Dual Diagnosis Treatment for Gainesville Residents
What Is Dual Diagnosis Treatment?
A dual diagnosis is a common issue in which a person with a substance use disorder also has a co-occurring mental health condition. Nearly 8.4 million Americans are currently dealing with a mental health issue and addiction, according to the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Dual diagnosis treatment involves a comprehensive, integrated plan to get to the root of the issues. These issues are often interconnected, with the exact underlying causes, making the simultaneous treatment of both conditions the most effective means of sustaining long-term recovery.
Common Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders
Some of the most common co-occurring mental health disorders with addiction are:
- Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Depression
- Eating disorders
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Obsessive compulsive disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Schizophrenia
The Connection Between Mental Health and Addiction
According to a National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) study, people with severe mental illnesses are four times as likely to become heavy alcohol users. Undiagnosed and untreated psychiatric conditions may cause a person to try and self-medicate, using drugs and alcohol to cope with their physical and psychological conditions. Substance use in this way can induce addiction and make the symptoms and the underlying condition worse, preventing the development of healthy coping mechanisms.
Substance abuse may also prevent the cultivation of satisfying relationships with others and stop the patient from feeling comfortable being themselves without the substance. It can also become an unending cycle of abuse, as these problems then trigger the use of more substances, which can lead to a physical dependency. People who use substances to drown out mental health issues will consume as much as it takes, causing an increased tolerance, leading to full-blown addiction.
Substance abuse can also trigger latent mental illnesses in some patients and certain drugs, including alcohol, can interfere with prescription medications.
Other issues that can aggravate a mental health condition and substance use disorder include:
- Genetics
- Brain responses
- Environmental triggers
- Exposure to substances at a young age
Signs of a Dual Diagnosis
Some signs that a dual diagnosis treatment is required alongside addiction include:
- Poor performance at school or work
- Refusal to seek or comply with treatment
- Difficulty managing day-to-day responsibilities like hygiene, health, finances, and everyday tasks
- Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
- Delusional thinking
- Cognitive issues
- Erratic and impulsive behaviors
- Social isolation, withdrawal from society, decline in relationship quality
- Physical symptoms like irregular heartbeat, sleeping issues, shaky hands, sweaty palms, chest pain, and dizziness
- Depression or baseless anxiety, dread, and fear
Dual Diagnosis Treatment at WhiteSands
WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab’s dual diagnosis program for residents of Gainesville is a safe and effective treatment plan for anybody suffering from a substance use disorder combined with a mental health issue. When you first enter our facility, our professional team will provide you with a full screening to learn about your level of addiction and your mental and physical health. We will then create a fully customized program to help you detox and rehabilitate from the substance abuse and heal your psychological issues through therapy, counseling, physical health care, medications (if necessary), and holistic treatments.
The treatment program available for Gainesville community members will be designed to work with your specific needs, taking your preferences and personality into consideration. We can include couples or family therapy to help you rebuild damaged relationships and help your loved ones provide the support you need.
We will keep you safe and healthy as you recover from addiction and get to the root of your dual diagnosis issues in our integrated program. Through professional treatments, continued support, and a comprehensive continuum of care, including a long-term aftercare program, we will help you gain new coping skills and take control back over your life. Contact us today to learn more.
If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.
About the Author
Jackie has been involved in the substance abuse and addiction treatment sector for over five years and this is something that she is truly eager about. She has a passion for writing and continuously works to create informative pieces that not only educate and inform the public about the disease of addiction but also provide solutions for those who struggle with drug and alcohol abuse.