The Impact of Co-Occurring Disorders
Battling a mental health illness on a daily basis can be very stressful and debilitating. When you add addiction to the mix, this can be a whole new layer of disruption.
Someone who suffers from substance abuse as well as a simultaneous mental health disorder will be given a dual diagnosis, also known as a co-occurring disorder. Your life can be turned upside down when these symptoms seem to take over, and people may turn to substance abuse as a way to self-medicate. Once caught in this cyclical current, it can be difficult to identify where one condition begins and the other ends. Getting a clear answer for what is causing the issues at hand is a key step in the recovery process.
Fortunately, there are programs that individuals can seek out to successfully treat both illnesses. Banyan Treatment Center locations provide nationwide addiction and mental health care, with dual diagnosis rehab programs designed to treat the ever-changing aspects of co-occurring disorders. Read on to learn more about why these disorders are so important to identify, as well as the resources available to effectively manage them.
What Is Dual Diagnosis and Where Does It Start?
It is the simultaneous presence of a mental illness and substance addiction. The complicated aspect of this kind of diagnosis is what the root cause could be. For some people, a traumatic event or upbringing or a biological mental disorder could lead them to self-medicate in order to relieve their unpleasant symptoms. On the other hand, abusing drugs or alcohol for a prolonged period of time can have a deteriorating effect on both the mind and body and leave the individual with a mental illness in the end.
When this happens, it is confusing not only for the person struggling but for those attempting to care for them as well. It is almost impossible to decipher between the two scenarios without a developed understanding of how mental disorders interact with one another. Just taking away a substance would likely not eradicate the problem at hand, which can be incredibly frustrating when you are fed the idea that drinking or drugs are the problems.
What should be understood, however, is that all hope is not lost in this case. Rather, it should motivate us to dig deeper and better understand who we are, where we come from, as well as all aspects of our minds. The knowledge of having dual diagnoses can seem intimidating, but in reality, it serves as a glimmer of hope for achieving long-term recovery.
Why Is Having Multiple Diagnoses Beneficial?
It can often be the missing piece to the puzzle. Addiction on its own is a debilitating cycle and one that requires constant consideration in order to effectively prevent relapse. The possibility of a relapse rises exponentially when an untreated mental illness is added to the situation. For instance, an undiagnosed individual could be drawn to self-medicating in order to mitigate the troubling symptoms they are experiencing, further reinforcing the cycle.
The phrase “knowledge is power” could not be more poignant in these cases. For mental health professionals, getting as clear a picture as possible can be what makes or breaks a successful rehabilitation experience. It is information that should inform the conception of the individual’s treatment plan and be considered throughout the entirety of their stay and beyond. Although people will always be more than a diagnosis, it is crucial information that can put a name to the experiences that continue to debilitate them.
Imagine you have a patient that is admitted for alcoholism. They clearly need extensive care, but the physical and mental assessments conducted during the detoxification process reveal a previously undiagnosed case of OCD. This knowledge will serve as a tool for the therapists, psychiatrists, and patients themself. Now not only will the drinking habits be addressed, but so will the patient's fears regarding control and the compulsions that follow.
Custom Programming in Addiction Treatment
At our Banyan rehab facilities, patients can find solace in the fact that we endeavor to understand every part of a person and their addiction. With a variety of therapy programs to choose from, each patient can get a custom treatment experience that is designed to enrich and engage them every step of the way. It is for this reason that treatment for dual-diagnosis patients will look different in each case. It goes to show that addiction is not a “one size fits all” experience, and neither is recovery.
You have the opportunity to overcome your illnesses when you decide to get the help that you deserve. Seeking dual diagnosis treatment will be the best decision because you will be able to focus solely on your recovery and move past your struggles. You should seek healing with addiction treatment centers that will provide individualized care during your entire stay. Dual diagnosis treatment that will cater to your specific needs and recovery goals. This will allow you to fully overcome your co-occurring disorders and learn how to manage your symptoms in the future.
Customized programming for a dual diagnosis includes evidence-based treatment combined with unique therapy methods that help individuals get to the root of their problems. Finding productive ways to change unhealthy thinking patterns is the main component during treatment, and each person will have the proper resources to maintain long-term recovery.
Overcoming any dual diagnosis takes strength, patience, and dedication. You must realize that the recovery journey is a lifelong practice that needs constant maintenance and care. As a patient of ours, you will get this consideration and continued support from professionals that seek to understand you and your conditions. You simply do not have to face any of this alone.
If you are struggling with a mental illness and you turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to cope, call 888-280-4763 to learn more about how our Banyan rehab locations can help. We can help you overcome your dual diagnosis, supporting you every step of the way.
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