If you have struggled with any substance use disorder, you may have heard the term “dual diagnosis” tossed around before. This is common among people who have substance abuse issues. However, what is dual diagnosis, and how does it affect your treatment? Is it important to have a dual diagnosis treatment center in Tampa, FL if you are diagnosed with a dual diagnosis? Let’s take a look at this common occurrence.
What is Dual Diagnosis?
Dual diagnosis definition: A dual diagnosis refers to a person who has a diagnosis of a mental health disorder AND a substance use disorder at the same time. This occurs in about half of all patients with either one or the other condition. For example, about 50 percent of the people with a mental health illness also have substance use disorder, and about 50 percent of people with a substance use disorder have a mental illness.
Some mental health conditions seem to be more readily associated with substance use disorder. Anxiety and mood disorders such as depression are two of the most common mental health disorders. These conditions are often linked to substance abuse and require substance abuse treatment.
How are Mental Health and Substance Abuse Connected?
When someone suffers from a mental health disorder, life feels out of control. The person is likely miserable because of mental illness. In order to compensate for the negative feelings they experience, the person turns to drugs or alcohol. However, the substance only intensifies the problem.
People who use drugs to solve a mental health problem end up creating an additional problem. In addition, the symptoms of mental illness often get worse after the person comes down off the substance.
Proper Treatment for Dual Diagnosis
People with a dual diagnosis need to seek out a facility that specializes in dual diagnosis treatment so they will have thorough healing. If they don’t resolve the mental health issues, then in time they may experience a relapse.
Through dual diagnosis treatment, patients find the therapy that addresses both the mental health concerns as well as the substance use disorder. The treatment goes to the root of the problem by resolving inner conflicts or past traumas. Sometimes these types of issues will lead to mental illness and consequently, substance use. When the mental health problems are resolved, then many times people realize the need for drugs or alcohol disappears too.
Welcome to BoardPrep Recovery Center®
BoardPrep Recovery is a compassionate drug treatment center specializing in healing people who are addicted to drugs. We work with all types of substance abuse using evidence-based modalities that get to the core of addiction behavior. Offering a wide range of therapy treatments, we ensure the best outcome. Some of our therapy programs include:
Don’t let drug addiction interfere with having a peaceful life. Now that you know what is dual diagnosis, you can find help from professional and compassionate clinicians. Contact us at 866.796.4720, and we’ll get you on the right road to healing.
