When treating substance use disorders, it is common to treat some other co-occurring conditions mostly related to mental health, generally known as dual diagnosis. Any substance, drug or alcohol, acts on the brain and affects its normal functioning, which is the reason for addicts to behave differently or having problems in interacting with others in the way expected. The truth is that if you suffer from addiction problems, you will experience some mental disorders because the two go hand-in-hand. Interestingly, the results of epidemiological studies reveal that 50% of psychiatric patients have some link to a substance use disorder.
Specialists who treat addictions, both alcohol, and drugs, are aware of the impact of substances on mental health and the possibilities of showing signs of mental disorders. Any rehab center for alcohol treatment Michigan ensures that dual diagnosis issues are well taken care of because it will wrong to assume that merely abstaining from alcohol will automatically heal the mental scars. Talk to the specialist to treat the condition effectively.
Need for overall treatment
To avoid a failed experiment in alcohol addiction treatment due to the sole focus on de-addiction only, consider if you need dual diagnosis treatment because of the effects of alcohol on the brain. Treating alcohol addiction alone will not help address other mental issues like depression, anxiety, insomnia, etc. Modern treatment consists of an integrated approach that focuses on treating both conditions at the same time. Trying to do it separately will only prove disappointing as many people have been victims of failed treatments when doctors try to cure one illness at a time.
Substances cause mental illness and vice versa
It is undeniable that prolonged use of substances alters the brain’s condition that reflects in the behavior and other cognitive issues faced by the addicts. While drugs have psychotropic effects on the brain and alter its normal functioning, alcohol can have similar effects that manifest through behavioral changes. On the other hand, there are examples of psychiatric patients feeling attracted to alcohol or drugs, hoping that it will relieve their problems.
Research has shown the close links between substance abuse and mental disorders because many of the same risk factors exist in both conditions. A typical example is about those who experience sexual or physical abuse early in their lives who remain prone to developing some mental illness and substance abuse. Experts believe that treating both the conditions together can help patients in the long run.
Therapies for those suffering from dual diagnosis
At any dual diagnosis treatment centers in Oregon, the individuals’ needs take precedence over other considerations when developing a treatment plan. There is no specific treatment applicable across a section of patients because every patient is unique, and their conditions are impressive. Only a specialized treatment plan that addresses addiction and mental health issues can help the patient recover from addiction and lead a sober life by correcting their mental disorders. By considering the type of substance and its accompanying health effects and the level and length of addiction, the doctor can develop a tailor-made treatment plan. The treatment plan considers the type of co-occurring disorder because unless both issues get treated, the treatment can never be successful.
Cognitive behavioral therapies
Cognitive behavioral therapies have long been part of psychiatric treatments and are useful for treating drug and alcohol addiction. The treatment consists of 16 visits to the therapist. The patient goes through an unlearning process to get rid of some defined notions about their life and the decision making modality that they prefer. The therapy revolves around the theory that the way we perceive the world and our lives forms the basis of our decisions. If anyone believes that they are not good enough, they may behave in a way without giving any importance to their lives and neglect their health and wellbeing.
Alternative therapies for reducing stress
Rehab centers that offer dual diagnosis treatment often include relaxation techniques in the overall addiction treatment to take care of mental issues like pain, anxiety, and depression. When these relaxation techniques become part of the addiction treatment, it can change how the body responds to various stressful conditions. The holistic treatment of drug addiction consists of self-hypnosis, breathing exercises, progressive relaxation, guided imagery, and meditation that can help individuals develop a guided response to the situations they face by having control of their body and brain.
The relaxation techniques reduce body stress, which reduces high blood pressure and controls the heart rate and breathing, thereby easing the physical conditions and ensuring a better response to the treatment.
Regardless of the mental disorder that accompanies those suffering from substance addiction, a customized treatment plan based on dual diagnosis can effectively cure the problems with long lasting results.
