Understanding Underlying Mental Health Conditions
Many addiction treatment centers claim to provide dual diagnosis treatment but can be remiss as they do not plan accordingly and integrate dual diagnosis treatment from the start as part of a personal treatment plan for the client. This is the main reason to seek out a dual diagnosis treatment center.
People who suffer from co-occurring disorders need to have both their addiction and their mental health disorder addressed from the start. Treatment programs that focus on a health treatment for both of the co-occurring disorders simultaneously will have a far greater chance of successful recovery.
Mental Health Disorders are Common with Addiction
It is common for individuals struggling with drugs or alcohol addiction to also present a separate mental health condition. Their mental health condition may be what led to substance use in the first place, and substance dependency can definitely magnify the signs of any co-occurring mental disorder. The team at Whispering Oaks Lodge is dedicated to treating both the addiction and the mental health of dual diagnosis client.
What is Dual Diagnosis?
Dual diagnosis simply means that an individual has been identified as having two separate medical conditions, also referred to as co-occurring disorders. In the case of addiction treatment, dual diagnosis is when a person who is addicted to drugs and/or alcohol is also found to have an underlying mental health condition. This separate condition is also referred to as a co-occurring disorder.
Roughly 50 percent of people in the U.S. who have addiction problems also have a mental health disorders and require some sort of mental health services. At Whispering Oaks Lodge, we focus on the following conditions:
- Trauma
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression
- Bi-polar disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- And other mental illnesses that accompany the substance abuse
Our Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program
As part of each client’s dual diagnosis treatment program, holistic treatment options are presented that support their mind, body and spirit. Some holistic treatment methods employed at Whispering Oaks are canine and equine assisted therapy as well as nutritional recommendations.
Upon arrival at our Youngsville, LA campus the intake team will conduct a thorough medical and psychiatric evaluation to see in what way a mental disorder is contributing to the substance abuse problem.
Individualized Treatment Plan
The team will then develop an individualized dual diagnosis treatment plan to meet the immediate needs and the long-term recovery goals of the client. The personalized treatment plan will take into account those underlying mental health disorders that may be fueling the addiction including anxiety, depression or trauma.
Treatment of the addiction without addressing mental health disorder does not support our overall program goals of long-term sobriety and happy living for our clients.
To learn more about Dual Diagnosis Treatment options, please give us a call.(877) 419-3005
Receiving a Dual Diagnosis
Dual Diagnosis is for people who have a drug, alcohol or sex dependence or a low dependency. This can be done by a qualified psychiatrist, doctor, psychologist, counselor, or therapist. If you’ve been suffering from a mental illness and addiction for many years, a Dual Diagnosis may be very helpful. Let’s suppose that you have suffered from severe depression due to your addiction. You might have felt helpless, depressed, or even self-harm in that situation. Putting a face to these feelings will help you feel some hope. If you are able to name your condition, you might be able to treat it eventually.
The Challenge of a Dual Diagnosis
Having a mental health condition while also struggling with addiction is far more challenging than only having to deal with one or the other. There are many therapies and treatments for co-occurring disorders that can help you feel better, and even get you through rehab. As you embark on your journey to recovery, a qualified and caring therapeutic team should support you.
How Common Is a Dual Diagnosis?
An estimated 8.5 million people suffered from co-occurring illnesses in 2017. The Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration estimates that one in four people suffering from a mental disorder have an addiction. Only 8.3 percent were diagnosed and received treatment for both disorders when they went to seek treatment.
Dual diagnosis treatment centers allow people to not only be properly diagnosed, but also receive treatment for both mental illness and addiction simultaneously. Depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, and anxiety are some of the most common co-occurring disorders. Other conditions that can affect people include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.
What Are the Signs That Someone Has a Co-Occurring Disorder?
While the signs of a dual diagnosis can vary greatly between individuals, the symptoms of dual diagnosis will usually depend on the type of substance abuse and the associated mental illness as well as the severity of the co-occurring condition.
Warning Signs and Symptoms of Dual Diagnosis May Include:
- Sudden general behavioral changes
- Difficulty managing daily tasks and responsibilities
- Avoiding events or social activities that were once enjoyed
- Neglecting self hygiene and health (either physical or psychiatric)
- Delusional thinking or cognitive impairments
- Refusal to seek or comply with treatment programs
- Mentions of thoughts of suicide or suicidal behaviors
- Erratic and impulsive behaviors
- Issues managing finances
- Poor performance at school or work
Why do Substance Use Disorders and Mental Health Disorders Occur Together?
The problems with the co-occurring disorders are often associated, but this doesn’t mean they were mutually exclusive. It can be difficult to determine whether the substance use disorder or the mental health disorder came first and which of the co-occurring disorders caused the other. Researchers believe there are three possible reasons they happen together.
- Common risk factors can contribute to a mental health disorder as well as a substance abuse disorder. These include genetics, stress and trauma.
- Drug addiction and other substance use addictions can be a result of mental disorders. This is what self-medication is. Mental health disorders can also make it more likely that you will develop an addiction.
- Substance abuse and addiction can lead to the development mental disorders since substance abuse can change your brain in ways that make it more likely to occur.
What Are the Treatment Options for a Dual Diagnosis?
Dual diagnosis patients must treat both. To make the treatment effective, you must stop using drugs or alcohol. Now, that is easier said than done. There are, however, many options for treatment, including medications and behavioral therapies. Support groups are a great way to get emotional and social support. These groups are a place where people can exchange tips on how to handle everyday challenges. The best place to get started is a dual diagnosis recovery center that specializes in the kind of help you will need.
Our dual diagnosis treatment center uses different therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy or trauma therapy to help the individual change their lifestyle. Group meetings help by providing feedback, advice and support during your recovery.
What You Need to Know About Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Dual Diagnosis patients are known to exhibit denial of their either their mental health disorders or their substance abuse. Sometimes, a person suffering from co-occurring disorders may even deny that they need treatment for anything at all and refuse therapy, treatment programs, and medication all together. People with psychiatric disorders are more likely to disregard any health care advice and ignore treatment. Unlike their family and friends, they cannot see the symptoms of their mental illness or their dependence on alcohol or drugs.
This is because mental illnesses can alter their perceptions and perspective. Anxiety can make it difficult for a person to feel good about themselves. Dual diagnosis of anxiety and depression may also affect your ability to feel well. A person with mental health issues can experience symptoms so extreme that they feel like only alcohol or drugs will be able to relieve some of the distress.
Dual Diagnosis Research
There is evidence from research that has been done on the causes of co-occurring disorders there is that shows a link between drug abuse and mental health disorders. Even still, more research must be done on dual diagnosis in the comping years to ensure the development of even better dual diagnosis treatment options.
What it Takes to Overcome Dual Diagnosis
It takes a lot of dedication and commitment to the treatment process in order to overcome dual diagnosis and return to stability and productivity. Trusting your rehab team and their recommended dual diagnosis treatment during recovery will go a long way in helping you conquer both your substance abuse and mental health condition.
We encourage anyone suffering from Dual Diagnosis to contact us to get more information about our Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center and how our facility can help you begin the treatment process.(877) 419-3005
Outpatient Treatment for Dual Diagnosis
For those that are unable to take the time away for our 45-day residential treatment program and require a more flexible first step to recovery, Whispering Oaks Lodge also offers an intensive outpatient rehabilitation program in Lafayette and Shreveport, Louisiana. This outpatient program is available to anyone who lives in those areas or is staying near those locations for an extended period of time and needs help with their dual diagnosis treatment.
