Overcoming a substance abuse or mental disorder may be the most difficult challenge a person ever faces. It is made even greater when a patient faces both at the same time. This condition is known as dual diagnosis. Dual diagnosis treatment should be led by specialists who are expert at diagnosing it and designing effective treatment regimens to overcome it. Sovereign Health of Texas is one of the nation’s top dual diagnosis treatment centers offering hope and recovery to patients struggling with this condition.
What Is Dual Diagnosis?
The term “dual diagnosis” is used to describe a situation where a patient is experiencing both a mental illness and a substance abuse problem at the same time. These are also referred to as co-occurring conditions. The National Institute on Mental Health (NAMI) estimates that about a third of all people experiencing mental illnesses and about half of people living with severe mental illnesses also experience substance abuse. Approximately a third of all of those who abuse alcohol and more than half of all people who abuse drugs report experiencing a mental illness, according to NAMI.
In cases of dual diagnosis one condition may generate and exacerbate the other. For example, alcohol is a depressant and its abuse may bring on clinical depression. In other cases a person may try to treat the pain generated by a mental illness with drugs or alcohol. Over time they may become addicted to the abused substance.
In order to recognize the possibility that one may be a dual diagnosis patient they need to recognize the symptoms of both substance abuse and mental illness. The Mayo Clinic indentifies the following as symptoms of drug addiction:
Feeling that you have to use the drug regularly — this can be daily or even several times a day
Having intense urges for the drug
Over time, needing more of the drug to get the same effect
Making certain that you maintain a supply of the drug
Spending money on the drug, even though you can’t afford it
Not meeting obligations and work responsibilities, or cutting back on social or recreational activities because of drug use
Doing things to get the drug that you normally wouldn’t do, such as stealing
Driving or doing other risky activities when you’re under the influence of the drug
Focusing more and more time and energy on getting and using the drug
Symptoms of mental illness vary depending on the condition. According to the Mayo Clinic they may include:
Marked changes in personality, eating or sleeping patterns
An inability to cope with problems or daily activities
Strange or grandiose ideas
Excessive anxiety
Prolonged depression or apathy
Thinking or talking about suicide
Substance abuse
Extreme mood swings or excessive anger, hostility or violent behavior
These symptoms, alone or in combination, may indicate the need for dual diagnosis treatment.
What is Dual Diagnosis Treatment?
In order to provide proper dual diagnosis treatment it is vital to treat all the patient’s co-occurring conditions. Focusing on only one of the conditions may keep the patient from achieving long-lasting recovery. For example, a patient may be treated for substance abuse. But if there is an untreated, underlying mental health disorder he may start abusing drugs again to alleviate the pain. Therefore, the focus of dual diagnosis rehabilitation is the treatment co-occurring conditions at the same time.
At our dual diagnosis treatment centers, rehabilitation begins with a comprehensive physical and psychological examination. This enables us to identify the patient’s symptoms and diagnose their root causes. Our staff then designs the most effective treatment approach. We are dedicated to meeting each patient’s unique needs and circumstances by providing personalized treatment plans tailored to his or her specific needs. We know that this provides the patient with the best chance for long-lasting recovery.
Our treatment team is staffed by dedicated and compassionate professionals including physicians, psychiatrists, psychotherapists and counselors whose mission is to provide patients with the best possible treatment for dual diagnosis recovery. Our staff’s vast experience in providing dual diagnosis rehab allows them to treat an extensive array of illnesses and conditions.
We offer medically assisted detox and a range of other evidence-based treatments and therapies. Patients are treated at various levels of care that include residential treatment, a partial hospitalization program and intensive outpatient therapy.
Texas dual diagnosis treatment prides itself on being one of the best dual diagnosis treatment centers in the country. If you think that you or someone you care about may be in need of dual diagnosis recovery don’t hesitate to contact us through our 24/7 helpline.