Many people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol also struggle with co-occurring mental health disorders. Mental health issues like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or PTSD can exacerbate substance use issues, and many individuals who struggle with these co-occurring disorders are not aware that they would benefit from mental health treatment. However, a targeted treatment program that addresses both issues simultaneously can lead to long-term positive outcomes. Dual diagnosis treatment programs are designed to help those who are battling both addiction and mental health issues heal. If you’re not sure whether you need dual diagnosis treatment, learn more about the signs and symptoms of co-occurring issues, then reach out to an addiction treatment center near you today to learn more.
Do You Have Co-Occurring Disorders?
It’s not always possible to recognize the signs of co-occurring disorders until you receive treatment for drug and alcohol addiction. Other times, a person may have had symptoms of disorders like depression and anxiety prior to using substances. Often, they turn to substances to learn to cope with the symptoms of mental health disorders.
Some of the most common signs of co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders include:
- When you feel stress, you turn to substances for relief, comfort, or to forget.
- Drugs and alcohol help you to have more control over your feelings of anxiety or help you to enjoy life more fully.
- Feelings of intense anxiety or depression tend to occur if you don’t self-medicate with drugs or alcohol.
- You use drugs or alcohol as a way to stop thinking about the past or to avoid flashbacks from previous traumatic episodes.
- You’re using more of these substances in a compulsive manner because they are not working as well for you to manage emotions, stress, or memories.
This may give you some insight into mental health disorders. However, addiction and dependence can also play a role here. Those with addiction feel compulsive cravings to use substances even though they know doing so isn’t good for them. Dependence forms when you feel withdrawal symptoms and cravings if you stop using those substances. In all cases, these may be signs of co-occurring disorders that require professional treatment.
The Importance of Dual Diagnosis Treatment Programs
Sometimes a person with co-occurring disorders will go through therapy without proper diagnosis of their mental health disorder. That puts them at a much higher risk of relapse. Without treatment of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or other disorder, you’re at risk for experiencing a relapse. When that happens, it puts a person at risk for numerous health complications.
With dual diagnosis treatment, it’s possible to address both conditions at the same time. This ensures both receive proper treatment. The end result is that you feel more in control and able to cope with life with this type of support in place.
How Our Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center Helps You
Virtues Behavioral Health is an outpatient treatment center offering a wide range of therapies to support your full recovery from both drug and alcohol addiction and mental health disorders. These conditions don’t have a cure. They can be well controlled and may no longer impact your daily life as much with proper treatment.
We provide comprehensive care in a modern setting. You’ll find our dedicated professionals are ready to support you throughout the healing process with numerous therapies, outstanding support, and holistic care. Some of the therapies we offer include:
- Partial hospitalization program
- Intensive outpatient program
- Aftercare treatment program
- Dual diagnosis treatment
Expect Exceptional Support at Virtues Behavioral Health
You may not know if you need treatment for a mental health disorder and addiction right now. It’s not uncommon to learn about this need later. Having a dual diagnosis treatment center available ensures you can get this help if you need it. Learn more about dual diagnosis treatment from Virtues Behavioral Health when you call us at 855.579.8599 or connect with us online.
