Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Pasadena, TX
A dual diagnosis is made when someone with an addiction also has a co-occurring mental illness. Dual diagnosis treatment in Pasadena treats both the addiction and the mental illness, and it's essential for successful recovery.
Why Dual Diagnosis is So Common
Co-occurring disorders are very common. According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, a third of people with a mental illness also have a drug or alcohol addiction, and a third of people addicted to alcohol and half of those addicted to drugs also have a mental illness.
One reason why dual diagnosis is so common is that people with a mental illness like anxiety or depression often self-medicate the symptoms with drugs or alcohol. For example, someone suffering from anxiety may use alcohol to relax, while someone with depression may use stimulants or opioids to improve their mood. Unfortunately, drug abuse almost always makes the mental illness worse, and the worsening mental illness can lead to heavier drug abuse.
Another reason for the high prevalence of co-occurring disorders is that chronic drug and alcohol abuse changes the structures and functions of the brain and often leads to the onset of a mental illness that didn't previously exist.
Mental Illnesses That Commonly Co-Occurs with Addiction
While depression and anxiety are the most common mental illnesses that co-occur with addiction, any mental illness can increase your risk of substance abuse, and vice-versa. Other common mental illnesses that are frequently seen along with addiction include:
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD, which involves engaging in compulsive behaviors like hand-washing or counting.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, which results from being the victim of or witness to a traumatic event and includes symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, nightmares, and flashbacks.
- Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, which are severe mental illnesses. More than half of those with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder are addicted to drugs or alcohol.
- Dual diagnosis inpatient rehab in Pasadena specializes in treating co-occurring disorders and is absolutely essential for successful long-term recovery from both the addiction and the mental illness.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Pasadena is Integrated and Collaborative
Treating just a mental illness has little effect on an addiction, and treating just an addiction has little effect on a mental illness. Co-occurring disorders require integrated treatment for the best chances at successful recovery.
Dual diagnosis treatment programs are collaborative and integrated. Treatment teams for the addiction and the mental illness work together to provide treatment that addresses the addiction in the context of the mental illness and treats the mental illness in the context of the addiction. This treatment approach enjoys a high level of success in treating both disorders at the same time, especially when it's offered through a holistic program that includes both traditional and complementary therapies that address issues of body, mind, and spirit.
Therapies Used in Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Pasadena
Treatment programs in Pasadena are the cornerstone of dual diagnosis rehab. A combination of traditional and complementary therapies has been shown to be the most successful way to treat co-occurring disorders.
Traditional treatment therapies for dual diagnosis include:
Cognitive-behavioral therapy, which helps you identify unhealthy thought and behavior patterns and replace them with healthier ways of thinking and behaving. It helps you get to the bottom of the issues that underlie the addiction and the mental illness, which may include chronic stress, a history of trauma, family dysfunction, or brain chemical imbalances.
Pharmacotherapy, which uses medication to treat symptoms of mental illness and can also help reduce the intensity of cravings for some substances. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration points out that a combination of medication and therapy is the best way to treat co-occurring disorders.
Family therapy, which helps restore function to the household, repairs damaged familial relationships, and improves communication among family members for better mental health and addiction support.
Psychoeducational classes, which help you understand how mental illness and addiction occur, their relationship to one another, how they're treated, and what it takes to send them into remission for the long-term.
Complementary treatment therapies include:
Art therapy or music therapy, which reduces stress, helps you work through difficult experiences and emotions, and offers a new way of looking at old problems.
Yoga and meditation, which improve mindfulness and well-being, reduce stress and help your body learn to respond better to it, and promote a higher level of self-awareness.
Nature therapy, which reduces stress, improves self-confidence, and helps you build better communication skills.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Pasadena Restores Your Life
Living with a mental illness and an addiction can leave you feeling overwhelmed and hopeless about ever recovering. Co-occurring disorders are very complex, but dual diagnosis treatment programs are effective for helping you restore your mental health, send the addiction into remission for the long-term, and improve your overall quality of life and sense of well-being.
High-quality dual diagnosis treatment in Pasadena can help you reclaim your life. It helps you find purpose and meaning, and it helps you improve your relationships and learn to have fun and find enjoyment in recovery. Call us now at (877) 804-1531.