What is dual diagnosis treatment? It is a form of treatment in which a therapist identifies and treats a co-occurring addiction and mental disorder. Individuals with multiple disorders require an integrated form of care that addresses both conditions at the same time. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), over 40 percent of individuals have some form of co-occurring disorders.
A dual diagnosis treatment program provides individualized treatment plans to help those who suffer from multiple conditions. A person can get a more well-rounded form of care so that they have a lesser chance of relapsing. What is dual diagnosis treatment? Get the answers you need when you speak with a treatment specialist at 833.448.0127 today.
What is Dual Diagnosis Treatment?
Many people who are treated for addiction will relapse because the focus is often on the addiction and not the underlying causes. For instance, a person may suffer from bipolar disorder, which triggers the addiction. However, they may go through a treatment program without getting help for their addiction.
Once they leave rehab, the symptoms of bipolar disorder such as the highs and lows may trigger their desire to drink or do drugs. They may give in to the craving, as impulse behavior is a common symptom of bipolar disorder. As a result, the vicious cycle continues, and they fall back into addiction. Through dual diagnosis, they would receive a full assessment and treatment for both bipolar disorder and their addiction.
Common Mental Disorders Associated with Addiction
Certain mental health issues are associated with addiction more than others. Oftentimes, these disorders are the underlying cause of substance abuse. The disorders may include:
- Attention deficit hyperactive disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Borderline personality disorder
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Other disorders may include eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or schizophrenia. Dealing with these disorders can be difficult for a person who is not equipped to manage the symptoms. This is why drugs or alcohol can become a fixation that leads to a full-blown dependency.
The Relationship Between Mental Disorders and Addiction
The role of an addiction treatment center in Colorado is to identify the correlation between the disorder and the addiction and provide the right treatment plan. In most cases, the relationship takes on one of three characteristics, including:
The Mental Disorder Triggers the Addiction
Most people are not equipped to deal with a mental disorder. Consequently, they develop behaviors to deal with the symptoms. A person who has anxiety or depression may turn to alcohol, prescription medication, or illicit drugs as a way of self-medicating. This can lead to dependency on the substance, making it difficult to quit.
The Addiction Causes the Mental Disorder
In cases of long-term addiction, a person may develop a disorder. The substance alters brain function to the point that it affects how a person thinks and feels. It is not uncommon for ongoing substance abuse to lead to anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder. A person who suffers from these conditions needs treatment for them, as well as the addiction.
They Exist Simultaneously with No Relationship
In some cases, a mental disorder may exist independently alongside the addiction. There may be no relationship between the two. A specialist may integrate several types of addiction treatment therapies to handle each condition. This treatment allows the person heals in all areas of their life, not just the addiction.
Learn More About Dual Diagnosis at CMAR
What is dual diagnosis treatment? Learn more about co-occurring disorders when you contact Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery. We provide dual diagnosis treatment at our mental health treatment center in Colorado. Call 833.448.0127 to find out more about your treatment options.
