When dealing with a substance abuse disorder, it often requires treatment, therapy, and support to begin the recovery journey. Steps are taken to identify the physical dependency that has developed regarding this narcotic. However, some treatment programs may solely focus on the physical symptoms while addressing any psychological side effects that have developed. In cases where a second mental illness has been cultivated alongside the substance abuse disorder, it’s commonly referred to as a dual diagnosis.
What does the treatment look like for those struggling with addiction that has a dual diagnosis? Can a personalized dual diagnosis treatment program provide the help and support they need for total body and mind recovery? Here are some of the ways to treat someone with a dual diagnosis.
Defining Dual Diagnosis
Before you figure out how to treat someone with a dual diagnosis, it’s vital to understand how mental health conditions can occur alongside substance use disorders and how they influence each other. Whether it’s someone with alcohol use disorder and depression or someone with a methamphetamine problem coupled with anxiety, these conditions require equal attention.
If you find yourself at a treatment center that only addresses one-half of your dual diagnosis, it will not prove beneficial in the long run. While treating the substance use disorder may help with some symptoms, it will not completely address the lingering mental health disorders. Having a dedicated team that understands that managing both diagnosed conditions is crucial to your long-term health.
What Are the Most Common Risk Factors for a Dual Diagnosis?
Not every person that deals with a substance use disorder or develops a mental health condition will create a comorbidity. Like with each of these conditions, certain risk factors come into play that definitively impacts whether they have to deal with a dual diagnosis or not. Identifying these risk factors can help better inform your treatment plan and help you address the underlying causes of your dual diagnosis. These can include the following:
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- Genetics
- High Stress
- Past Trauma
- Self-Medicating
Long-Term Benefits of Personalized Treatments
No matter the comorbidities that affect a given patient, trying to apply a cookie-cutter approach to their ongoing recovery doesn’t yield the kind of lasting results that they need. We work with our patients to identify the therapies that work best for the individual instead of what broadly works. Every person is different and responds to therapy differently. Developing a treatment plan tailored to each patient gives them a better chance to work through their issues at their pace and in as safe a space as possible.
Trust Silver Pines Treatment Center With Your Dual Diagnosis Treatments
Whether you or a loved one is suffering from comorbid conditions, having a treatment center that can help with your ongoing treatments can immensely benefit your long-term recovery. We work with our patients to figure out exactly what conditions they have and determine what kind of treatments they respond best to during their recovery. If you or a loved one suffers from a dual diagnosis, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Call us today at 267.209.7313 to learn more about our treatment options and schedule your first visit.