*Whether you’re a fan of Demi Lovato or not, there’s something everyone can learn from her struggle with addiction. Getting clean and staying clean is tough.
It’s even more challenging if you’re also struggling with mental illness, as is the case with Lovato. She was diagnosed with bipolar depression in 2011. In clinical practice, this is known as dual diagnosis, which affects 9.2 million adults in the US.
Now, if you or a loved one has a dual diagnosis, it’s important to know that without proper treatment, it can complicate recovery. Here, we’ll talk about dual diagnosis treatments and how they differ from traditional rehab protocols.
1. Medical Detox Is Only the First Step
There are cases where substance abuse causes mental health effects. For most patients that have dual diagnosis though, it’s usually the mental health condition that comes first.
This is why medical detox isn’t enough for addictions complicated by a co-occurring mental illness. After professional medical detox, there’s a need for mental health counseling and other related therapies to address underlying mental and emotional issues.
2. Dual Diagnosis Treatments Take Time and Patience
A dual diagnosis treatment that offers shortcuts isn’t going to be effective. Every patient will recover at his or her own pace.
Plus, you have to remember that symptoms are often more extreme and persistent in patients with a dual diagnosis. Specialized care and not quick solutions, is the key to treatment and recovery.
3. Finding the Right Facility Is a Must
Though there are many centers that label themselves as a dual diagnosis treatment facility, you need to be sure if they are using evidence-based therapies.
Keep in mind that dual diagnosis treatments are a fairly new approach. If you’re looking for dual diagnosis treatment information and centers that can provide them, consider diving deeper into your research.
4. Effective Dual Diagnosis Treatments Address Both Mental Illness and Substance Use Together
Before true dual diagnosis treatment, the typical approach was to treat substance abuse first before sending the patient to receive mental health help. This is problematic, especially if the mental health condition predates the substance abuse issues.
The best dual diagnosis treatment centers will have programs that address both disorders together, with each support team (mental health counseling and addiction treatment) effectively communicating with each other.
5. Dual Diagnosis Treatment Goes Beyond Drugs and Alcohol
Dual diagnosis also covers patients who struggle with other types of addiction. These include addiction to food, sex, gambling, and so on.
As long as these addictions are coupled with a mental health condition, dual diagnosis treatments can help. Don’t hesitate to ask for help if your particular addiction doesn’t involve drugs or alcohol.
Getting Help If You Have Dual Diagnosis
Now that you know more about how co-occurring mental health disorders complicate substance use and other addictions, don’t stop there.
For m
ore information on dual diagnosis treatments, there are tons of resources online that can help. You can also browse our site for more addiction-related articles including how to get the help you need.
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