What is Dual Diagnosis?
Dual diagnosis, or a co-occurring disorder, is when a person has a mental health condition and a substance use disorder together. These conditions often interact with one another, making treatment more challenging. For instance, someone with depression may use alcohol or drugs to cope with their feelings. This self-medication can worsen their mental health over time, creating a harmful cycle.
Our center provides addiction treatment that addresses both issues at once with an integrated plan. This plan includes therapy, medication, and wellness support to help people build a lasting recovery. By treating both conditions together, we assist people in finding balance and improving their mental health and sobriety.
What Influences Dual Diagnosis Conditions?
Several factors can increase a person’s risk of developing both mental health and substance use disorders at the same time, including:
- Genetics: A family history of mental health or addictive disorders is a key risk factor. For example, people with relatives who have depression, anxiety, or schizophrenia may be more likely to develop a substance use disorder.
- Environmental Factors: Experiences like trauma, chronic stress, or abuse can increase the risk for both addiction and mental health conditions. Unstable homes or poverty are stressful environments that can also contribute to co-occurring disorders.
- Brain Chemistry: Imbalances in brain chemicals, such as dopamine and serotonin, can impact both mental health and substance use. Drug or alcohol abuse may alter brain chemistry, which can trigger or worsen a mental illness.
- Self-Medication: Some people with untreated mental health issues use drugs or alcohol to cope with symptoms like anxiety or depression. Although this may provide temporary relief, it often worsens the underlying condition and can lead to addiction.
- Chronic Stress: Lasting stress from personal, professional, or social issues increases the risk of both mental health and substance abuse problems. Some people use substances to cope with this stress, which can trigger mental health issues and lead to addiction.
- Co-occurring Trauma: Experiencing traumatic events like abuse, combat, or a major loss raises the risk for PTSD and other mental health conditions. To numb the pain, substances are often used, which makes a dual diagnosis more likely to develop.
Our skilled treatment team uses an integrated approach to identify and address the unique factors behind each person’s dual diagnosis. This process ensures both the substance use and mental health conditions are treated together for better long-term outcomes.
Common Symptoms of Dual Diagnosis [Addiction & a Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorder]
Recognizing the signs of substance use and mental health issues is key for effective dual diagnosis treatment. While common symptoms vary depending on the conditions and substances, certain key signs may indicate a person has both:
- Mood Changes: Frequent mood shifts are a common sign of a dual diagnosis, ranging from the highs of bipolar disorder to the lasting sadness of depression. A person might also show sudden anger, which substance use often makes worse.
- Difficulty Concentrating: Conditions like anxiety, depression, and ADHD can make it difficult to focus or make decisions, a problem often worsened by substance abuse. This lack of concentration may interfere with daily tasks and duties at work or home.
- Increased Substance Use: A noticeable increase in drug or alcohol use is a clear sign of dual diagnosis, as substances are often used to cope with mental health symptoms. For instance, anxiety may lead to heavy drinking, while depression might lead to drug use to numb pain.
- Withdrawal Symptoms: A person with a dual diagnosis may experience physical or emotional withdrawal when not using a substance. Symptoms like anxiety, mood swings, or depression can appear, reinforcing the need to keep using.
- Social Isolation: People with a dual diagnosis may withdraw from social activities, friends, and hobbies they once enjoyed. This isolation can stem from their mental health condition, like depression, or from shame about their substance abuse.
- Impulsive Behaviors: Another sign is engaging in risky actions without thinking of the outcome. This can include unsafe driving, reckless spending, or risky sexual acts, which are often made worse by drugs or alcohol.
- Physical Health Issues: A dual diagnosis can also affect physical health, as substance abuse may cause weight loss, sleep issues, and fatigue. When combined with the physical symptoms of mental illness, these issues can significantly harm a person’s overall well-being.
Our treatment center near Los Angeles understands that addressing both substance use and mental health is vital for long-term recovery. Our integrated plan treats both conditions at once, whether it’s depression, bipolar disorder, or anxiety. This complete approach is the most effective way to support lasting sobriety and mental wellness.
If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use disorder, contact us to speak with a caring intake specialist.
Overview of Treatment Approaches for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Disorders
Effective dual diagnosis treatment requires an integrated approach that addresses both issues at once. At PH Wellness, we create a complete, personal plan to ensure both conditions are treated effectively. Some of the common methods we use are listed below:
- Comprehensive Assessment: Treatment begins with a full review by our mental health and addiction specialists. This evaluation helps us understand a person’s unique challenges and create a personal treatment plan for both their addiction and mental health disorder.
- Integrated Therapy: Using proven therapies that treat both disorders at once is a key part of our approach. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people identify and reframe negative thought patterns that contribute to addiction and mental health issues. Other therapies, such as DBT and trauma therapy, can also be included based on a person’s unique needs.
- Support Groups for Dual Diagnosis Substance Abuse: The community provides valuable support for dual diagnosis recovery. Groups such as AA, NA, and NAMI offer a safe space for people to share their experiences. These groups help people connect with others facing similar challenges, building a sense of community during recovery.
- Medication Management: Medication can be a key part of dual diagnosis treatment, particularly for mental health issues like depression or anxiety. It may be used to help stabilize mood or reduce cravings. Our medical team carefully monitors all medication to manage symptoms effectively and prevent side effects.
- Holistic Treatment and Wellness-Focused Approach: We also use wellness practices like mindfulness, yoga, fitness, and nutrition counseling. These holistic approaches support a person’s overall health, improving physical and mental well-being to support a lasting recovery.
If you or someone you love needs help in the Los Angeles area, our center provides the specialized care needed to manage a dual diagnosis. Our team is dedicated to treating the mind, body, and spirit for a full recovery. We are here to guide you on the path to lasting wellness.
Dual Diagnosis Addiction Treatment Programs in Riverside, CA
Our dual diagnosis treatment in Riverside, CA, includes various services designed to address co-occurring disorders at the same time. Our facility offers the following programs:
Alcohol and Drug Detox
As the first step for many, detox focuses on safely managing withdrawal symptoms under medical supervision while substances leave the body. This process is important for stabilizing a person physically and preparing them for continued therapy.
Residential Treatment for Dual Diagnosis Disorders
Our live-in treatment programs offer intensive care for addiction and mental health in a supportive environment. This setting allows people to focus fully on their recovery without distractions from the outside world.
Inpatient rehab is helpful for those with severe co-occurring disorders, as it provides access to full services like individual and group therapy. These live-in programs also build a sense of community where people can form connections and learn key life skills.
Dual Diagnosis Outpatient Treatment Programs
Outpatient treatment offers flexibility for work and family while still providing structured support. These programs for dual diagnosis include therapy, educational resources, and group meetings.
This approach allows a person to get help for mental illness and addiction while managing daily responsibilities and practicing new skills. Outpatient programs can be an excellent option for continued support after a more intensive level of care.
Aftercare for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Challenges
Aftercare is essential for a lasting recovery from co-occurring disorders once a formal treatment program is complete. These services often include continued therapy, support groups, and relapse prevention planning.
This ongoing support helps people transition back to their daily lives by applying the coping skills learned in treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Some Examples of Dual Diagnoses?
There are many examples of co-occurring mental health conditions that dual diagnosis patients might experience. Examples of common co-occurring disorders might include the following:
- Anxiety disorders and stimulant abuse
- Anxiety disorders and prescription drug addiction
- Bipolar disorder or other mood disorders and alcohol addiction
- Borderline personality disorder and a substance use disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder and opioid addiction
- Eating disorders and a substance use disorder
- Psychotic disorders with alcohol or drug abuse
- Personality disorders and opioid addiction
These are just a few examples of common mental health issues that can co-occur with a substance use disorder. Whether you’re dealing with one of these or another issue – like obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, or personality disorders – we can help. At pH Wellness, we treat addiction and common co-occurring disorders and will do whatever it takes to ensure you get the help you deserve.
What Should I Look for in California Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers?
When searching for a dual diagnosis treatment center, you should look for facilities that utilize evidence-based therapies recognized for their effectiveness in treating co-occurring disorders. The staff at dual diagnosis treatment centers should include medical professionals and therapists trained in dual diagnosis.
Does Insurance Cover Dual Diagnosis Rehab?
Health insurance plans often include coverage for dual diagnosis treatment, but the extent and type of coverage can vary greatly depending on the specific insurance policy.
Some plans may cover all aspects of mental health and addiction treatment, including therapy and medication for mental disorders, while others might only cover parts of the mental illness and addiction treatment.
Patients or their caregivers should contact their insurance provider for detailed information about what is covered regarding California dual diagnosis treatment centers, any potential co-pays, and whether the chosen California dual diagnosis treatment center is within their network to ensure maximum coverage.
You can also contact pH Wellness to verify your insurance. We will let you know if it covers our co-occurring disorder treatment services.
What Types of Therapies Are Used at Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Centers in California?
Dual diagnosis programs typically use many different therapeutic approaches to address both mental health conditions and substance use disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is commonly used to help patients understand the thoughts and feelings that influence behaviors, while dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) teaches coping skills to manage stress and regulate emotions.
Medication-assisted treatment may be used to help manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms from drug and alcohol abuse. Medications can also be used to treat any underlying mental health disorder.
Additionally, individual therapy provides a safe space for patients to process their mental health and addiction recovery journey, and group therapy offers peer support and the opportunity to learn from the experiences of others facing similar challenges. Family therapy is also sometimes used in mental health and drug rehab. These therapies are combined to create a comprehensive treatment plan that promotes sustainable recovery.
