Dual diagnosis, also called a co-occurring disorder, refers to simultaneously suffering from a mental health disorder and substance use disorder. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, dual diagnosis affects 7.7 million Americans. Individuals with mental illness often rely on drugs and alcohol to find relief from their symptoms, resulting in substance abuse or addiction. At the same time, individuals with substance use disorders can develop mental health disorders like anxiety and depression. The chances for a successful recovery from either requires specialized treatment from dual diagnosis treatment centers.
The team of professionals at Rose Hill Center understands the importance of dual diagnosis treatment. Our top-rated dual diagnosis treatment center provides comprehensive treatment for various substance abuse and mental health disorders. Contact us at 866.367.0220 to learn more about effective dual diagnosis treatment.
The Importance of Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Substance use disorders and mental health disorders can wreak havoc in people’s lives. Individually, they can present treatment challenges. Combined, they become even more complicated. Previously, experts believed each disorder needed to be treated separately, frequently leading to a cycle of chronic relapse. Today, we understand that the way dual diagnoses intertwine makes it necessary to treat them simultaneously for long-term recovery from either.
Part of what makes dual diagnosis complex is that the symptoms of each disorder are similar and overlapping. The relationship between substance use disorders and mental health disorders is a complicated combination of genetic, biological, and environmental factors unique to each individual. The mental health disorders that commonly co-occur with substance use disorders include:
- Anxiety disorders
- Bipolar disorders
- Depression disorders
- Eating disorders
- Personality disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Many individuals with dual diagnoses suffer in isolation because they do not understand how many others suffer from the same. Using drugs or alcohol is a common way to self-medicate to alleviate symptoms of mental health disorders. While substance use may provide temporary relief, it only worsens symptoms and problems in the long run. At Rose Hills Center’s dual diagnosis treatment center, we believe that successful dual diagnosis treatment focuses on you as a person, not just your diagnosis. We utilize a holistic, individualized approach to comprehensive care.
Signs of Dual Diagnosis
Individuals with dual diagnoses experience symptoms of each separate disorder that intersect and interact with one another. These symptoms will vary between individuals and depend upon which conditions are present. For example, a person with bipolar disorder and opioid addiction will have significantly different symptoms than someone with PTSD and alcohol addiction. Still, some signs of dual diagnosis that most people experience can include:
- Social withdrawal from friends and family
- Appetite or weight changes
- Intense or prolonged feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, and despair
- Difficulty holding a job or managing daily responsibilities
- Dramatic mood swings or changes in behavior
- Financial problems or legal issues
- Inability to maintain healthy interpersonal relationships
- Angry, violent, or reckless behavior
Dual diagnosis can result in poor response to traditional treatments. If one disorder goes untreated, both usually worsen, and additional problems arise. Dual diagnosis requires an integrated approach that provides education about each condition and how they impact one another.
Choose Rose Hill Center for Dual Diagnosis Care
Estimates predict that nearly half of individuals with a mental health disorder also have a substance use disorder and vice versa. At Rose Hill Center, our integrated approach to dual diagnosis treatment helps explain how co-occurring disorders impact each other and your overall functioning. You will learn the skills to carry with you beyond treatment to maintain long-term recovery. We offer:
- Individual and group therapy
- Evidence-based therapies
- Holistic care for the body, mind, and spirit
- Medication management
- Relapse prevention planning
- Family therapy
- Community and peer support
Experts agree that individuals with dual diagnoses require treatment from providers who treat mental health and substance use disorders. Our multidisciplinary treatment team includes physicians, psychiatrists, mental health therapists, and certified drug and alcohol counselors. Residential treatment provides comprehensive dual diagnosis treatment in a safe, supportive environment, without distractions from everyday life. Contact Rose Hill Center to learn more about our dual diagnosis treatment center by calling 866.367.0220.
