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For many people, alcohol or drug addiction doesn’t come alone. Plenty of people who struggle with addiction and substance abuse also have mental health conditions, which may or may not be related to or play a role in their addiction. This is formally known as dual diagnosis and it’s important to understand as a part of recovery because you cannot fix one issue without addressing the other.
Substance use disorders and mental health disorders are dangerous when they interact—the negative aspects of each can worsen the other, making it that much harder for people to overcome their addictions and get the help that they need. Genetics, stress, and trauma all contribute to substance abuse and mental health conditions, so it’s not a surprise that they’re often found together.
Not all addiction treatment centers in Massachusetts offer dual diagnosis treatment, so this needs to be on your list of things to look for if it’s something that you think you can benefit from. And speaking of benefits, dual diagnosis treatment comes with several, including:
All of this can make a recovery from drug and alcohol addiction and the addiction treatment process that much easier, even when you are struggling with an addiction you’re not sure you can beat. With the proper addiction treatment program in Massachusetts, you’ll never hesitate because you’ll know that you’re ready for whatever comes your way.
Of course, most people want to understand how the process works—do you have mental health disorders that contribute to addiction, or does your addiction contribute to developing mental health conditions? The short answer is both. In many instances, people who have depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues may avoid seeking actual help from a psychiatrist or other mental health professional. Instead, they’ll turn to drugs or drinking and forget all about their problems.
Some people don’t even know how to identify mental health issues, leading them to drink and/or use drugs. They know something’s wrong and aren’t sure how to fix it, but drugs and alcohol offer a quick fix, albeit fleeting. In the same regard, ongoing substance abuse can lead to the development of mental health issues.
This is because substance abuse can change the way that the brain works and affect the normal thought patterns and processes of your body. Part of the treatment process will involve figuring out which came first so that the right options for recovery are chosen. Working with a reputable dual diagnosis treatment program will be a standard part of the intake process, giving you peace of mind that you’re in good hands from the start.
Someone who has a dual diagnosis will need to treat both conditions for either treatment to be effective. People will need to stop the use of alcohol and drugs completely. They will also need to attend therapy sessions, support groups, and other treatment programs or sessions to get the help and support they need.
It's not enough to diagnose someone with an addiction and a coexisting mental health condition. There also needs to be a treatment plan that includes all the elements to ensure that the whole person is being treated, not just the symptoms of the addiction. Usually, these treatment plans will include cognitive behavioral therapy, family therapy, and other addiction treatments that make people think critically, examine their lives, and get a good look at where they are and what they need to do to improve their lives.
Not all clinics, drug rehab facilities, and drug treatment centers offer dual diagnosis treatment. You will need to do some research to see what’s out there if this is something that interests you. It does no good to go through all the trouble of finding and attending a rehab program for addiction if you aren’t willing to investigate the rest of your physical and mental health and get the care you need all around.
When you choose a reputable, experienced drug and alcohol treatment center in Massachusetts, that’s easy to do.
At Meta, we offer Massachusetts residents the chance to empower themselves and take charge of their recovery, one step at a time. We believe that our clients deserve the dedicated attention that puts their needs at the center of the treatment plan so that they are equipped with the knowledge and tools they will need to continue on their own road to successful recovery. Reach out to Meta today to learn more or discuss how our dual-diagnosis treatment programs can help you.
[author] [author_image timthumb='on']/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/img-ed-480x572.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Reviewed by Ed Lepage, Executive Director
Ed Lepage completed the drug and alcohol certificate program at the University of Massachusetts Boston and has been working in the substance abuse dependency field for the past seven years. He has also worked extensively in peer recovery-based programs offering “real-world experience” to those that suffer from substance use dependency. Full Bio [/author_info] [/author]