Are You or a Loved One Struggling with Substance Abuse and Mental Illness Simultaneously?
Do you struggle with the combined difficulties of substance use disorder and mental illness? Does someone close to you suffer from a mental health disorder, while also dealing with serious drug or alcohol abuse? In either case, it is important that you know that you (or your loved ones) are not alone in this journey.
It takes immense courage to confront the complexities of facing both addiction and mental health issues, but you should know that there is hope for healing and recovery. Your struggle with mental illness and substance abuse is not unusual, and there is compassionate help available to guide you towards a brighter and healthier future.
Turning Point of Tampa wants you to know that seeking support is not a sign of weakness but an act of bravery. With the proper treatment, you can embark on a path of self-discovery and transformation. With the professional staff at Turning Point of Tampa, you can break the chains of addiction and mental illness, one step at a time.
Read on to learn more about what happens when co-occurring mental health issues and addiction issues affect a person, and what can be done to help you (or those close to you) overcome these issues with a dual diagnosis treatment program.
Dual Diagnosis Explained
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) notes that mental health disorders are often accompanied by substance abuse. When these co-occurring disorders present themselves, a patient qualifies for a dual diagnosis treatment, meaning that clinicians are treating one or more mental illnesses as well as one or more substance use problems.
The term “dual diagnosis” describes the way these patients are categorized by treatment professionals. While some people engage in substance abuse without suffering from another mental illness, experts estimate that at least half of people who have a substance use disorder at one point in their lives will also suffer from a mental health disorder.
The same applies to people who have a mental illness. Nearly half will also struggle with substance abuse at some point in their lives. While in some instances an individual may have a mental health disorder emerge years after entering recovery, in dual diagnosis cases both an addiction and mental health problem are present at the same time, and impacting a person’s life and well-being significantly enough that dual diagnosis treatment is necessary.
Why is Dual Diagnosis So Common?
The mutually reinforcing nature of addiction and mental illness often creates a cycle that can be challenging to break. There are several key factors that contribute to the high prevalence of dual diagnosis among patients with addiction.
Self Medication
Self-medication is a common driving force behind the co-occurrence of addiction and mental health issues. Individuals with undiagnosed or untreated mental illnesses may turn to drugs or alcohol as a means to alleviate the distressing symptoms they experience in daily life.
Substance use provides temporary relief from anxiety, depression, or other emotional pain, leading to a vicious cycle of self-medication and addiction. Unfortunately, this coping mechanism only perpetuates the underlying mental health issue, making it difficult to address the underlying causes of both conditions simultaneously.
Neurobiological Effects on Mental Health
The neurobiological effects of substance abuse can contribute to the development or exacerbation of mental health disorders. Prolonged use of drugs or alcohol can alter brain chemistry and lead to imbalances in neurotransmitters. These imbalances can trigger or worsen symptoms of mental illness, making individuals more susceptible to developing a dual diagnosis.
There are also overlapping risk factors like family history that predispose individuals to both addiction issues and co-occurring conditions. Additionally, individuals who experience chronic stress, isolation, or lack of social support are at a higher risk of developing addiction and a mental health disorder simultaneously.
Environmental Factors
Environmental factors play a significant role in the high prevalence of dual diagnosis. Adverse childhood experiences, such as trauma, abuse, or neglect, increase the risk of developing both a mental illness and addiction later in life.
The bad connotations that surround mental health issues can also contribute to the development of dual diagnosis. Many individuals with mental illnesses face discrimination, judgment, and a lack of understanding from society. This stigma can prevent individuals from seeking proper mental health treatment, leading them to self-medicate with substances instead.
The shame and fear associated with their internal struggles may further perpetuate the cycle of addiction and prevent individuals from seeking help.
Common Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders
Although any mental disorder can co-occur with addiction, these are some of the most common co occurring conditions.
Depression: Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders that co-occurs with addiction. The use of alcohol or drugs may be an attempt to self-medicate and alleviate the symptoms of depression. Unfortunately, the addictive substances themselves can exacerbate depressive symptoms.
Anxiety: Anxiety conditions, which include generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and panic disorder, frequently coexist with addiction. Individuals with anxiety may turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to cope with their intense feelings of fear, worry, or unease.
Bipolar disorder: Bipolar disorder, characterized by extreme mood swings between depressive and manic episodes, is often associated with abuse of substances.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Individuals who have experienced traumatic events may develop PTSD. Alcohol or drugs may serve as a way to numb the painful memories and escape the overwhelming emotions associated with PTSD.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): ADHD is commonly associated with addiction, as individuals with ADHD may misuse stimulant medications prescribed to manage their symptoms.
What Are the Signs That Someone Needs a Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center?
Symptoms of a dual diagnosis can be difficult to spot.
For the friends or family of people with known mental health symptoms, it can be difficult to recognize when a loved one is abusing substances and needs dual diagnosis treatment. They may mistake symptoms of drug or alcohol abuse for symptoms of their co-occurring conditions. This is why an initial evaluation at a dual diagnosis treatment center like Turning Point of Tampa is an important step for anyone concerned about a loved one who may need dual diagnosis treatment.
Treatment For Co-Occurring Disorders
Personalized Treatment for a Dual Diagnosis
Dual diagnosis treatment begins with assessment. An individualized treatment plan will be developed. Dual diagnosis treatment is designed to treat the whole person, not just their addiction.
Treating Both Issues
Treatment in a dual diagnosis treatment center will address both the substance abuse disorder and the co-occurring disorder. For clients with PTSD and other disorders related to trauma, trauma therapy is necessary to treat the underlying causes of the use.
Working Toward a Healthy Discharge Plan
Once intensive dual diagnosis treatment is complete, the dual diagnosis treatment program continues with a discharge plan. The plan may incorporate family members and family therapy into the treatment process to help patients achieve lasting recovery.
Determining if Dual Diagnosis Treatment Is Right for You
If you or a loved one have been resistant to previous substance abuse treatment and have continued to relapse, there may be co-occurring conditions that require attention. An undiagnosed mental health condition can prevent an individual from recovering from drug abuse or alcoholism, even after treatment. This is a good sign that a treatment center offering dual diagnosis treatment is necessary for recovery.
Why Do You Need Dual Diagnosis Treatment?
The Right Care Can Help You Stay Sober
Relapse is often a part of substance abuse recovery. But treating the whole person and addressing brain chemistry issues that are contributing to a person’s substance abuse problem as part of the treatment plan reduces the likelihood of relapse. This is one advantage of a dual diagnosis treatment center like Turning Point of Tampa.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders can also qualify an individual for dual diagnosis treatment. A patient with an issue like anorexia may have a co-occurring mental health disorder or co-occurring issues with drugs or alcohol.
A dual diagnosis treatment center may be your best option for treating your eating disorder if this is the case for you.
Holistic Treatment for Co-Occurring Disorders in Tampa, Florida
Turning Point of Tampa is a dual diagnosis treatment center that offers a chance at long-term recovery for people with mental health conditions alongside a substance abuse problem. Treating co-occurring conditions is what we have been doing since 1987.
Contact our trained and welcoming staff today to reclaim your life via our dual diagnosis program.
Sources:
https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Common-with-Mental-Illness/Substance-Use-Disorders
https://medlineplus.gov/dualdiagnosis.html
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/addictions/substance-abuse-and-mental-health.htm
