Co-Occurring Disorders

Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment in Palm City

Substance use disorders have many risk factors that play a role in their development. You could be genetically predisposed to addiction, witness substance abuse in your environment, or have underlying mental health conditions that lead to self-medication. When you experience a mental illness at the same time as an addiction, this is known as having co-occurring disorders.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 21.5 million adults struggled with mental illness and addiction in 2022.[1]

When you have comorbid mental health issues and a substance use disorder, you need to receive treatment for both conditions at once. Thankfully, dual-diagnosis treatment centers offer integrated treatment for co-occurring disorders. These programs offer evidence-based addiction treatment services in combination with clinically proven mental health recovery methods.

In this article, you will learn:

• What are co-occurring disorders
• Signs that you have a mental health disorder and an addiction
• How comorbid mental illness and substance use disorder are treated

What are Co-Occurring Disorders?

Co-occurring disorders are also referred to as dual diagnosis or comorbid conditions. They occur when you have a mental illness and a substance use disorder at the same time. Either condition can begin first, causing you to become more susceptible to developing the other.

Most commonly, people begin with an underlying mental health condition. Their untreated symptoms make them more likely to abuse drugs or alcohol, which leads to the development of an addiction. On the other hand, abusing substances can cause you to develop a mental illness over time.

The most common conditions to co-occur with addiction include:[1]

• Anxiety disorders 
• Mood disorders like depression or bipolar disorder
• Schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders
• Conduct disorders
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Personality disorders
• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

That said, any mental illness can be comorbid with addiction. No matter what type of mental health disorder you have, you need to attend a dual-diagnosis treatment facility. Without receiving treatment for both conditions, the untreated disorder will cause a relapse in the other.

Signs You Are Struggling With Co-Occurring Disorders

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), 37.9% of people with substance use disorders have a mental illness while 18.2% of people with a mental health condition suffer from addiction.[2]

If you are worried that you have co-occurring disorders, you should be aware of the signs and symptoms. The signs that you have both an addiction and mental health problems include:

• Abusing drugs or alcohol to cope with intense emotions or painful memories
• Having a hard time controlling how much of a substance you use
• Experiencing drastic changes in mood or behaviors
• Changes in your sleeping and eating patterns
• Intense feelings of sadness, hopelessness, fear, or numbness
• Experiencing strong cravings to abuse drugs or alcohol
• Feeling like you need substances to be “normal”
• Dealing with thoughts of self-harm or suicide
• Abrupt changes in weight
• Decreased ability to meet responsibilities at home, school, or work
• Prioritizing substance abuse over things or activities that used to be important to you
• Needing to increase the dose of a substance to experience the desired effect
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you stop using drugs or alcohol

If you experience the above-mentioned symptoms, you might have both a mental illness and an addiction. Individuals with co-occurring disorders should seek help from a residential treatment center like Palm City Wellness. We can help you regain control over your life and achieve long-term sobriety.

How Does Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment in Palm City Work?

Dual-diagnosis rehab centers like Palm City Wellness treat co-occurring disorders simultaneously. This prevents you from experiencing a relapse later on. During one of these programs, you will receive a combination of medical detox, individual therapy, group counseling, relapse prevention planning, and more.

Co-occurring disorder treatment in Palm City involves a two-fold approach:

Addressing Addiction

First, you will undergo medical detox to flush the drugs and alcohol out of your system. Because withdrawal symptoms will occur, treatment includes medical services like medications, IV fluids, and more.

Once you overcome withdrawal, you will begin individual therapy and group counseling to address your substance use disorder. Evidence-based therapies are used to help you uncover the root causes of your addiction and teach you vital coping skills that prevent relapse.

In addition to therapy, you might be offered medication-assisted treatment (MAT). This is common for people struggling with opioid addiction or alcoholism. During MAT, medications are used to prevent withdrawal symptoms, manage cravings, and lessen your chances of relapse.

You will also participate in relapse prevention planning. This process involves identifying your triggers for relapse and developing healthy coping mechanisms. You will be taught how to build a supportive community within support groups, such as 12-step meetings, to help you practice sobriety independently.

Treating Mental Health

In addition to addiction recovery services, you will receive mental health treatment. Depending on what mental illness you struggle with, you might be prescribed daily medication. For example, conditions like bipolar disorder, depression, and even anxiety often require long-term medication to manage symptoms that are caused by chemical imbalances in the brain.

In addition to medication, you will participate in therapy. The specific therapeutic model you are treated with will depend on what type of mental health condition you experience. Traditional talk therapy is often beneficial for those with anxiety and depression, while people with a history of trauma will require trauma-informed care.

Once you have learned how to manage the symptoms of your comorbid mental illness, you will begin aftercare planning. Often, aftercare for co-occurring disorders involves:

• Continued therapy
• Medication management
• Access to an alumni support group
• Referrals to outpatient rehab or sober living programs
• Case management services like vocational assistance
• And more!

Get Connected to Treatment for Co-Occurring Disorders in Palm City

If you or a loved one suffers from co-occurring disorders, it’s time to seek professional help. Dual-diagnosis treatment centers like Palm City Wellness can help you recover from both of your conditions at the same time. Additionally, we use trauma-informed care to make sure every patient feels safe in our facility.

Contact us today to get treatment for co-occurring disorders in Palm City.

References:

1. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Co-Occurring Disorders and Other Health Conditions
2. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Comorbidity: Substance Use and Other Mental Disorders