A dual diagnosis is the co-occurrence of mental health and substance use disorders. It’s also referred to as co-morbidity or co-occurring disorder.
Mental illnesses include depression, anxiety, as well as stress, mood, and bipolar disorders. On the other hand, substance use disorders entail excessive use of alcohol and other addictive substances. Various factors can cause the two conditions to occur together. For example, stress or trauma can trigger mental health problems, hence the reliance on drugs. Moreover, it’s common for people struggling with mental issues to depend on substances like alcohol to feel better. Many may self-medicate to boost moods, numb emotional pain, or be able to sleep.
Generally, the interaction of mental health and substance use disorders presents significant functional and clinical challenges. If left untreated, it can cause either of the conditions to worsen. For example, not dealing with substance addiction can lead to excessive usage, which may, in turn, worsen your mental health issues.
Here’s a guide to dealing with a dual diagnosis:
1: Get A Comprehensive Diagnosis
Getting tested is a crucial step in the process of getting treatment for a co-occurring disorder. This condition is diagnosed through multiple levels of assessment. Healthcare professionals aim to understand the patient better from various perspectives. First, they’ll review your co-occurring disorder symptoms.
The following are some signs and symptoms you may experience if you’re suffering from a co-occurring disorder:
- Suicidal thoughts, attempts, or plans
- Persistent feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness
- Frequent mood changes
- Racing thoughts
- Difficulty maintaining focus
- Irritability
- Confusion
- Variations in normal sleeping patterns
- Engaging in personal or social harm due to excessive substance use
- Increasing tolerance to intoxicating effects of alcohol
- Sudden changes in behavior
- Withdrawal from family and friends
- Inability to function accordingly at school or work
- Avoiding social activities
- Loss of energy
- Appetite and weight changes
- Inability to experience pleasure
Also, doctors may use the following comprehensive procedures to know as much as possible about your coexisting disorder:
- Assessing your history of substance abuse
- Reviewing previous medical diagnoses for mental illness
- Evaluating past mental illness and substance abuse treatments. For instance, whether the previous substance abuse treatment failed due to complications from a mental disorder and vice versa.
- Checking for any previous types of traumas, such as physical and sexual abuse
- Finding out your number of relapses
- Checking if anyone in your family has grappled with a mental disorder or substance abuse
Your doctor will ask questions to gain insight into the above details and make a sound judgment. So, it’s crucial to be open and share as much information as possible. These screenings can also help your doctor establish if special assessments are necessary.
Generally, your healthcare provider will know you’re ready for treatment if your signs and symptoms meet the criteria for a co-occurring disorder. In that case, they’ll recommend a treatment plan that works for you.
2: Find The Right Treatment Program
Dual diagnosis needs an integrated treatment approach that simultaneously addresses both substance use and mental health disorders. This ensures long-term recovery. Reputable treatment facilities like jacksonhouserehab.com offer such solutions.
Notably, when finding a treatment program, asking specific questions about the facility is crucial. It gives you an idea about how the treatment works and if it best suits your needs. Therefore, you’d want to find out whether the facility:
- Is appropriately licensed and accredited
- Has long-term experience with your specific mental health condition. Some dual-diagnosis treatment centers, for example, may treat anxiety and depression but not bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.
- Has a priority treatment plan
- Has a proven or experimental treatment plan
- Offers ongoing supporting programs and activities during treatment
- Has an aftercare program to prevent potential relapse
- Actively involves patients in the decision-making process
- Includes primary education about co-occurring disorders and related problems in their treatment plan
Also, note that around-the-clock treatment programs such as inpatient rehabilitation centers are recommended if you’re battling a severe mental disorder plus heavy substance use. However, outpatient programs can work just fine if you’re dealing with impairments. This way, you can get through your usual daily routine, like going to school or work, while getting treatment.
3: Start Treatment
Once you’ve found a safe facility with a structured and integrated treatment plan to address your problems, you can begin treatment immediately.
Depending on various factors, your treatment for dual diagnosis may include the following:
- Medical Treatment
Dual diagnosis treatment centers have specific medications that can alleviate mental illness symptoms and facilitate substance abuse recovery.
For instance, for addiction, your health provider can consider detoxification. It’s the medicinal removal of toxic substances in the body and can help reduce the amounts of drug substances in your body. Other drug addictions, such as excessive use of opiates, may require medication-assisted treatment (MAT). These medicines can regularize brain activity and alleviate any psychological cravings.
For mental problems, your doctor can prescribe approved mood-stabilizing drugs to relieve mental symptoms such as depression, mood swings, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or hallucinations.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a psychotherapy intervention that focuses on transforming your brain function by changing your thinking and cognitive behavioral patterns. Health professionals believe that thought processes and feelings greatly influence human behavior. So, in CBT sessions, you’re taught the patterns related to dysfunctional behavioral responses and better strategies to cope with each problem. Generally, this type of therapy ensures a balance of mind, subsequently improving interpersonal functioning.
- Individual therapy
Individual therapy is a confidential session between you and your counselor. It’s a safe space to share your experiences and challenges with your therapist without fear of judgment. This way, your therapist can understand your condition better and help you discover healthy habits. Unlike group therapies, individual therapy is more intense as the entire program is tailored to suit your individual needs.
- Group therapy sessions
Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy intervention whereby one or more therapists work with several patients at the same time. It can help you build trust and confidence as you engage with peers who have a common understanding of the problematic experiences of co-occurring disorders. Thus, it increases your determination to learn and implement healthy coping strategies.
- Family therapy
Participating in therapy with your family can significantly aid recovery. Your loved ones provide the motivation you require to get past your condition. In family therapy sessions, your counselor can also help you explore family issues that may be stressing you and might have contributed to your co-occurring disorder. After that, they can recommend effective strategies to help you heal and advise your loved ones on how best to support you.
- Nutritional counseling
Nutritional counseling is another treatment option for dual diagnosis. Excessive substance use and mental disorders can negatively affect your appetite. This prevents you from taking your meals at the levels considered healthy. Thus, nutritional intervention aims to correct negative attitudes toward healthy eating that may delay or hinder recovery.
Depending on your current health condition, the nutrition expert might advise you to increase your intake of protein, vitamins, and other minerals. Food rich in fatty acids, iron, vitamin A, vitamin C, zinc, B vitamins, magnesium, and folate has been linked to better mental health. Also, note that your nutritionist may combine nutritional counseling with motivational therapy to build and boost your commitment to change.
4: Learn Healthier Coping Strategies
In addition to seeking professional integrated treatment, there are self-help strategies you can take to address your co-occurring disorder. That includes learning healthier coping strategies. Below are some tips to consider:
- Know how to manage stress and emotions: Understanding your triggers and having an action plan to cope with the unpleasant feelings is crucial.
- Practice relaxation techniques: One of the most challenging times for dual diagnosis patients is experiencing a trigger when alone and unable to get support. In such cases, relaxation techniques like yoga can help soothe your mind, reduce tension, stress, or anxiety, and divert negative thoughts. By finding inner strength, you’re better positioned to make positive decisions.
- Join a support group or stay involved in therapy: This way, you can share your thoughts and experiences, learn effective recovery tips and embrace a healthy lifestyle. Overall, therapy and support groups can increase your commitment to staying sober.
- Get adequate sleep: Not getting enough sleep can exacerbate mental conditions such as anxiety, stress, and depression. So, aim to get seven to nine hours of quality sleep every night.
- Develop new interests and activities: Embracing new hobbies and meaningful activities, such as volunteering, gives you a sense of purpose, and ultimately, drug abuse will be less appealing.
Additionally, developing meaningful relationships with your friends and family members is vital. Connecting with your loved ones is an ideal way to calm your nervous system, freely discuss your challenges, and get emotional support. This helps you maintain sobriety.
Conclusion
The co-occurrence of mental health and substance use disorders can negatively impact your overall health. Also, dealing with a dual diagnosis on your own can be challenging. Thus, seeking a comprehensive, integrated treatment is necessary. That may include therapy and medications. However, it all starts with a sincere determination to change. So, resolve to cut ties with your substance dependence and embark on a treatment journey to regain your mental fortitude.