What is a Dual Diagnosis Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center?

Addiction is when a person engages in compulsive substance use despite known harmful consequences. They are unable to stop on their own. They’ve lost power over the substance—it now controls them.

It is common for people to suffer from both addictions and mental health issues. In the United States, approximately 8.9 million people have both mental health and substance abuse issues. This is referred to as dual disorders. And this is why dual diagnosis treatment is so important.

Dual diagnosis treatment is designed to meet the complex needs of those suffering from addiction and a co-occurring mental health condition.

More than half of those struggling with dual disorders don’t receive treatment for either disorder. If you or someone you love is struggling, speak confidentially with a certified counselor now, call (844) 747-7772.

What is a dual diagnosis? And why is it important for someone suffering from addiction and a secondary mental health problem to receive dual diagnosis treatment?

What is Dual Diagnosis?

An example of a dual diagnosis would be someone who suffers from alcoholism and post-traumatic stress disorder. In such a combination, it may be that the experience of trauma led to alcohol abuse as a means of alleviating the psychological and emotional effects.

Similarly, people with a panic disorder or other anxiety-related issues may develop a substance use disorder attempting to self-medicate. There are many mental health concerns which carry higher instances of addiction, depression and bipolar disorder are two solid examples.

The Relationship Between Addiction and Mental Illness

A recent Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) study demonstrated that those who struggled with mental health issues abused drugs and/or alcohol at more than double the rate of the general public.

People who suffer with mental illness may attempt to self-medicate their symptoms with drugs and/or alcohol. When the high wears off, however, the symptoms of their mental issues return, amplified, more pronounced than they were before.

People with an addiction aren’t thinking clearly. There are chemical changes going on in the brain that cause cravings for the substance to intensify. And with every use it gets harder and harder to stop. Brain imaging has shown these brain changes, and how they impair judgment, decision making, memory and behavior.

Here is what is known:

1. Common risk factors can contribute to both mental illness and substance use and addiction.
2. Mental illness may contribute to substance use and addiction.
3. Substance use and addiction can contribute to the development of mental illness.

Common Dual Diagnosis / Co-Occurring Disorders

Those struggling with drug or alcohol addiction or an eating disorder are also commonly found to face:

• Anxiety disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Depression
• Personality disorder
• Schizophrenia

Why is Dual Diagnosis Treatment Important?

If there is some type of correlation between addiction and a mental health or mood disorder, treating one without the other can be problematic. For instance, a person battling to overcome their substance abuse problem through treatment would likely encounter difficulty maintaining sobriety while symptoms of their mental health or mood disorder go untreated.

A dual diagnosis drug or alcohol treatment program can provide dual diagnosis clients the most care for their complex needs. Dual-diagnosis treatment programs have two goals: helping a client overcome their addiction and helping them to manage the mental health or mood disorder so their symptoms become less likely to trigger a relapse.

Honey Lake Clinic’s dual diagnosis program offers specialized, integrated treatment for patients who are suffering from both addictions and mental health issues.

Honey Lake Clinic’s Dual Diagnosis Program is unique, offering specialized, integrated treatment
for patients who are suffering from both addictions and mental health issues. Our treatment program will bring wholeness, healing, and restoration to your life.

Honey Lake Clinic’s holistic program treats each client on three different levels:

• Spiritual: Helping you grow closer to God, apply His truths, and discern His will for you.
• Psychological: Teaching decision-making skills to help you cope with underlying struggles.
• Physical: Using therapy and medication, if needed, to re-circuit or renew your mind.

The individualized treatment by our highly trained staff at Honey Lake is complemented by a supportive, healing environment that is conducive for a complete transformation of your mind, body, and spirit.