A dual diagnosis does not mean that you are doomed! Receiving a dual diagnosis means you and your rehabilitation center staff are equipped with the knowledge of what your situation is and what needs to be done in order for you to be able to enter a healthier and more stable life of recovery as well as manage the symptoms of your accompany mental health disorder(s).

The Dual Diagnosis

A dual diagnosis is when a client has been diagnosed with both addiction and at least one accompanying mental health disorder. This combination can be anything from addiction and anxiety to addiction and schizophrenia.

While having a dual diagnosis does mean that things are a bit more complicated, you can still get better! The way to receive successful treatment for a dual diagnosis is to be sure to attend a treatment program that is equipped with handling dual diagnoses in lieu of a rehabilitation center that only works on addiction.

Proper Treatment for a Dual Diagnosis

The proper way to be treated for a dual diagnosis is to receive treatment for both the addiction and the mental health disorder(s) at the same time. If you are not receiving treatment for your mental health, you are at risk for a relapse with your addiction just as if you are not receiving treatment for your addiction you can worsen or complicate your mental health. The proper treatment center is qualified to treat clients who have received a dual diagnosis.

Psychotherapy will be the main treatment method for your addiction and very likely for your mental health disorder as well (there are a few disorders such as schizophrenia that have different treatment methods as the main treatment methods such as prescription medication). Psychotherapy works to uncover the underlying causes in order to arm you with better insight into yourself. This is incredibly helpful in the treatment and recovery process. Some mental health disorders rely on the use of prescription medication for treatment such as antipsychotics or antidepressants and they are prescribed on a case by case basis by doctors of the treatment center.

Other dual diagnosis treatment methods may include stress management techniques (such as exercise, breathing exercises, and meditation) and lifestyle counseling to modify home and work lives to be the most conducive to good mental health and recovery as possible. Stress is a major trigger for both addiction and mental health disorder symptoms so it’s important to be able to manage it well.

If you or someone you love is suffering from the effects of alcohol abuse, substance addiction or any other type of addiction alongside a mental health condition, please call us today.  Our addiction treatment counselors can help you deal with physical, emotional and psychological consequences of drug and alcohol abuse.  An addiction program for substance abuse is effective, safe and has helped many men reclaim their lives. Destination Hope is a full service drug, alcohol and dual diagnosis treatment facility in Florida for men suffering from substance abuse and mental health issues.