Addiction is a complex disease that can strike anyone at any time. However, like most diseases, a substance use disorder can be overcome with the right support and professional treatment. Addiction can appear in conjunction with other issues, specifically mental health concerns. A substance use disorder often arises when a person struggles (typically unaware) with a mental health issue like depression or anxiety. Abuse of drugs or alcohol is a means of self-medicating. Unfortunately, it only raises the risk of dependency and does nothing to address mental health issues. Similarly, when someone struggles with a substance use disorder, they are more susceptible to developing a mental health issue. Dual diagnosis treatment is used to address both issues simultaneously to help the individual heal fully and reduce the risk of relapse.
If you are suffering from a combination of mental illness and substance use disorders, know that you’re not alone. The team with Sierra Sage is ready and willing to help you through the process of recovery. To learn more or find a treatment center near you, reach out to the SSRS team directly at 833.922.2884 or submit relevant questions via our online form.
Dual Diagnoses: Mental Health and Addiction
\Mental health disorders range in severity. Some may make small daily tasks difficult, while others can make the act of getting out of bed seem impossible. Some of the most common mental health disorders to plague people today include depression and anxiety, not all subsets.
If you suffer from a mental health disorder (diagnosed or otherwise), you may be tempted to try and treat your symptoms independently. One treatment method many people turn to is substance use. Certain substances can alleviate mania, depression, and all of the symptoms in-between, if only for a short period of time. In seeking additional treatment, however, you can complicate your existing health problems with the addition of an addiction.
The pairing of a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder is a dual diagnosis. Dual diagnosis treatment programs, subsequently, must address both your mental health condition and your addiction if you’re to have the tools you need to live a healthier life.
Signs You Should Visit a Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center
One of the first steps you can take towards recovery is recognizing the need for dual diagnosis treatment. If you’ve experienced any of the following, a more deliberate treatment program at a local dual diagnosis treatment center may serve you well:
Developing a High Tolerance to Certain Substances
The more you use certain substances, the more your body builds up a tolerance for them. If you’re self-medicating, you will gradually need more and more of the substances to rid yourself of the worst of your condition’s effects.
This high tolerance can lead you to put yourself in dangerous positions. If you find yourself increasingly neglecting your personal health and safety to make or procure a particular substance, then it may be time to seek treatment.
Persistent Feelings of Paranoia or Fear
Self-medication is not an exact science. Certain substances can actually exacerbate the worst parts of your mental illness. Depressive substances like alcohol, for example, can make it even harder for you to overcome a depressive episode. Similarly, substances known as “uppers” can worsen your mania and make you additionally paranoid or afraid.
If you notice that the negative conditions related to your mental illness are not easing with substance use, your brain chemistry may have changed to a point where you’re putting yourself in danger. The professionals as dual diagnosis centers can help you better understand these conditions and treat them accordingly.
Treatment Options at Dual Diagnosis Centers
Just as there are several different dual diagnosis centers, there are a few different ways to treat the problems caused by mental health and addiction. These can include:
- Detoxification
- Psychotherapy
- Medication
- Inpatient rehabilitation
- Supportive housing
- Support groups
You can discuss the best treatment options for your condition with the professionals at your local dual diagnosis center.
Where to Find the Best Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers Near Me
You don’t have to contend with a dual diagnosis alone. Dual diagnosis centers in your area can help you learn the skills you need to kick off your recovery. To learn more about dual diagnosis treatment programs near you, you can contact the team at Sierra Sage by dialing 833.922.2884. Ask us questions about dual diagnosis treatments or submit those same questions via our online form.
