Struggling with both mental health issues and addiction can feel like an impossible battle. The symptoms of each disorder can amplify the other, creating a complex web that is difficult to untangle alone. You may feel isolated, overwhelmed, and unsure of where to turn. At Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches, we strongly believe patients with co-occurring mental illness and addiction must be treated for both to experience lasting recovery. In light of this, our Florida dual diagnosis treatment center helps our patients attack all aspects of their disorders.
What is Dual Diagnosis Treatment?
Also referred to as a dual diagnosis, a co-occurring disorder is the simultaneous presence of two or more distinct and diagnosable conditions in one person. In the context of addiction and mental health, a co-occurring disorder pertains to the presence of both substance use and mental health disorders. These disorders can interact and influence each other in complex ways, making treatment and symptom management more challenging for individuals who do not seek professional care.
Effective treatment for co-occurring disorders typically involves a comprehensive and integrated approach that addresses both conditions simultaneously, utilizing modalities such as psychotherapy services, medication management, support groups, and lifestyle modifications tailored to the individual’s specific needs and circumstances.
If left untreated, a vicious cycle of poor mental health and life-threatening addiction forms. That’s where dual diagnosis rehab centers come in.
A dual diagnosis treatment center is a specialized healthcare facility designed to address the needs of individuals who are experiencing a substance use disorder and mental illness simultaneously. For instance, when treating co-occurring anxiety and alcoholism, the individual may require both addiction treatment and mental health care to recover from physical and psychological symptoms.
Symptoms of Mental Disorders and Addiction
Co-occurring disorders are challenging to both diagnose and treat because the symptoms of one disorder may mask or mimic those of the other. Effective treatment typically involves a comprehensive and integrated approach that addresses both conditions simultaneously, utilizing modalities such as psychotherapy services, medication management, support groups, and lifestyle modifications tailored to the individual’s specific needs and circumstances.
Individuals with co-occurring disorders often experience a combination of symptoms that can be both physical and psychological. These might include:
- persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness
- intense anxiety or panic attacks
- mood swings
- difficulty concentrating
At the same time, they may engage in substance use as a way to cope, leading to dependency and worsening of their mental health symptoms. Physical symptoms can range from changes in appetite and sleep patterns to more severe issues like heart palpitations, tremors, or chronic pain.
The interplay between these symptoms can make it hard to determine where one disorder ends and begins, underscoring the need for integrated treatment that addresses all aspects of the individual’s health.
How Mental Disorders and Addiction Happen Together
Co-occurring disorders often develop when individuals attempt to self-medicate their mental health issues with drugs or alcohol. For example, someone with untreated anxiety might turn to alcohol to calm their nerves only to become dependent on it, which in turn worsens their anxiety.
Genetic predisposition, brain chemistry, and environmental factors such as trauma or stress can also contribute to the development of co-occurring disorders. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), around 50% of individuals with severe mental disorders are also affected by substance abuse. This overlap emphasizes how important it is to address both conditions in a dual-diagnosis treatment program, as failing to treat one disorder can often lead to the relapse of the other.
A dual diagnosis treatment center is a specialized healthcare facility designed to address the needs of individuals who are experiencing a substance use disorder and mental illness simultaneously. For instance, when treating co-occurring anxiety and alcoholism, the individual may require both addiction treatment and mental health care to recover from physical and psychological symptoms.
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What We Treat: Types of Co-Occurring Disorders
Our Florida dual-diagnosis treatment center is staffed with medical professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, addiction specialists, and therapists. They diagnose, assess, and provide cohesive care for individuals with dual diagnoses. The primary goal of co-occurring disorder treatment is to offer comprehensive and synchronized support for both the addiction and the mental health condition, recognizing that addressing one without the other may be ineffective or lead to relapse. Considering how multidimensional each of these disorders is, people suffering from both should seek out dual-diagnosis treatment programs to see true progress and move forward.
Before we begin co-occurring disorder treatment, all of our patients are assessed by a clinical psychiatrist and an advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP) when they arrive. This psychological assessment allows us to create a treatment plan that takes all their problems into account, even mental health problems that they may not have been aware of. Once the assessment is complete, we place patients in the appropriate level of care. We treat the following co-occurring disorders:
Yes, very much so. Approximately 9.2 million adults in the United States have a co-occurring disorder. According to 2018 statistics, 37.9% of the 20.3 million adults with substance use disorders also had mental illnesses.
Self-medication involves using substances like drugs or alcohol to manage symptoms of mental health issues without professional help. It results in dependence, worsening mental health symptoms, and dangerous side effects like overdose. Without professional guidance, underlying issues remain untreated, creating a cycle of escalating substance use and deteriorating mental health.
Dual diagnosis treatment typically ranges from 30 to 90 days, depending on the individual’s needs and condition severity. Some may require longer-term care, with ongoing support through outpatient therapy or support groups.
- 12-Steps
- Activity Therapy
- Aftercare planning
- Dual-focused counseling
- Evidence-based therapies
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Family therapy
- Group therapy
- Group Therapy
- Holistic treatment
- Individual therapy
- Medically supervised detoxification
- Meditation
- Neurofeedback
- Psychiatric evaluation and medication management
- Relapse prevention treatment
We offer expert Florida mental health services for people with various conditions, including care for common mood disorders like depression and anxiety. To do this effectively, our customized dual diagnosis treatment center incorporates innovative specialized therapies and expert care from dedicated professionals who are specially trained in the treatment of co-occurring disorders and rehabilitation.
Many insurance plans cover dual diagnosis treatment, including those under the Affordable Care Act, though coverage details vary. Check with your provider first to see if this treatment is covered. Our team can help you navigate your insurance to ensure you receive the necessary care.
Common examples of co-occurring disorders include depression and alcohol use disorder, anxiety disorder and cocaine addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and opioid dependence, and bipolar disorder and cannabis abuse.
Is Dual Diagnosis Treatment Right For You?
If you’re struggling with both a mental health disorder and substance use, it can feel like there’s no way out. However, dual diagnosis treatment offers a specialized approach that can help you regain control of your life. At Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches, we are committed to helping you break free from the cycle of addiction and mental illness. Our expert team will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that addresses your unique needs, giving you the tools to achieve long-term recovery.
It is the goal of our mental health and addiction treatment in Lake Worth to give our patients the tools they need to create better futures. For more information about our services and how we can support you or a loved one in recovery, contact our BHOPB rehab today. Call us at (888) 432-2467 or fill out our contact form to start your journey today.
Sources:
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration – Co-Occurring Disorders and Other Health Conditions
- National Institute on Drug Abuse – Comorbidity: Substance Use and Other Mental Disorders
