Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program in Utah
Substance abuse and mental health disorders come in all shapes and sizes. When it comes to mental illness, some people suffer from substance use disorder while others may suffer from major depressive disorder. Regardless, different people have different experiences and suffer from different illnesses; what makes things more complicated is when a person suffers from two mental health disorders at the same time. When this happens, it is referred to as a co-occurring disorder (otherwise known as a dual diagnosis). Millions of individuals throughout the United States and the world suffer from co-occurring disorders; at Acqua Recovery, we have the resources to help these individuals.
What Is Dual Diagnosis?
Dual diagnosis is also known as co-occurring disorders; it is when a person is suffering from substance use disorder and mental illness simultaneously. Dual diagnosis is a complex condition that requires an integrated approach for effective management. It addresses both mental health disorders. Treatment plans often involve a mix of mental health therapies, counseling, medication, and peer support. Treatment for co-occurring disorders is a comprehensive and personalized approach that addresses the unique needs of the individual.
Dual diagnosis can occur in various forms. Examples of dual diagnosis include:
- Depression and alcoholism
- Anxiety disorder and cocaine addiction
- Bipolar disorder and prescription drug abuse
The combination of mental illness and substance use disorder has a significant impact on an individual’s overall well-being, making it crucial to address both issues concurrently.
What Are the Symptoms of a Co-Occurring Disorder?
Co-occurring disorders present a complex mix of symptoms that vary depending on the specific mental health and substance use disorders involved. Generally, symptoms may include the following:
- Sudden changes in behavior
- Poor work performance
- Poor academic performance
- Withdrawal from friends and family
- Difficulty managing daily responsibilities
- Unexplained physical issues
Mental health symptoms could range from feelings of sadness or hopelessness, extreme mood swings, to confusing thoughts. Substance use symptoms might involve increased tolerance for substances, withdrawal symptoms, and using substances to cope with problems. Whether a person suffers from a few or all of these symptoms depends on the individual themselves. Each person’s experience with co-occurring disorders is unique, necessitating comprehensive, individualized treatment.
How Do I Know if I Have a Co-Occurring Disorder?
Ascertaining whether or not you suffer from a co-occurring disorder can be difficult. If you have a co-occurring disorder, there are a few signs to look for. Typically, you may notice persistent mental health issues even after periods of sobriety, or you may find that your substance use is directly linked to your attempts to self-medicate or manage mental health symptoms. Additionally, unsuccessful treatments for either mental health disorders or substance use could indicate a co-occurring disorder. However, only a trained healthcare professional can diagnose this condition. Therefore, if you suspect you have a co-occurring disorder, it’s critical to seek professional help.
What Are the Most Common Co-Occurring Disorders?
The most common co-occurring disorders include depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and personality disorders often paired with alcoholism, drug addiction, or both. These disorders interplay with one another, often exacerbating symptoms and making treatment more complex. It’s important to approach treatment for co-occurring disorders in an integrated manner; addressing both the mental health and substance use aspects simultaneously is imperative to long-term success. This can include a combination of therapy, medication-assisted treatment and management, and support groups.
The co-occurrence of mental health disorders and substance use disorders is quite common. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), about 9.2 million U.S. adults experience both mental health disorders and substance use disorders simultaneously. Among these individuals, only 7.5% received treatment for both disorders, highlighting the significant treatment gap that exists for co-occurring disorders. This indicates the critical need for integrated treatment strategies that address both conditions concurrently.
The prevalence of co-occurring disorders is remarkably high. Awareness of this prevalence is crucial; it underscores the need for integrated treatment approaches that address both disorders simultaneously. Misdiagnosing or overlooking one disorder could lead to ineffective treatment and poorer outcomes for patients. Understanding the commonality of co-occurring disorders can help reduce stigma, encouraging more individuals to seek help. When people are encouraged to seek help, the likelihood of successful recovery increases.
Dual diagnosis poses significant risks for individuals. The intertwined nature of these conditions can exacerbate symptoms on both fronts, creating a cycle often harder to break than dealing with a single disorder. It can lead to increased severity of mental health symptoms, poor response to treatments, higher relapse rates, and increased risk of suicide. Therefore, a comprehensive, integrated approach for treatment targeting both disorders is crucial to success and long-term stability.
The Challenges of Co-Occurring Disorders
Co-occurring disorders present numerous challenges. The interplay between the two disorders can exacerbate symptoms of both; this has the potential to lead to a vicious cycle of deteriorating mental health and increased substance use. Treatment can be complex, as it requires addressing both disorders simultaneously to achieve effective recovery. Furthermore, societal stigma and misunderstanding surrounding co-occurring disorders can present significant barriers to seeking and receiving appropriate help.
Why Do Substance Use Disorders and Mental Health Disorders Co-occur?
Substance use disorders and mental illnesses frequently co-occur due to a variety of interconnected reasons. One principal reason is that both are influenced by overlapping genetic vulnerabilities. Certain genes may increase a person’s susceptibility to both mental illness and substance use. Additionally, environmental triggers like stress or trauma can precipitate both conditions.
Substance use disorders can exacerbate mental illnesses, and vice versa. For example, a person with a mental health disorder may use drugs or alcohol as a form of self-medication. Inversely, prolonged substance use can lead to changes in brain chemistry that trigger mental health issues. Shared neural pathways in the brain could also explain the simultaneous occurrence of these conditions. Understanding these connections is crucial in the development of effective treatment strategies.
Dual Diagnosis Programs
Dual diagnosis programs are designed to provide integrated treatment for individuals who are concurrently dealing with substance abuse issues and mental health disorders. These programs aim to address both issues simultaneously; untreated mental health conditions can often lead to substance abuse as a form of self-medication, and vice versa. Therefore, the holistic approach of dual diagnosis programs can lead to more effective outcomes; this allows for long-term recovery stability and improved mental health.
Dual diagnosis programs typically offer a range of services, including medical detoxification, individual and group therapy, medication management, and support for employment or education. These programs also incorporate evidence-based practices such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing. These particular methods of care help individuals overcome their substance abuse and manage their mental health conditions.
Dual diagnosis treatment aims to address the root causes of both conditions; it provides people with the tools they need to manage their symptoms and maintain long-term mental health stability. It also recognizes that these two disorders often have a complex relationship, with each potentially influencing the other. For example, alcohol or drug use can worsen symptoms of a mental illness, and untreated mental health issues can lead to self-medication with substances. However, this doesn’t mean that just because a person has one mental health disorder that they’ll experience another one.
Dual diagnosis treatment addresses both mental health disorders and substance abuse problems concurrently; it provides a comprehensive approach to recovery. During treatment, you can expect to participate in therapy sessions including individual counseling, group therapy, and family therapy. Treatment will also likely involve medication management, where medical professionals will regularly monitor and adjust prescriptions as necessary. A focus on life skills development, such as stress management and healthy coping mechanisms, may also be included. This is done to equip you for a sustainable recovery outside of treatment.
Contact Acqua Recovery for Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment
At Acqua Recovery, we believe in treating the entirety of the individual on a unique, personalized basis. Treatment for co-occurring disorders necessitates a comprehensive, integrated approach that addresses both the mental health and substance use disorders concurrently. The journey towards recovery may be challenging, but with effective treatment it is possible to achieve and maintain mental stability. If you or a loved one would like to learn more, you can contact us here.
Dr. Pickrell is a board-certified psychiatrist with interests in addiction and psychiatry. He strives to identify the underlying cause of substance use. His understanding of addiction as the overlapping symptoms of biopsychosocial development is the foundation to his care model. He is committed to helping both patients and families understand that addiction is a treatable medical illness. He has been involved in the treatment of addiction for the last 17 years and completed his residency training at the University of Utah.
