According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 45 percent of people with addiction have a co-occurring mental health disorder
Dual diagnosis conditions are often referred to as co-occurring or disorders. This is a clinical term that refers to the circumstances where an individual is struggling with both substance abuse and behavioral health or other mental disorder at the same time.
There are times when both conditions can be especially harmful because each disorder is capable of contributing worsening symptoms of the other. Alcohol or drug addictions, for example, are sometimes developed in hopes of coping with the mental health complications they are suffering from in their life.
When an individual struggles with severe anxiety, they may turn to prescription opioids to escape the brutal side-effects the anxiety is causing instead of seeking help through a certified addiction treatment center. Shoreline Recovery in San Diego is fully-equipped and prepared to provide the appropriate treatment program for any unique circumstance that you, a family member, or friend may be experiencing.
So now, in addition to the symptoms of their mental illness, they may also begin to show signs that another chemical dependency is being developed.
More intensive long-term mental health complications
Experiencing mild to severe withdrawal symptoms
Growing tolerances resulting in higher doses of the drugs needed
Full-blown addiction to drugs and alcohol with all its accompanying consequences and negative side-effects
Years of studies and evidence have shown that individuals suffering from dual diagnosis disorders can recover and maintain stability with the proper treatment and care. Treatment methods for dual diagnosis come in many forms, with a majority of them involving family therapies and behavioral interventions. Behavioral therapy types vary a little but stay consistent from one treatment facility to another. A couple of these frequently seen methods that are used in dual diagnosis treatment programs include:
Those who receive this therapy are taught to minimize beliefs and behaviors that have proven to be problematic in the past. Developing healthier behavioral habits and necessary skills to help maintain their new sober lifestyle remain top priorities during this form of therapy.
This specialized form of therapy primarily focuses on treating mental health disorders symptoms along with the side-effects experienced by substance abuse both at the same time.
The main goal of this therapy option is to reduce behaviors that result in self-harm. This is crucial because this behavior is often associated with both drug addictions and mental health conditions.
Behaviors related to substance abuse or specific mental health issues are targeted during this form of therapy.
Common strategies that are implemented by these individuals include:
Consuming alcoholic beverages to make social encounters less anxiety-prone
Using benzodiazepines in sometimes excessive amounts in hopes of intercepting oncoming panic attacks.
Consuming alcoholic beverages to make social encounters less anxiety-prone
Smoking or using other marijuana products so that emotional pains are hoped to become numb.
The use of cocaine primarily increases the sense of motivation and energy levels to complete daily tasks and responsibilities.
Turning to substances like drugs and alcohol to escape the symptoms of mental health disorders can be very damaging and dangerous for the user. As the drug or alcohol use continues, the user will find themselves developing a tolerance to it. Therefore, needing higher doses of the substances to be able to achieve the desired effect. This negative cycle is what creates a co-occurring addiction and mental health disorder.
