The Relationship Between Addiction and Mental Health
The National Institute on Drug Abuse says there is a high prevalence of comorbidities among individuals with mood and anxiety disorders and drug disorders. Comorbidity simply means that you have two diagnoses at the same time. The fact that there is a high prevalence of this just means it’s fairly common.
One reason for the high likelihood of someone present with both types of diagnosis is the relationship between addiction and mental health. In many cases, one of the types of diagnoses existed first and may be a root cause for the other.
For example, if someone is dealing with a mental health disorder, they may turn to drugs or alcohol as a form of self-medication or escapism. Substances can often dull the symptoms of mental health issues. Someone with anxiety may drink to quell their anxieties, and someone who has hallucinations or hears voices may turn to drugs to mitigate those symptoms. Individuals with depression may seek drugs that give them feelings of elation. Whatever the reason for seeking substances in the first place, continued reliance on drugs or alcohol to deal with a mental health disorder can turn into addiction.
On the other hand, someone who begins to abuse drugs or alcohol for other reasons — even just recreationally — can develop an addiction. And because the use of drugs and alcohol changes the very way your brain functions, that can lead to altered emotional and mental states, which can develop into mental health disorders including anxiety and depression. The real-world issues surrounding substance abuse, including having to lie or steal to keep up drug use, can also lead to mental health issues.
The Benefits of Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers
Other benefits of dual diagnosis rehab include:
- Appropriate medication management
- For those suffering from mental health disorders, medication may be required to live a productive life. At the same time, medication can be a dangerous trigger for those dealing with addiction. Dual diagnosis rehab experts understand the fine line that may need to be walked in such situations and can help you manage medication needs appropriately and develop protocols to use in the future to ensure both diagnoses are appropriately treated.
- Comprehensive recovery solutions
- Addiction counselors without experience with dual diagnosis may not understand how a second condition can make certain coping mechanisms harder or even impossible to develop. The treatment takes a comprehensive approach to recovery, working within any limitations or special needs to create a plan of action that allows you to experience all the proven methods of recovery on appropriate terms.
- The right level of education on each symptom
- During recovery that offers a holistic approach to dual diagnoses, you’ll learn more about all of your symptoms, how to recognize what they are and where they are coming from and how to respond to them with healthy actions or reactions. For example, someone with anxiety disorder and a drug addiction may need to learn how to discern, when possible, between triggers and cravings associated with their addiction and a panic attack. While some of the coping mechanisms may be the same, removing a substance or trigger situation may help in the former case but not in the latter.
These are just some reasons to ensure you’re working with a top-rated dual diagnosis rehab center in Florida if you believe you’re dealing with both an addiction and a mental health disorder.
The Cost of Treatment
Plans do come with out-of-pocket costs, which insurance companies pass on to you. With inpatient rehab, which can involve residential stays ranging from a few days to a few months, your total out-of-pocket costs can be between a few hundred dollars and $15,000 or more. You can keep your out-of-pocket costs as low as possible by choosing a facility that participates with your insurance plan and having them verify benefits to learn which services will be covered.
While that may seem like a lot, the costs associated with long-term drug or alcohol abuse or a mental health disorder that’s not properly treated can be much, much more. Those costs can include expenses associated with legal fees, medical treatment from issues that develop because of your disorder, loss of wages or jobs or legal fees associated with drug or drinking charges. Ultimately, without treatment, costs can include much more valuable (and non-monetary) things such as your relationships, your reputation or even your life.
Don’t let financial worries keep you from reaching out today if you’re struggling with substance abuse and a potential mental health disorder. Admissions counselors can help you understand all your options and walk you through potential assistance programs for covering any costs you might incur. Other options for paying for dual diagnosis rehab costs include employee assistance programs and payment plans.
What to Look for in a Treatment Center
- What diagnoses is the staff experienced with?
- If you have a preexisting mental health condition and know what your diagnosis is, ensure your rehab facility has professionals on staff that are experienced in treating it. If a facility works regularly with depression or anxiety but has never treated someone with schizophrenia, it might not be the best choice for you if that’s your diagnosis.
- What treatment options are available?
- It’s important to consider both the mental health and rehab treatment methods employed at the facility. Can you go through medically assisted detox? Will the staff help you with medical issues if you have any? What types of therapy are available, and will they address your needs in a comprehensive manner?
- How is treatment planning handled?
- In recent years, many rehab models have moved toward the inclusion of the patient in treatment planning. That means you get to voice preferences, goals and needs that doctors and therapists consider when planning your treatment. Being included in the process helps you develop ownership and responsibility for your own sobriety, and having some level of control is important for many people. However, mental health disorders may change how this is accomplished, so if participation is important to you, ask about how the staff approaches planning.
- What are the amenities?
- Amenities at residential treatment programs vary widely. One program might feature comfortably functional rooms that are shared with another person, while another offers private suites. You might find programs that include pools, exercise courts and gyms, yoga studios and on-site cafes. When possible, choose a program that has amenities that make you feel more comfortable and at home with the treatment environment.
- What types of therapy are offered?
- While almost all residential dual diagnosis programs will offer behavioral therapy in the form of individual and group sessions, many provide more options. Recreational, exercise, drama, equine, art and music therapy are just some types of methodologies that may be offered. If faith is important to you, you might want to ensure that the facility you choose offers faith-based therapy or spiritual support.
- Are family members allowed to visit you?
- Depending on the location you seek treatment in and how long you’ll be there, you may want to see your family periodically. You may even want to have them involved in family therapy sessions. This can be especially helpful in ensuring your loved ones understand your addiction and mental health disorder so they can support your recovery. It may also be necessary to ensure relationships can begin to heal if your drug or alcohol use or mental health disorder caused rifts, anger or fights in the past.
- Is the facility or staff certified?
- Don’t be afraid to ask about credentials and certification to ensure you’re dealing with fully licensed staff in a facility that is certified by a state agency.
These are just suggestions for things you might consider when searching for a dual diagnosis treatment center. Ultimately, the best results are typically seen when you find a rehab facility where you feel safe and comfortable, because you’re better able to concentrate on therapy and your own recovery.
Find Out More About Our Treatment Center
- Comprehensive intake procedures that identify your immediate needs, get you started with detox or therapy that’s right for your situation and ensure you understand your initial treatment plan, potential expenses and the role of insurance in covering those costs
- Medically assisted detox, if necessary, to help you get through the worst withdrawal symptoms as comfortably as possible
- Behavioral therapy that helps you identify root causes for drug or alcohol use, understand the relationship between your addiction and mental health disorder and develop healthy coping mechanisms for both
- Recreational therapy and other treatments that take a holistic approach to your diagnoses and further help you develop coping mechanisms
- Discharge planning to ensure you have appropriate referrals for outpatient treatment or aftercare, including group or individual counseling, to ensure long-term success with sobriety and a positive transition from inpatient rehab to “regular” life
If you are struggling with addiction and think you may also have an underlying mental health condition, call us right now . Our caring counselors are always available to take your call and help you understand the treatment options for dual diagnosis that are available to you.
