Dual Diagnosis Treatment

When Substance Abuse is Not the Only Problem

Dual diagnosis is the term used when a person suffers from both a drug or alcohol problem and a co-occurring psychiatric disorder. This could include depression, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, or a personality disorder. In dual diagnosis treatment, we identify any psychiatric problems and treat them alongside the drug or alcohol addiction.

Inextricably Entwined

A dual diagnosis is very common among people entering treatment and is often heavily entwined with their substance abuse problem. In the midst of active addiction, psychiatric disorders are hard to diagnose and treat. It is difficult to discern if symptoms, such as the low moods of depression or the highs of bipolar disorder, are because of the psychiatric disorder or because of the drug use. In many cases, people find they were self-medicating their symptoms, for instance, drinking to alleviate anxiety, or taking painkillers to help with depression. Unmanaged psychiatric symptoms are a contributing factor to drug and alcohol abuse.

Providing the Best in Psychiatric Care

Dual diagnosis treatment includes a variety of approaches, including receiving care from a psychiatrist. Once you are clean and sober for some time, and are no longer under the influence of drugs or feeling withdrawal symptoms, we will give you a complete psychiatric assessment. In this evaluation, your psychiatrist will gather information about how you feel now, how you felt when you were using drugs or alcohol, and any past mental health issues, so that he or she can give you an accurate diagnosis.

Treating a Dual Diagnosis

Your doctor may prescribe medication to treat your disorder. These can include anti-depressants, mood stabilizers, and anti-psychotics. They are all non-mind-altering medications with no potential for dependence or abuse. Some people feel very strongly about taking prescription drugs while in recovery, with a small group arguing not to use any sort of drug, while the majority find it completely acceptable and necessary, as long as they are not controlled or mind-altering substances.

In addition to medication, we also provide both individual and group therapy, which provide skills for coping with your mental disorder. We emphasize how to be mindful of your thoughts and behaviors, as well as how to work on your relationships with others. We also incorporate education about your condition, because the better informed you are, the easier it is to take care of yourself.

Finally, we stress the importance of exercise, recreation, and a healthy diet. Exercise significantly reduces stress, anxiety, and depression through increased endorphin activity. Recreation can help establish better social interaction and open the doors to new hobbies. And eating a healthy diet improves your overall well-being.

Maintaining Your Psychiatric Treatment

It is absolutely vital to give your psychiatric disorder as much attention and care as your addiction, for the two are so closely related. It is all too common for someone in early recovery to start feeling better and think they do not need their medications, not realizing the medications are a reason why they are feeling good. They stop taking them and eventually start to feel symptoms again, which in turn can start the whole process of self-medicating with drugs or alcohol over. You should never discontinue taking any prescribed medication without direction from your psychiatrist. Doing so is a recipe for disaster.

More information about specific disorders and treatments:

• Depression – Overwhelming sad feelings, low energy, and lack of interest in activities
• Anxiety Disorders – Constant or abnormal levels of fear and anxiety (includes OCD)
• Bipolar Disorder – Mood swings between very “low” and very “high” feelings
• Personality Disorders – Impulsive behavior, hostility, and need for attention are some characteristics of this variety of disorders

If you have any questions about our dual diagnosis treatment, or if you need help or advice about a drug or alcohol problem, you can call our free Addiction Helpline, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, at 1-800-884-1727. You can also reach our Helpline by using Live Chat or through our Contact Us form.