A co-occurring disorder, sometimes referred to as a dual diagnosis, is when a person is suffering from both a substance use disorder and a mental health condition. According to recent research, more than 9 million adults in the United States are affected by co-occurring disorders. At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we are committed to helping you overcome both your addiction and mental health disorder with our treatment program for co-occurring issues. Our treatment approach is focused on long-term recovery. For more information about our mental health treatment center in Thornton, CO, or to learn about our medication-assisted approach to addiction treatment, contact Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery today.
Who Needs a Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program?
At our dual diagnosis treatment center in Thornton, CO, we are focused on treating the underlying causes behind your substance abuse. In order to successfully treat a drug addiction, it is necessary to also treat any co-occurring mental health condition.
In some cases, the mental health condition may pre-date your addiction. Maybe you began using drugs to combat the symptoms of depression or anxiety. Sadly, that drug use quickly spiraled into addiction. In other cases, your drug use may have caused a mental health disorder. Specific drugs can change the chemistry of the brain, which disrupts the routine functions of the neurotransmitters, such as dopamine. This reaction sometimes results in mental health conditions.
While you may think that using substances helps to control the symptoms of a mental health condition, in reality, it’s doing the opposite. Substance abuse leads to decreased levels of serotonin, which, in turn, can lead to worsening depression.
The signs that you need a dual diagnosis treatment program may not be obvious at first. However, there are some routine signals that can indicate that you or a loved one needs dual diagnosis treatment. These symptoms include:
- Lower performance at work or at school
- Behavior that has become increasingly secretive
- Changes in sleep patterns or appetite
- Impairment of coordination
- Slurred speech
- Problems in relationships, finances, or with the law, due to substance use
- Feelings of anxiety, fear, or paranoia
- Mood swings
None of these symptoms taken by themselves are indications of mental illness and addiction. However, if you see multiple symptoms over the course of several weeks or months, the time to act is now. If you don’t act, the mental health disorder and addiction could get increasingly worse.
What Does CMAR’s Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program Treat?
Some of our dual diagnosis treatment options include:
