A dual diagnosis, or co-occurring disorder, is when someone struggles with substance abuse and mental illness. Research shows that it is possible to overcome both these issues. However, it is much more likely when the person is receiving professional co-occurring disorder treatment. This requires the addiction or substance use disorder to be treated at the same time as the mental health disorder.
If you or someone you know is struggling with both the mental health disorder and addiction, a dual diagnosis, reach out to our Southeast Addiction TN Center team to get the treatment you need.
Consequences of Dual Diagnosis Disorders
Unfortunately, there are many negative consequences when someone goes about life with an untreated dual diagnosis. Some of these consequences might include:
- Higher risk of becoming violent
- Medication noncompliance
- Not responding to treatment if they receive it just for the mental health disorder or the addiction rather than both at the same time
- Relationship problems including fights, arguments, divorce, parenting issues, etc.
- Higher risk of relapsing when trying to get sober
- Higher risk of having physical health illnesses
- Much more likely to go into psychosis
- Isolation
- Worsened mental health symptoms
- Higher risk of going to jail or experiencing other legal issues
- More likely to get fired from their job or in trouble at school
If you or someone you know is struggling with a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder, don’t leave it untreated. The risks are just too high and you can live a much better life after treating the mental health disorder and addiction. Contact our team, here at Southeast Addiction TN Center to get treatment today.
Integrated Approach to Treating These Issues
An integrated approach is when the mental health disorder and the addiction are treated together. Why is this type of approach so essential to the success of a person’s recovery? Well, research and studies show that those who are struggling with both substance abuse and mental illness have symptoms of both. In addition, when someone has both these issues, the addiction will worsen the mental health disorder and vice versa.
If the mental health illness and addiction are treated at the same time, the professionals who are helping you can ensure that all symptoms are being treated to the same importance. For example, if you are struggling with anxiety and substance abuse, our team can get you through a detox program and help relieve your anxiety, too.
Details of Integrated Treatment
Now that you know why integrated treatment is so vital the success of your recovery, you probably want to learn a bit more about what it entails. Some of the aspects of integrated treatment that you will likely experience include:
- Professional substance abuse and mental health disorder assessments
- Medication-assisted detox programs
- Multiple therapy options (individual, group, family, fitness, nutritional, etc.)
- Building relationship, coping, and other lifestyle skills
- Exploring underlying causes and what to do about them
- Managing and relieving symptoms
- Learning about triggers and how to handle or prevent those
- Building trust with the professionals at the treatment center
- Setting life goals both in the short and long-term
- Aftercare planning
It is important to know that when you receive integrated treatment, you can go at your own pace. It isn’t likely that any two people who are in recovery are going to experience the treatment program at the same pace or do the same exact services at the same time. For instance, you might go to individual therapy more than another person who is in your treatment program. That person may need more medications to help relieve their symptoms than you do. It could go either way.
Recovery is a process and it is individualized, as well. You will have your own downfalls, obstacles, triggers, goals, success and accomplishments in recovery. While it is a great idea to support one another in recovery, it is also vital to remember that you are in charge of your own recovery. If you are struggling, be sure to talk to your professional treatment team about what can be done to help you. Here at Southeast Addiction TN Center, we will sit with you, talk through your treatment and recovery options and make a plan to best help you.
Get Effective Dual Diagnosis Treatment Today
Now that you are a little more familiar with dual diagnosis treatment, you can see why it would be so effective. With the education, counseling, support and motivational interventions found throughout integrated treatment, there are so many people who are succeeding in recovery.
Here at Southeast Addiction TN Center, we want to empower you to do your best and achieve your goals in recovery. With the help of our friendly, compassionate and professional staff, you can start getting the support you need in recovery from the moment you speak to someone from our team. In each stage of your recovery, from detoxing to aftercare planning, our team will be here for you. We believe that consistent treatment revolves around supporting one another, comprehensive treatment approaches, finding solutions to issues in recovery and overcoming all obstacles that come your way.
You never have to do go through this on your own. Our team is ready to assist you in any stage of your recovery – whether this is your first time in recovery or your fifth or tenth – we are here for you through it all.
Finding the Addiction and Mental Health Recovery Support You Need
Do you or a loved one have a dual diagnosis disorder? Even if you haven’t been diagnosed with one yet, but you know that you are struggling with substance abuse and have mental health symptoms, this may be something you get treated for here at Southeast Addiction TN.
We are only one phone call away from helping you find the addiction and mental health recovery support you need. Even if you have gotten treatment help in the past, but you have fallen off course in your recovery, our team is still here to help you achieve your recovery goals.
Contact us today to find the addiction and mental health – dual diagnosis – recovery support you need.
