Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Big Spring, TX
Specialized dual diagnosis treatment in Big Spring uses a combination of therapies and treatments designed to treat mental health disorders at the same time as treating substance abuse disorders.
In the past, people struggling with more than one disorder were sent to opposing health care facilities for treatment. For example, a person dealing with mental health problems and addiction simultaneously were usually sent to a drug rehab center to get clean before being sent to a mental health care provider to receive an opposing type of treatment.
However, research indicates that a large percentage of people struggling with substance abuse disorders also have symptoms of at least one mental health disorder. Yet treating one disorder without addressing the other can increase the risk of relapse. Relapse prevention in Big Spring relies on both disorders being treated simultaneously.
Dual diagnosis treatment in Big Spring recognizes that the trigger for substance abuse in some people could be caused by symptoms of the mental health disorder. In other people, the symptoms of mental illness could be triggered or worsened by substance abuse.
What is Dual Diagnosis?
Dual diagnosis is the term used when a person has a drug or alcohol addiction or abuse disorder at the same time as at least one mental health disorder. Treating dual diagnosis can be challenging, as it can sometimes be difficult to determine whether the substance abuse triggered symptoms of mental illness, or whether the presence of a mental health disorder triggered the dysfunctional cycle of substance abuse.
Types of Mental Health Disorders
Some mental health disorders may be more commonly linked to substance abuse problems. These include:
Anxiety disorders: Anxiety and panic disorders can be distressing for sufferers. Many people become even more anxious at the thought of experiencing another attack. The fear of an impending attack can often be worse than the actual attack. In an effort to numb distressing emotions, many self-medicate with drugs or alcohol. Unfortunately, drugs and alcohol can make symptoms of anxiety worse.
Depression: Clinical depression is a serious mental health disorder that has a long-standing association with alcohol abuse for many people. Some people battling with depressive illness may try to elevate mood or numb dark thoughts with alcohol. However, alcohol acts as a depressant on the central nervous system, which can trigger symptoms of depression or make existing symptoms worse.
Post-traumatic stress disorder: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the more debilitating mental health disorders, causing significant distress for sufferers. PTSD is characterized by horrific flashbacks or nightmares along with intense symptoms of anxiety that cause many sufferers to turn to drugs or alcohol to escape the memories.
Bipolar disorder: Bipolar disorder was once known as manic depression and is a severe mental health disorder characterized by extreme mood swings. The person may appear happy, energetic and full of life one moment and cripplingly depressed the next. Statistics show that around 56% of people with bipolar disorder also struggled with drug or alcohol addiction at some point in their lives.
Schizoaffective disorder: Schizoaffective disorder involves a combination of schizophrenia and various mood disorders, often displaying with symptoms of delusions, hallucinations, mood swings, depression, and manic episodes. Treating a person with schizoaffective disorder can be extremely challenging, as it can be difficult to determine whether the symptoms of the disorder triggered substance abuse or whether abusing drugs or alcohol triggered symptoms of the schizoaffective disorder.
Why is Dual Diagnosis Treatment Necessary?
Trying to treat the symptoms of one disorder without also treating the other can increase the risk of relapse. Dual diagnosis treatment in Big Spring integrates specialized therapies designed to treat both disorders concurrently.
Seeking dual diagnosis treatment programs in Big Spring rehab centers is the best possible chance of making a recovery. Dual diagnosis rehab may incorporate psychopharmacology to ensure symptoms of the mental health disorder are well-managed before using behavioral therapies to teach the recovering person new coping skills and healthy alternatives for managing both disorders without the need for drugs or alcohol.
Dual diagnosis treatment in Big Spring also encourages recovering people to participate in group support sessions. Rather than attending substance-specific group sessions, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous, recovering people are encouraged to attend specific Dual Diagnosis Anonymous group meetings, as they provide a positive way to gain support from peers facing similar challenges through the recovery process. Call us now for help (877) 804-1531.