Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Allen, TX
Today, dual diagnosis treatment in Allen addresses both a person's addiction as well as their mental health disorder. Treating both simultaneously is associated with greater likelihood for treatment success.
Also known as a co-occurring disorder, a dual diagnosis is when a person suffers from an addiction to drugs and/or alcohol as well as a mental health disorder. Examples of mental health disorders include depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
According to "Psychology Today," an estimated 7.9 million Americans have a dual diagnosis. Although common, this disorder was commonly misunderstood and often under-treated until more recent research has brought to light important information regarding helping treat those with a dual diagnosis.
There are several unique considerations that must be made at a dual diagnosis treatment center that are different from treating a person who does not have a dual diagnosis. For example, medical experts know that those with a dual diagnosis often ha ve more physical health and emotional problems than those who do not.
Medical professionals also know that the existence of a substance addiction increases the likelihood for mental health complications. Additionally, after a person completes their initial dual diagnosis treatment in Allen, it is important they engage in programs for relapse prevention in Allen. This is because relapsing with a dual diagnosis carries with it the increased risks for psychiatric distress, which can increase the risks for self-harm and suicide. According to "Psychology Today," those with a dual diagnosis:
- Require longer treatment periods to achieve and maintain sobriety
- Will report more crises (acute episodes of mental health symptoms) than those who do not have a dual diagnosis
- Typically progress at a more gradual pace than those who do not have a dual diagnosis.
All of these statistics do not mean that a dual diagnosis can't be treated. However, they do illustrate the importance of seeking a dual diagnosis treatment center that specializes in the services specific to the needs of a person with a dual diagnosis.
The Link Between Dual Diagnosis and Addiction
Many reasons exist as to why a person may suffer from both a mental illness and substance abuse problem. For example, some people use drugs as a means of self-medication for their mental illness.
A common dual diagnosis is that a person with anxiety will abuse Xanax, a benzodiazepine medication used to relieve anxiety. However, Xanax is meant to be a short-term solution to anxiety, not one that is taken excessively or used over a long time period.
In addition to trying to use illegal substances as "medication," sometimes a mental health condition arises as a result of drug and alcohol abuse. For example, long-term alcohol abuse is associated with greater risk for depression.
Whatever the reasons a person turns to substance abuse, researchers know that substance abuse is never the answer or a good treatment for mental health disorders. Substance abuse may seem like a very temporary solution to mental health disorders that are often a long-term problem. To help a person get both conditions under control, they should seek dual diagnosis treatment in Allen.
Types of Mental Health Disorders
A dual diagnosis can mean a person suffers from a variety of mental health disorders in combination with substance abuse. Some mental health disorders, such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, can be severe and debilitating for a person who isn't taking the appropriate treatment programs in Allen.
While other mental health disorders may not technically be as "severe," they still affect a person's daily life and deserve treatment at a dual diagnosis treatment center. Examples of these disorders include:
Bipolar disorder: This disorder causes a person to fluctuate between feelings of depression and extreme bouts of euphoria that cause the person to behave in a reckless manner.
High-anxiety: This condition causes a person to feel an extraordinary sense of fear and trepidation at a situation.
Schizophrenia: This severe mental illness causes a person to lose touch with reality. They may experience hallucinations, seeing, hearing, and even smelling things that aren't there.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): This condition causes a person to experience compulsive thoughts or engage in behaviors that are repetitive in nature.
Depression: This condition causes a person to experience extreme feelings of sadness or hopelessness regarding their life.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): This condition causes a person to experience flashbacks, depression, and anxiety related to a traumatic event or events in their life.
Unfortunately, a person may experience more than one of these mental health conditions in addition to substance abuse. At a dual diagnosis treatment program, they can receive counseling and start taking medications that may help to lessen the symptoms associated with a dual diagnosis. Call now for help (877) 804-1531.