Coping with dual diagnosis may seem challenging, but there are things you can do to improve your chances for recovery. Dual diagnosis occurs when a person is dealing with an addiction to drugs or alcohol along with a mental health problem.
Common combinations are addiction and anxiety, addiction and depression, addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but there is no limit to the combinations that people experience.
Do I Have a Dual Diagnosis?
Often people coping with the challenges of addiction have underlying mental health issues that may be contributing to or exacerbating the addiction. That means that without treating the addiction and the co-occurring mental health disorder, a person has a higher-than-average risk for relapse. Sometimes dual diagnosis is called a co-occurring disorder.
Keys to Coping with a Dual Diagnosis
It is important to seek professional, specialized help. Not every addiction program or mental health center can deal with dual diagnosis. You deserve expert care, not a facility that is going to treat only one issue and send you somewhere else to deal with the other. Coordinated care is essential to your long term recovery.
Commit to working on both issues. It may not feel like it, but you are strong enough to cope with both issues at the same time. Dual diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but with the right professional help and support you can overcome what life has put in your way and regain control.
Seek our specialized support groups. Coping with dual diagnosis isn’t the same as coping with only depression or only alcoholism. Seek our specialized support groups designed to bring together others who are dealing with the same challenges. You may not only find comfort in knowing you aren’t alone, but you’ll likely make new friends along the way!
Continue your care even after you’ve left treatment. As you probably already know, coping with addiction is a life-long process. The same is true for people coping with a chronic mental health condition like anxiety or depression.
Don’t think that just because you have graduated treatment that your journey is over- instead seek out after care opportunities through an alumni group or other group in your area. Recovery is waiting for you, and support is available for your journey.
Dual diagnosis can be challenging, but the keys to success are simple. Remember, you don’t have to go at it alone. Seek out support on your journey, you’ll be glad you did! If you or someone you love is suffering from the effects of alcohol abuse, substance addiction or any other type of addiction along side a mental health problem, please call us today.
Our addiction treatment counselors can help you deal with physical, emotional and psychological consequences of drug and alcohol abuse and dual diagnosis. A substance abuse treatment program can be 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.
