Substance abuse and mental health problems often feed off each other. People who feel low, anxious, or stressed are inclined to seek temporary relief, and when they turn to substances or alcohol as an easy escape, it only makes everything worse. This creates a destructive cycle that is often hard to break.
According to a 2019 NSDUH report, over 9.5 million U.S. adults were dually diagnosed. It’s no longer enough to just address the symptoms of substance abuse. Mental health care is now a crucial part of long-term recovery.
What is Dual Diagnosis?
Dual Diagnosis is the term used to describe the co-occurrence of both Substance Use Disorder and mental health conditions. It’s also referred to as co-occurring disorder or co-morbidity. Some of the most common mental health issues that overlap with SUD include anxiety, depression, and personality disorders.
If these mental health disorders are left untreated, it only perpetuates the cycle of substance abuse and even worsens the problem. Dual diagnosis treatment involves treating both substance abuse and mental health disorders at the same time. Addressing the underlying problem is the most effective way to ensure long-term sobriety.
The Importance of Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Dual diagnosis treatment ensures a holistic approach to SUD recovery. This way, all underlying factors that drive an individual’s behavior are carefully taken into account. This integrated approach works because of the following factors:
● Highly comprehensive and individualized
Dual diagnosis treatment plans are tailored to the individual’s unique circumstances. At Positive Sobriety Institute, we conduct in-depth psychiatric evaluations to uncover mental health factors influencing substance use. This allows us to create comprehensive and individualized dual diagnosis treatment that can support recovery from every angle.
● Effective relapse prevention
If co-occurring conditions are not addressed simultaneously, patients will remain vulnerable to the emotional triggers that led them to substance use. This undermines their recovery efforts and the core problems will just continue to fester beneath the surface, increasing the risk of relapse. Dual diagnosis treatment can lay the foundation for lasting recovery, giving recovering individuals the tools they need to manage stress, triggers, and emotional challenges.
● Improved Outcomes
Dual diagnosis treatment can end the vicious cycle of substance abuse and mental health symptoms. Patients are taught how to make healthier choices, navigate their emotions, and build up resilience that can make recovery more lasting and sustainable. Instead of relying on substances as a way to cope, they’ll learn how to manage life’s ups and downs in healthier ways.
How Does Dual Diagnosis Treatment Work?
Dual diagnosis treatment looks at the whole person. It’s a therapy for the mind, body, and spirit. The goal is to help individuals feel more in control of their recovery. To do this, the following comprehensive strategies are employed:
1. Evidence-based Therapies
Emotional dysregulation and distressing thoughts are very common among those who are dually diagnosed. Evidence-based therapies like Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI) can help them reframe their way of thinking, develop their distress tolerance, and ultimately foster their readiness for real change.
2. Medication Management
Medication can be necessary to stabilize and address withdrawal symptoms, cravings, and mental health conditions. Individuals with dual diagnosis may be too overwhelmed by emotional challenges to focus on therapy and recovery activities. Medication management can significantly enhance the effectiveness of dual diagnosis treatment.
3. Peer Support and Community
Building a support network is a vital part of dual diagnosis treatment. It’s easy to feel misunderstood and isolated during recovery, and peer support as well as family involvement can make the process feel less daunting.
At PSI, we incorporate community-building strategies into our dual diagnosis treatment in the form of:
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Individual therapy
- Skill-building workshops
- Mindfulness groups
- Community engagement activities
In the end, recovery is a shared experience, and when people find the right support and community, they rediscover their strength and sense of belonging, which are incredibly valuable in their journey.
4. Aftercare Planning
It’s important to sustain all the progress made by developing a solid aftercare plan. The real world is full of stressors and triggers; ongoing support can make all the difference. It helps individuals stay accountable and capable of maintaining recovery. At PSI, we provide a robust aftercare program and set-up each client with a tailored plan and resources. Recovery is not linear, and it requires ongoing effort to watch out for emerging challenges and address them before they escalate.
Get Dual Diagnosis Treatment for Lasting Sobriety
At Positive Sobriety Institute, we understand the intertwined nature of mental health and substance use disorders. Our goal is to create tailored and holistic dual diagnosis treatment plans that can help our patients develop healthier coping strategies and reclaim their lives.
Get the personalized care you deserve. Contact us to learn more about our comprehensive dual diagnosis treatment.
