Many individuals managing substance use disorders are also living with co-occurring mental health diagnoses. Certain mental health and substance use disorders are commonly linked, which requires coordinated treatment. Learn how these diagnoses overlap and how individuals pursuing recovery can access dual treatment in Utah.
Shared Risks and Symptoms Overlap
The high prevalence of dual diagnosis can make identifying root issues challenging. On the outside, irritability may be a sign of withdrawal, depression, or simply being tired. However, shared risk factors like trauma, genetic predisposition, and chronic stress can contribute to the severity of addiction and symptoms.
Dual diagnosis treatment centers in Utah are uniquely suited to address these co-occurring issues. Staffed with experts qualified to diagnose mental health issues and addiction, patients can get targeted support. This way, treatment plans can involve supporting baseline mental health, understanding, effective treatment methods, and safe medication combinations.
How Dual Diagnoses Magnify Issues
Substance abuse worsens mental health and mental health drives substance use. While not a rule, it is very likely that if an individual is experiencing one issue, others are more likely.
Living with mental health disorders can lead people to self-medicate. Many times, this is because they don’t understand that they’re dealing with a mental health issue. All they know is that when they drink alcohol or use drugs, their symptoms decrease.
Many people attempt to manage anxiety, repress trauma, or deal with mood swings while living with untreated mental health issues. Unfortunately, substance abuse worsens mental health long-term. Substances like alcohol and stimulants can trigger and intensify the same feelings the user wants to repress.
Without treatment, diagnoses like depression or anxiety can trigger relapse instances. Similarly, ongoing substance use can render therapy and medication ineffective, even back sliding progress.
Dual diagnosis increases the risk of long-term addiction and the potential for housing insecurity, physical illnesses, incarceration, and even suicide. Managing multiple diagnoses can feel hopeless, but compassionate, qualified, and caring addiction experts are ready to help.
Treatment Options for Co-Occurring Conditions
Integrated treatment for dual diagnosis requires thorough evaluations from well-trained providers. With expertise in psychiatry, counseling, therapy, and addiction medicine, specialized programs combine mental health and substance use treatment.
Integrated Dual Diagnosis Treatment- Integrated treatment combines the best of case management, therapy, psychiatric care, and substance abuse counseling into a holistic plan. Integrated dual diagnosis treatment is evidence-based and is recommended as the gold standard for treatment.
With this approach, patients and their addictions and mental health issues are a package deal for treatment. Diagnoses aren’t separated in their lived experience, and in an integrated treatment plan, they are viewed and managed together.
Psychotherapy- Therapy is an essential part of managing overall mental wellness and as part of anxiety and substance abuse treatment. In managing multiple diagnoses, several therapy types may be utilized.
Cognitive behavioral therapy identifies links between one’s thoughts and behaviors, and how they materialize in life. This may be through substance use, negative behaviors, and how they experience the world.
Motivational interviewing can help individuals find personal reasons to pursue recovery and do the hard work in battling their addiction. In cases where trauma is a key driver and one’s diagnoses, trauma-informed therapies like EMDR can help. These therapies help people face their traumas and identify a path forward.
Medication-Assisted Treatment- Medications with close supervision from medical experts can decrease the temptation and chemical urge to use. In-office and self-administered medications have been proven to deter relapse and make substance use unattractive. Some medications cause users to become violently ill, which can deter use and have off-putting consequences if challenged.
Mental health treatment can involve medication to stabilize mood. Individuals managing treatment for multiple issues should have close medical supervision, and frequent check-ins. All medications should be analyzed for potential interactions and dosages should be managed for individual conditions.
Peer Support Groups- Support groups can be a lifeline for individuals in treatment and recovery. Groups of people also managing dual conditions understand what it’s like with complex treatments and experiences.
Traditional groups can help, but those composed of people on similar journeys are ideal. Even if conversations and experiences are more social, just knowing that you’re not alone can support long-term recovery.
Lifestyle Support- On the other side of rehab, individuals need new skills to support recovery. Coping skills to manage stress and temptation are essential for long-term success, as is supported housing and employment.
Counseling can help individuals rebuild their lives and maintain productive routines. By combining evidence-based practices into their recovery and a new baseline lifestyle, long-term healing can occur.
Holistic Treatment Offers Hope
Living with dual diagnoses can make recovery seem daunting, but with coordinated, proven, and targeted treatment, recovery is possible. As you explore treatment options, focus on facilities with expertise in dual diagnosis care. Experts know that addressing both mental health and substance use issues is critical for healing and long-term success.
The journey to recovery may take more time, but know that recovery is possible — Individuals who’ve experienced dual treatment care have the tools, coping skills, and support network for long-term success in recovery.
