if treatment for both is not attended. It does not matter whether the two illnesses occurred simultaneously or if one caused the other (although this discovery can help inform and strengthen treatment and recovery); anyone who has two co-occurring disorders must be treated for both at the same time.

How Common is Dual-Diagnosis?

Unfortunately, this issue is extremely common among addicted individuals, as substance abusers are twice as likely to develop a mental disorder as those who do not abuse drugs or alcohol with the reverse also being true. This can occur for many reasons:

• The abuse of certain substances may cause psychological disorders.
• The inability to cope with the symptoms of a mental disorder can lead to substance abuse.
• Genetic predisposition to both issues may occur.
• Both may have occurred at the same time in your life, often adolescence.
• Environmental factors (trauma, stress, early substance abuse, etc.) could have led to both issues.

Because this condition is so common, if you realize that you have issues with substance abuse, it is important to find out if you may have another mental illness as well. Call 888-810-3710 Who Answers? ; we can help you find out if this may be a possibility. You should also consult your doctor for a proper diagnosis.

What Are the Possible Disorders Associated with Dual-Diagnosis?

Most of the disorders associated with comorbidity and substance abuse are psychological in nature. This is partly because, while addiction itself is a full-body disorder, it mainly affects the brain and how it works, and partly because the addiction and mental disorders often affect the same regions of the brain. The most common psychological disorders associated with dual-diagnosis and addiction are:

• Depression: a severe mood disorder that causes feelings of sadness, loss of interest, and hopelessness
• Bipolar disorder: a mood disorder characterized by mood swings that take an individual from depressive lows to manic highs
• Anxiety disorders: several different types of disorders all revolving around feelings of anxiety, discomfort, and fear, including:
  • Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
  • PTSD
  • OCD
  • Social anxiety
  • Panic disorder
  • Phobias
• Eating disorders: a mental illness where a person has abnormal eating habits (eating too much, too little, etc.)
• Schizophrenia: an incurable brain disorder that causes individuals to perceive reality in an abnormal way

If you have ever experienced issues with one of these illnesses, it is likely that it has something to do with your substance abuse. If you have not, it is still important to find out if you may have any issues associated with a mental disorder so you can receive the appropriate treatment. Call 888-810-3710 Who Answers? now to learn more about dual-diagnosis and the possibility of being diagnosed with different disorders.

What is Necessary for Dual-Diagnosis Treatment?

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an effective dual-diagnosis treatment.

If you have been diagnosed with two simultaneous mental disorders, including addiction, you will absolutely require intensive, long-term treatment in order to recover. You will also need to be treated for both disorders simultaneously, as this is the only way to ensure that the untreated one will not lead to relapse and other issues. If both are treated at the same time, you will be able to recover safely and heal from both at the same rate to avoid any issues associated with untreated mental illness.

In addition, residential treatment is absolutely necessary for a safe and effective recovery from comorbid illnesses. This is true for several reasons:

• Residential or inpatient facilities are the only programs that have the options necessary for the treatment of both these disorders. Outpatient facilities often do not have the money or resources available to make sure patients receive intensive, comprehensive treatment for their needs, and support groups––as well as other low-impact options––will not provide enough assistance to those who require a more rigorous program.
• The healthcare providers at these facilities are usually better versed in treating individuals with dual-diagnoses, and they will be able to help you recover from both simultaneously.
• You will require inpatient care if you are suffering from more than one disorder because these programs are more controlled. You will require this kind of supervised environment in the beginning of your recovery because you will be dealing with twice the issues of a recovering addict or mental health patient, and this can be a heavy burden. It will be safer for you to be in a place where you are both supervised and protected as you learn to cope with the issues both disorders are causing you.

We can help you find inpatient rehab programs that use safe and beneficial treatment methods to help you recover from dual-diagnosis. Several behavioral therapies have been found to be effective in the treatment of these issues. Your individualized treatment plan may utilize one or more to help you recover and learn to cope with the symptoms caused by both.

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy: a therapeutic treatment that will teach you to see your addiction and mental illness in a new way as well as cope with cravings, withdrawal symptoms, triggers, stress, and other issues
• Group therapy: a program in which individuals all dealing with the same or similar issues are able to learn from and draw strength from one another in a peer support situation
• Relaxation techniques: the learning of different methods of helping the body and mind relax in order to fight one’s anxiety about certain events, situations, etc.

Your residential facility will utilize the treatment options that are most beneficial to you, including behavioral therapies, medications (if necessary), and other options in order to treat your addition and your mental illness at the same time.

How Can I Find Dual-Diagnosis Treatment?

We can help you find rehab centers that will provide safe, all-encompassing treatment for your multiple diagnoses. Call 888-810-3710 Who Answers? today to discuss your options and to find the best program for your needs.