Addiction and mental health disorders often go hand-in-hand. Many people who struggle with addiction also have an underlying mental health issue like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or PTSD. Similarly, those with mental health disorders may use drugs or alcohol to self-medicate their symptoms. This is known as a dual diagnosis.
It’s important to understand this connection and address both issues simultaneously. Treating only the addiction without treating the mental health disorder (or vice versa) typically leads to poor outcomes. An integrated approach that targets both conditions is ideal.
Get a Thorough Evaluation
When someone seeks treatment for addiction, they should receive a complete mental health evaluation. This allows providers to screen for and diagnose any co-occurring disorders. Common assessments include clinical interviews, mental status exams, psychological testing, and discussion of the patient’s medical history.
Getting an accurate diagnosis of all existing mental health disorders allows treatment providers to develop a personalized treatment plan that meets the patient’s unique needs. It also helps ensure people get access to proper medications, therapy, and support.
Choose an Integrated Treatment Program
Look for addiction treatment centers that offer integrated or dual diagnosis programs. These programs provide coordinated evidence-based treatment for both the addiction and any mental health disorders. This is sometimes called a parallel approach.
Many inpatient rehab centers and outpatient treatment providers now recognize the importance of addressing dual diagnosis. Their teams work together to tend to both issues simultaneously. This includes psychiatrists, addiction counselors, therapists, social workers, and medical staff.
Participate in Therapy for Both Issues
Therapy is a crucial component of integrated treatment for co-occurring disorders. Patients participate in addiction counseling to get support for sobriety. They also engage in psychotherapy and counseling for their mental health diagnosis.
Cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, contingency management, and motivational interviewing are all effective. Therapists help patients develop healthy coping mechanisms, manage difficult emotions, and work through trauma that may underlie the dual diagnosis.
Take Prescribed Medications as Directed
Medication is often prescribed to help manage psychiatric symptoms associated with mental health disorders. These may include antidepressants for depression and mood stabilizers for bipolar disorder. Medications help stabilize patients so they can focus on their addiction treatment.
It’s important to take any prescribed medications exactly as directed without adjusting dosages. Patients should be honest with their treatment team about all medications and side effects. This allows prescriptions to be adjusted as needed.
Lean on Peer Support Groups
Peer support groups can provide an added layer of support for managing dual diagnosis. Groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous help people maintain sobriety. There are also support groups specifically for various mental health conditions.
Peer support provides ongoing care and accountability during and after formal treatment. Shared personal experiences among group members help reduce isolation and build motivation for recovery. Patients should be encouraged to participate in appropriate groups.
Create a Relapse Prevention Plan
Before completing a treatment program, patients should work with providers to create a tailored relapse prevention plan. This includes identifying risk factors and warning signs for relapse. It also involves establishing strategies to avoid or cope with triggers and cravings.
Having a solid plan in place makes it easier to catch and address early signs of relapse before they spiral out of control. It also empowers people to take control of their ongoing recovery journey. Support groups provide added accountability.
A dual diagnosis requires specialized integrated treatment that addresses both the addiction and mental health disorder simultaneously. While challenging, long-term recovery is possible with an individualized treatment plan, therapy, medication, peer support, and an unwavering commitment to the process.
