Depression and addiction are two different illnesses that frequently occur simultaneously making it difficult to determine a clear borderline between the two. Approximately fifty per cent of those with SUDs will have a mental health disorder in their lifetime. Interestingly, for people who have mental ailments, they are more vulnerable to developing substance use disorders. This is referred to as a “dual diagnosis” and it means that both illnesses need to be treated at the same time for anyone to have a chance at recovery.
Here at Sumat Center, we know that a patient with a dual diagnosis needs a care approach that is holistic, thus considering the physical and mental part of the individual. Here we discuss what dual diagnosis means, its difficulties, and how a careful treatment approach may pave the way to a successful outcome.
What is Dual Diagnosis?
Co-occurring disorders or dual diagnosis is a condition whereby a person has a substance abuse disorder and a mental health disorder. These disorders are often interconnected with each other but one does not lead to the other. For example, a man who had depression might start drinking alcohol to ‘’cope with’’ his condition while a man with substance use disorder might have anxiety or PTSD as complications derived from his addiction. There is considerable comorbidity where these disorders are concerned and the sequence of their onset is also not fixed.
Common mental health conditions that are often associated with dual diagnosis include:
Depression
Anxiety
Bipolar disorder
PTSD
Schizophrenia
On the other hand, common substance use disorders include:
Alcohol use disorder
Drug addiction (e.g., opioids, stimulants)
Prescription medication misuse
What Is the Connection between Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder?
Researchers have come up with various factors that explain why mental illness and substance use disorders are related. These include:
Shared Risk Factors: Mental health disorders and substance abuse share many of the risk factors. Specific examples include those who have been traumatized, chronically stressed or have a hereditary disposition towards mental illness, and are likely to simultaneously be predisposed to substance use.
Self-Medication: Patients with mental health disorders tend to use drugs or alcohol substances to treat the symptoms. This process gives this an alias of self-medication because it only offers a brilliant remedy to each yet worsens both. For example, a patient with PTSD may consume alcohol as a means of coping with the emotional pain that ends up aggravating his or her symptoms of anxiety and mental health.
Effects of Substance Use on the Brain: Alcohol and drug addiction require long-term use and this causes a change in the brain and exposes a person to mental disorders. For instance, addiction can cause illnesses to develop in the brain such as paranoia, hallucinations, aggression, and anxiety.
Comorbidity of mental disorders and SUD requires that the two problems be treated holistically to ensure lasting recovery.
Challenges in Treating Dual Diagnosis
Treating dual diagnosis is far more complex than treating a single disorder. There are several reasons why dual diagnosis treatment requires specialized care:
Overlapping Symptoms: It can be difficult to determine whether an individual's symptoms are due to substance use, a mental health disorder, or a combination of both. For example, someone struggling with both depression and alcohol use disorder may exhibit mood swings, fatigue, and withdrawal from social activities, all of which could be attributed to either condition.
Engagement and Motivation: Individuals with co-occurring disorders may be less likely to seek help or stick with a treatment plan. The challenges of managing both conditions can lead to feelings of hopelessness or resistance to treatment.
Medication Interactions: Treating a mental health disorder often involves medication, but these medications can sometimes interact with substances like alcohol or drugs, leading to dangerous side effects. This makes it crucial for dual-diagnosis patients to receive treatment in a supervised, residential setting where professionals can manage any potential complications.
The Importance of Integrated Treatment for Dual Diagnosis
Integrated treatment is the most effective approach for addressing co-occurring disorders. This means treating both the mental health condition and the substance use disorder simultaneously rather than separately. At Sumat Center, our dual diagnosis treatment program provides a comprehensive and individualized plan to address both conditions, ensuring that patients receive the holistic care they need for lasting recovery.
Key components of our integrated treatment approach include:
Residential Treatment: Inpatient care provides a safe and structured environment where individuals can focus on recovery without the distractions or triggers of everyday life. It also allows for 24/7 medical supervision, which is essential for managing the complex symptoms and potential complications of dual diagnosis.
Individualized Treatment Plans: Each person's experience with dual diagnosis is unique, so treatment plans must be tailored to their specific needs. At Sumat Center, we take into account each client's history, diagnosis, and individual goals to create a personalized recovery plan.
Comprehensive Therapy Options: Dual diagnosis treatment involves a variety of therapies to address both mental health and substance use. Some of the therapies we offer include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
Holistic Therapy
PTSD Therapy
Group Therapy
Trauma Therapy
These evidence-based treatments help patients build coping skills, address the root causes of their conditions, and work towards long-term recovery.
Why Residential Treatment is Essential for Dual Diagnosis?
Residential treatment provides the structure, support, and supervision necessary to treat both mental health disorders and substance use disorders effectively. For dual diagnosis patients, the risks of relapse and adverse effects are significantly higher if treatment is not carefully managed. In a residential program, individuals are removed from potential triggers and have the opportunity to fully focus on their recovery.
In addition, residential care allows for close monitoring of medication and any potential interactions between mental health medications and substances. This ensures that any complications are addressed immediately, reducing the risk of overdose or severe side effects.
How Long Will It Take to Treat Dual Diagnosis?
It can also be said that there are no definitive approaches to treating a person with dual diagnosis. Length of stay for treatment can vary from six months to one year and depends on the intensity with which a patient’s conditions require treatment or progress through rehab and/or improvement. However, what should be understood, is the fact that treatment of dual diagnosis is usually longer than in the case of a single disorder. Therefore, the decision to proceed at a particular rate is averted to guarantee the patients have the best chance at recovery.
At Sumat Center, we also stress that patience and perseverance are required when going through a treatment process. It is, therefore, the ambition of the CTC to help clients to achieve sustained remission without probability of the relapse.
Conclusion
Dual disorders are worse off from individual addiction and mental health issues due to the risk that comes with such disorders. Symptoms of contacting a physical health condition are more evident in clients with dual diagnosis, a high possibility of having suicidal intentions, and aggressive tendencies, and are more likely to experience homelessness. This is even more significant for youths since poor results can be more devastating when treatment is not well administered.
When it comes to treating families throughout Florida for a dual diagnosis such as Alcohol use disorder and Bipolar disorder, a treatment program like Sumat Center must be experienced in such co-occurring disorders treatments. Due to the holistic treatment approach that is used to treat the two conditions we get a good foundation of having a healthier and more fulfilled life.