How Do Dual Diagnosis Treatment Programs Work?
Decades ago, it was believed that a person had to overcome addiction before they could be treated for mental health conditions. Unfortunately, this treatment model left many clients with the same issues that contributed to their addiction and put them at a much higher risk of relapse. Medical professionals realized that mental illness could lead to substance abuse and vice versa, so addressing one condition at a time was providing incomplete, ineffective treatment.
At Olympic Behavioral Health, our dual diagnosis treatment program involves:
- A strong emphasis on individual therapy for mental health disorders – This can include conditions like anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.
- Medication management for mental health treatment – You may meet with a physician or psychiatrist who can prescribe antidepressants, anti-psychotics, or anti-anxiety medications.
- Medications to ease withdrawal symptoms and cravings – If you struggle with withdrawal discomfort as you begin your recovery journey, medications can be administered to alleviate the pain and cravings.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) – These can help you expel problematic behaviors and choose healthy behaviors conducive to your recovery. CBT and DBT can also help decrease your risk of relapse by teaching you how to manage triggers more effectively.
- Group therapy – These sessions provide opportunities for healthy social interactions, sharing recovery experiences, and learning coping skills.
- Family therapy – This type of counseling can help facilitate healthier communication, rebuild trust, and teach appropriate boundaries. Your family members can also learn how to support you through your dual diagnosis treatment without enabling you or unintentionally interfering with your progress.
You may notice similar characteristics between dual diagnosis treatment and other addiction treatment programs. The main difference with dual diagnosis is a heavier focus on treating mental health issues so that you can be better equipped for a healthy recovery.
Substance use disorders are often accompanied by mental health conditions that can exacerbate addiction and make it difficult to maintain sobriety. Both conditions need to be addressed simultaneously for the most effective treatment, which can be done at dual diagnosis treatment centers. Dual diagnosis simply means that a person is diagnosed with a substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health disorder.