When both a substance use and mental health disorder exist simultaneously, addiction treatment professionals refer to these as co-occurring disorders or to the client as having a dual diagnosis. No substance abuse treatment is complete without programs for co-occurring disorders.
Oceanfront Recovery’s intake experts will guide you through the best therapy and addiction treatment programs in California. Our dual diagnosis treatment program addresses substance abuse with co-occurring mental health conditions. Call us today at (877) 296-7477 to learn about our addiction treatment programs in California and how we center our programs around your needs for a personalized approach to assessment and mental health treatment.
The Necessity Of Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Addiction frequently goes hand-in-hand with mental health concerns. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration notes that many individuals with a dual diagnosis are treated for only one of their diagnosable conditions. Some of the most common conditions that accompany substance abuse include:
- Mood disorders
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Bipolar disorder
Some clients may have trouble accepting a mental health diagnosis because they want to avoid being labeled with a mental health disorder. It is often easier to accept the label of addiction rather than the dual diagnosis of addiction and mental illness. However, a dual diagnosis can be a freeing experience that allows a person to fully understand the need for treatment.
Dual diagnosis treatment is vital for recovery from substance abuse with co-occurring disorders because:
- Those with a mental health disorder are at a higher risk of developing a chemical dependency.
- The effects of long-term substance abuse can worsen mental health or trigger the onset of mental illness.
- An incomplete approach to treatment significantly increases the risk of relapse since the underlying issues are not addressed.
- Patients with co-occurring disorders who receive integrated treatment have better outcomes than those who only treat one condition at a time.
If you think that you or your loved one might be struggling with a dual diagnosis, you should always seek recovery treatment at a facility that is qualified to treat both substance abuse and mental health concerns.