10 things you should know about dual diagnosis treatment

Sometimes, we find that alcohol or drug addiction is spurred by an underlying psychological disorder. Those with mental illnesses are more susceptible to succumbing to the risks of escalating drug and alcohol use, turning into abuse quickly and without warning.

The availability of facilities and programs dealing with those who have both a mental illness and substance abuse program is crucial to helping and rehabbing these individuals to reintegrate into society.

10 things to know about dual diagnosis treatment

Find the best dual diagnosis treatment center

By finding a trustworthy treatment center in your area, you can get your loved one help. All you have to do is search online to find reputable centers. For example, in California, searching for a drug and alcohol treatment center online comes up with The Edge Treatment Center, an addiction rehab center committed to helping individuals find long-term solutions to their abuse problems.

Comes in many forms

Dual diagnosis comes in many sizes, shapes, and forms, avoiding a “one-size-fits-all” mentality. Any combination of mental illnesses coupled with personality disorders, like anxiety and bipolar disorder, can qualify a person as a dual diagnosis patient. No two people react to illnesses the same, so the possibilities of dual diagnosis treatment are infinite.

Difficult to treat

Since the professionals will be dealing with two strong and separate illnesses, curing the individual will require extensive resources, time, energy, and patience. There is no way to know if one illness is caused by addiction or the other disorder, meaning there will be a lot of guesswork and trial and error in dual diagnosis treatment.

High-risk patients

Those with dual diagnoses are high-risk due to the combination of dealing with mental illnesses, personality disorder, and addiction.

Susceptibility to addiction

Those with mental illnesses are at a higher risk to succumb to the dangers of addiction. If someone has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder or depression, these individuals are more likely to escalate in terms of drinking and drug use.

Many drug rehab facilities are not equipped for these patients

Dual diagnosis treatment is time-consuming and requires extensive knowledge of personality disorders and mental illnesses. Many drug rehab programs and treatment facilities are not equipped to deal with patients who have dual diagnoses.

It may take longer to complete

There is no easy fix for any type of illness or addiction, with many patients requiring multiple-step programs and outpatient resources. However, with dual diagnosis treatment, the recovery process can be even more time-consuming.

Move at a comfortable speed

Dual diagnosis treatment should not be shoving recovery methods down anyone’s throat. One of the most important qualities of a treatment program is the ability to go at the patient’s pace, no matter how slow it may seem to the professional.

Dual diagnoses patients are not rare

You may think that dual diagnosis treatment is rarely used. However, those with dual diagnoses are more common than you may think – studies have shown that nearly $50% of those with drug or alcohol addiction also have some type of mental illness or personality disorder coupled with the addictive personality.

Don’t give up

The final step in dual diagnosis treatment is not giving up. The process is tiring, time-consuming, and can seem hopeless, but everyone can find a solution that works for them.

Conclusion

Treating a dual diagnosed patient can be tough. It requires resources, trained professionals, and a committed dual diagnosis treatment center that has the capabilities of providing recovery options for those with mental illnesses and addiction issues.