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There are many strange and confusing terms for those suffering from substance use disorder, and it can be difficult to find the appropriate treatment for your needs. Things are even more challenging when you have a co-occurring mental disorder alongside substance use. Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions regarding substance use and a stigma toward people suffering from addiction, which makes getting help more complicated than it should be. At the Science Times, we are dedicated to dispelling myths and educating our readers, so we decided to take a deep dive into this subject. To help you find the best type of treatment, we will explain everything you need to know about dual diagnosis.

What is Dual Diagnosis?

People struggling with substance use disorder often don't know exactly what treatment they need. Most realize they should attend rehab but don't have a deeper understanding of what that entails. The addiction specialists at Archstone Behavioral Health recommend getting help from a specialized treatment facility. Such facilities can give you an accurate diagnosis and suggest an appropriate treatment program.

When individuals undergo the admission process, licensed clinical therapists will asses their physical and mental state. This assessment can determine whether individuals have co-occurring mental disorders besides substance use. In that case, patients are given a dual diagnosis and must be treated accordingly. Addiction psychiatrists can also explain everything you need to know about dual diagnosis and answer all your questions regarding treatment in a rehab facility.

It's never a good idea to attempt to self-diagnose or overcome addiction alone. Remember that substance use disorder is classified as a chronic mental disorder, requiring a personalized treatment plan. Substance use and other mental disorders can affect your brain chemistry, leading to a disruption of dopamine production. If you are struggling with substance use and a co-occurring mental illness, it would be best to reach out to professional addiction psychiatrists.

We should also mention that other mental disorders frequently accompany substance use. These co-occurring disorders typically include depression and anxiety. Sometimes these disorders precede addiction, while in other cases, they present themselves only after addiction has taken hold of an individual. Regardless of what occurred first, these mental disorders can push individuals deeper into the claws of addiction. Therefore, you must seek immediate treatment if you struggle with substance use.

Can You Treat Addiction and a Mental Disorder at the Same Time?

Our understanding of substance use and mental disorders has come a long way since we first started treating addiction. Nowadays, we don't see substance use disorder as a personal failure since we realize environmental and genetic factors cause addiction. Our deeper understanding of substance use's causes and effects on individuals has allowed us to create strong support networks and offer comprehensive resources to affected individuals. Additionally, we've established preventative measures, reducing the risk of developing substance use disorder in the first place.

Unfortunately, we are still witnessing an opioid epidemic in the United States. Substance use is prevalent, and, as it turns out, poor and lower-educated communities are the most affected. Since addiction is a progressive disease, when left untreated, it can cause severe damage to a person's well-being.

Thankfully, through the expertise of addiction psychiatrists, individuals can receive dual diagnosis treatment. In comprehensive treatment programs, patients can attend individual and group therapy sessions. Here patients can develop healthy coping skills allowing them to manage their addiction and achieve long-term sobriety. Group sessions are also an excellent opportunity to learn from the experience of others and start working through your trauma. Licensed therapists can help you identify and deal with addiction triggers and teach you to manage your mental state. Patients who complete their rehab programs are equipped with the skills needed to maintain their sobriety and overall mental state.

How to Find the Right Treatment Program?

Alongside the opioid epidemic, we have also seen an increase in new treatment centers. Sadly, not all are equipped to deal with dual diagnosis patients. Many unlicensed new-age centers don't offer evidence-based treatment and only resort to yoga and meditation to treat substance use. If you want to find the right treatment program, we suggest you contact a legitimate rehab center. You can inquire about their methodology and approach, and remember to ask if they have licensed addiction psychiatrists on staff. Real treatment centers won't shy away from answering your questions. They will be happy to explain everything you need to know about dual diagnosis and how they treat those patients.

What to Expect from Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Before entering any rehab facility, all inbound patients must undergo medical detox. Clinicians may use medically-assisted treatment to help patients overcome their withdrawal symptoms and cravings during this time. Afterward, the true healing process can begin. However, you should note that most treatment centers personalize their programs to fit their patient's needs. Therefore, it's impossible to accurately state what your experience will be like.

Therapists usually develop a timeline for their treatment plan with patients during their individual sessions. A commonly used form of treatment for dual diagnosis is behavioral therapy, which includes CBT, DBT, and EMDR. Through cognitive and dialectical behavioral therapy, patients can understand what led to their addiction and start working through their trauma. Addiction therapists typically give patients skill training and motivational interviews to help patients develop confidence and self-esteem. Sometimes, treatment centers also provide patients with creative workshops and art therapy as a form of non-verbal expression. These alternate forms of therapy allow patients to explore their complex emotions and simultaneously develop a healthy, sober routine.

In Conclusion

If you are currently struggling with substance use disorder, we strongly urge you to seek professional help. Overcoming addiction alone is difficult, primarily due to the intense withdrawal symptoms and cravings affected individuals experience if they attempt to stop using. The situation is even more challenging if you are also experiencing other co-occurring mental disorders. However, if you contact experienced addiction therapists, they can explain everything you need to know about dual diagnosis and help you get the treatment you need.