Often, you may find that someone who struggles with an addiction is also suffering from a mental illness at the same time.
This type of situation calls for dual diagnosis treatment. Whether it’s something like anxiety or depression, or even things like ADHD or PTSD, we are finding more and more that an addiction and a mental illness can be effectively treated at the same time. So how does a dual diagnosis treatment work, and how do you know if it’s the right path for you to take to recovery? Continue reading today’s blog to learn more.
What is Dual Diagnosis Treatment?
Dual diagnosis treatment is when someone is being treated for addiction recovery and a mental illness at the same time. These challenges occur simultaneously quite frequently, and it’s not uncommon to find someone looking to overcome substance abuse that is also struggling with mental illness. In fact, a recent study found that nearly 9.5 million Americans suffer from both mental illness and substance abuse.
It’s common for mental illness and substance abuse to feed off of one another. Someone will dual diagnosis will find that, over time, they build up a tolerance to substances, making it more and more difficult to self medicate. It’s important to keep an eye out for symptoms so that, should the need arise to be treated for dual diagnosis, it can be taken care of as soon as possible.
Common Mental Health Issues Found with Substance Abuse
So what are some of the common mental health issues that can be accompanied by substance abuse? Both anxiety and depression are both quite common mental health challenges involved with dual diagnosis. Others include ADHD, PTSD, and bipolar disorder. Other personality disorders, such as schizophrenia and borderline personality disorder, attention deficit disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder are frequently found coupled with substance abuse, so it’s essential to take action immediately.
Dangers of Self Medication
Something that is commonly considered with dual diagnosis are the dangers of self medication. It is very common for people to seek a reprieve from life’s struggles and challenges through substances such as alcohol, heroin, etc.
This is even more common for those who struggle with a mental illness – they may find themselves turning to these substances to medicate and combat their mental challenge. This is especially dangerous because, over time, it can lead to addiction and possibly an overdose. This is where dual diagnosis treatment comes in, providing the ability to treat both an addiction and a mental illness at the same time.
Is Dual Diagnosis Treatment Right for Me?
If you or someone you love struggles with a mental illness and is battling an addiction, dual diagnosis treatment is a wonderful option for you. If you only treat the mental illness and not the addiction, or vice versa, it’s possible that you will continue to struggle. Addressing and treating both aspects is the only way to ensure a swift and successful recovery.
Contact Steps Recovery Center
If you find that you or someone you care about has dual diagnosis and is in need of treatment, there’s no better time to act than now. Steps Recovery Center has a variety of treatment options for those with dual diagnosis, each geared toward a specific mental illness. With facilities in Washington County, Utah, Utah County, Utah, and Salt Lake County, Utah, you’ll find that its easy to find a center near you. Contact us today to begin the road to recovery.
