Addiction and mental health conditions often go hand in hand. When you have an untreated mental health issue, you might be tempted to numb your symptoms with drugs and alcohol. Over time, you’ll develop an addiction.
Having an addiction and a mental illness at the same time is known as a co-occurring disorder. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 21.5 million people in the United States have co-occurring disorders.[1]
Treating co-occurring disorders can be complicated. You need services for addiction and mental health at the same time. Thankfully, dual diagnosis rehab centers were created for this exact reason.
During treatment for co-occurring disorders in Palm City, you’ll receive an in-depth assessment to determine your needs, medical detox to help you overcome the physical aspects of addiction, evidence-based therapies that treat both of your co-occurring disorders and more.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- What are co-occurring disorders?
- Why do mental health and addiction need to be treated at the same time?
- What should you expect during dual diagnosis rehab in Palm City?
What to Expect During Treatment for Co-Occurring Disorders in Palm City
Co-occurring disorders are characterized by having a mental illness and a substance use disorder at the same time. They need to be treated simultaneously to prevent relapses from occurring. For example, if you only treat your addiction, the symptoms of your mental health condition will lead to a relapse in the future.
Thankfully, treatment programs for co-occurring disorders combine mental health and addiction treatment. These integrated treatment programs make it possible for you to achieve long-term recovery from both of your disorders.
During treatment for co-occurring disorders in Palm City, you can expect:
In-Depth Assessment
When you arrive at a dual diagnosis treatment center, you’ll undergo in-depth assessments to determine your needs. Your addiction assessment will cover information about your physical health, mental health, and history of substance abuse.
You’ll also participate in mental health assessments to determine your diagnosis. Even if you’ve already been diagnosed with a mental health condition, your treatment program will confirm it. Your mental health assessment will help you figure out if you have an anxiety disorder, depression, a personality disorder, mood disorders like bipolar, and more.
Once your assessments are completed, the medical team will create a treatment plan based on your needs. Your treatment plan might include how long you’ll need to stay at the facility, whether you need medical detox, what types of therapy you should engage in, and more.
Medical Detox
Dual diagnosis treatment facilities use medical detox to help you overcome withdrawal symptoms. The withdrawal symptoms you experience and the medication you need will depend on what substance you are addicted to. For example, opioid withdrawal is treated with other opioid medications while alcohol withdrawal is addressed using benzodiazepines.
In addition to receiving medication to lessen your withdrawal symptoms, nurses and doctors will consistently monitor your vital signs to ensure you remain stable. You might be given medical treatments like IV fluids or vitamin replacement therapy.
Evidence-Based Therapies
Once you overcome withdrawal, you’ll begin participating in individual therapy and group counseling. Therapy helps you overcome addiction by addressing the root causes of substance abuse, helping you develop healthy coping mechanisms, and changing negative patterns of thought or behavior. On the other hand, counseling is helpful for mental health conditions as it can limit symptoms, teach you emotional regulation skills, and help you recover from underlying trauma.
During treatment for co-occurring disorders in Palm City, evidence-based therapies are used. This means the therapy you engage in will be proven effective in managing addiction or the mental health disorder you suffer from.
Medication Management
Some mental health conditions require daily medication. For example, some symptoms of bipolar disorder (like manic episodes) require medications to go away. Medication is necessary because the symptoms of mania are caused by chemical imbalances in the brain.
Because you are in recovery from addiction, you will not be given any medications that are known to be habit-forming. For instance, SSRIs will be used instead of benzodiazepines to treat anxiety disorders. Additionally, non-stimulant medications are used to treat ADHD when possible.
Relapse Prevention and Aftercare
Before you leave dual diagnosis treatment, you will engage in relapse prevention planning. You will identify potential triggers or risk factors for relapse and develop healthy coping mechanisms to stay sober. You might also create a plan of action to use in case you experience a relapse in the future.
Another important part of relapse prevention is aftercare, which keeps you connected with recovery once you leave treatment. Aftercare services might include:
- Continued therapy
- Medication management
- Access to an alumni support group
- Referrals to outpatient or sober living programs
- Recommendations on local support groups like 12-step meetings
- Case management services like vocational training and other life skills assistance
Get Connected to a Top-Rated Dual Diagnosis Rehab in Palm City
If you or a loved one suffers from mental health and substance abuse, it’s time to seek help. Co-occurring disorder treatment in Palm City can help you recover from your substance use and mental health condition at the same time. At Palm City Wellness, we offer evidence-based and individualized dual diagnosis treatment.
At Palm City Wellness, we understand that mental health is the key to achieving overall well-being and sobriety from drugs and alcohol. We are dedicated to providing compassionate care and effective treatment to individuals seeking support for their mental health and addiction-related challenges. Our multidisciplinary team of mental health and substance abuse professionals is qualified to treat a range of complex mental health conditions and co-occurring disorders.
Contact us today to learn more about how treatment for co-occurring disorders works in Palm City.
References:
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Co-Occurring Disorders and Other Health Conditions