Dual Diagnosis Treatment Changes Lives
Dual diagnosis treatment for substance use disorders has become increasingly popular over the past 20 years. There are good reasons for this. Many of us have long suspected that there was a higher occurrence of secondary mental health disorders among people who become addicted compared to the general population. More recently though, researchers in the field of behavioral health have been able to support that theory in their findings.
What has also been discovered is that clients who receive dual diagnosis treatment are more likely to stay sober longer. The reasons why are easy to understand. It is effective, evidence-based care. Clinical research has shown dual diagnosis treatment to deliver better outcomes for clients. People who have their co-occurring disorders diagnosed and addressed while they are in treatment are more likely to stay sober and succeed in maintaining their recovery longer.
Dual diagnosis treatment helps in several ways including:
- Diagnosing disorders provides clients answers about how they feel and why.
- Treatment of co-occurring disorders makes them much less of a factor for relapse.
- Dual diagnosis treatment enables therapists to provide more targeted care.
- Clients receiving treatment for co-occurring disorders are less likely to relapse.
Co-Occurring Disorders Can Make Addiction More Challenging
Addiction itself is a mental illness. Therefore, dual diagnosis treatment in a drug and alcohol treatment center setting like TruHealing Atlanta makes a great deal of sense. The reality is that a condition like depression that co-occurs with addiction makes that addiction a bit more challenging. One of the reasons for this is a phenomenon sometimes called “self-medicating”. A person with undiagnosed ADHD may be drawn to use cocaine because it alleviates some of their symptoms. Someone with an anxiety disorder may find that drinking before they need to interact with people quells their symptoms. A person with major depression may simply be so bored and dissatisfied with life that any sort of “head change” they can get feels like an improvement.
Sometimes it’s hard to tell which came first, the addiction or the secondary disorder. For example, it’s possible for someone to develop situational depression because of their addiction and its consequences. Anything a drug and alcohol rehab can do to improve a client’s chances for success is in sync with the overall goal of treatment. Dual diagnosis treatment is proven to do that. About 70% of clients admitted to drug treatment who receive this type of care find they have a co-occurring diagnosis. Quite often it is one they were previously unaware of or which had previously been misdiagnosed. In any case, receiving dual diagnosis care gives the client with a co-occurring condition an advantage in recovery. Anything we can do to provide the people we treat with the upper hand against their illness is worth doing.
What We Know About Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Here is what we know for sure: Dual diagnosis treatment is more effective at helping people stay sober. The reasons why vary. One major reason is that if a person has a co-occurring disorder diagnosed and treated appropriately, it becomes much less of a factor for relapse. In fact, undiagnosed or untreated mental health disorders in dual diagnosis clients is one of the leading causes of relapse. Even if a person knows they shouldn’t pick up a drug or a drink, the promise of relief from their mental health symptoms is one more temptation. We can remove that factor with quality dual diagnosis treatment.
True dual diagnosis treatment goes far beyond simply diagnosing conditions and perhaps prescribing medications for them. Treatment at TruHealing Centers programs includes instilling effective, healthy coping mechanisms so clients no longer feel compelled to turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with uncomfortable feelings or symptoms. Dual diagnosis treatment is effective because it treats not only addiction, but the underlying conditions which are often contributing to it. It also empowers the client with a greater understanding of themselves. It absolves blame or guilt they may have carried. We are all responsible for our choices of course, but we are not responsible for our illnesses – only for managing them and that’s what we teach people to do in the TruHealing Centers dual diagnosis programs.
TruHealing Centers: A Trusted Partner
TruHealing Centers is dedicated to helping people living with addiction and co-occurring disorders. We are also proactive in supplying information and resources to people with mental illness and addiction and their families. TruHealing Centers believes that education is an essential part of the solution. Our mission is to help people recover from addictive disorders and mental illness, find and help foster long-term recovery. TruHealing Centers is more than a healthcare provider. We’re a partner for recovery. We are ready to give you or your loved one everything they need for successful recovery. All that’s needed to begin is enough willingness to try.
You Don’t Have To Go It Alone
If you or a loved one would like more information on dual diagnosis treatment, TruHealing Centers can help. Contact us today to discuss your treatment options with an addiction treatment specialist.
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