Drug and alcohol abuse coupled with mental health disorders creates a dangerous situation for many people. If addiction forms, a person may develop co-occurring disorders, where both components (mental health and addiction) require treatment together. Treating co-occurring disorders like this helps ensure the best type of outcome – recovery and relapse prevention. A mental health treatment center can provide a wide range of therapies and resources to help ensure proper care is provided in this situation.
Treating Co-Occurring Disorders Starts with Diagnosis
A person with co-occurring disorders may have symptoms of both mental health disorders as well as addiction. This may include disorders such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder. They may be using prescription drugs for nonmedical needs or illicit drugs. They may also be engaging in alcohol abuse.
It can be hard for therapists to diagnose this condition. That’s because addiction can mask the symptoms of mental health disorders. A person may use, for example, stimulants to help them feel more normal if they have depression. That makes it hard to see the feelings of hopelessness and deep sadness that are so common. In a mental health treatment center that deals with both conditions, this type of diagnosis is likely to be more accurate.
Some signs of this condition may include:
- Using drugs as a way to deal with emotions
- Turning to alcohol as a way to deal with stress
- Using illicit drugs to manage anxiety or constant worrying
- Trying to stop using drugs or alcohol but failing to do so
- Experiencing intense emotions and anxiety when not using drugs or alcohol
Treating Co-Occurring Disorders Requires Comprehensive Support
A mental health treatment program for co-occurring disorders must address both components of this disorder at the same time. That may mean providing help to break dependence on drugs and alcohol. Sometimes, detox is necessary to do this. It may also mean working to balance mental health disorders through the use of medications.
While medication may help, it is not the foundation of therapy beyond reaching stability. For that, most people need to embrace a range of therapy programs. These programs teach a person about their disorders and the symptoms to look for in them. They then focus on providing tools and strategies for managing disorders long term and dealing with the emotional damage these conditions cause.
Some of the therapies used to do this may include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Mindfulness meditation
- Motivational interviewing
- EMDR therapy programs
Each one of these therapies tackles a different aspect of improvement. For example, those who have past trauma that is impacting their lives daily may benefit from EMDR therapy. It works to help break the ties from past trauma from today’s actions and experiences, helping to restore overall mental health.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a very commonly used solution. It works to help a person become aware of their inaccurate or negative thoughts. When that awareness occurs, a person may be able to develop better strategies for managing that stressor, so they do not engage in poor behaviors such as using alcohol and drugs.
When Treating Co-Occurring Disorders, Focus on Comprehensive Care
One of the most important components of treating these disorders is for a person to embrace treatment fully. That means opening up during individual counseling sessions to learn more about the underlying cause of the addiction or mental health disorder. It may also help to work in group therapy as a way to help develop new ways of looking at challenges.
For those with co-occurring disorders, treatment needs to be well-rounded in a specialized treatment facility. Not just any program can provide this level of support and guidance. Yet, for men and women battling addiction and hoping to overcome anxiety and depression, treatment can work well to give you your life back.