Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Bowling Green, OH
Understanding what dual diagnosis means is important for educational purposes (for both an addict and loved ones of an addict.) While addiction specialists used to focus on treating only the underlying substance abuse, research now suggests that treating both conditions at the same time is the key to successful dual diagnosis treatment in Bowling Green.
A dual diagnosis is a medical term for a person who suffers from both a substance abuse addiction and a mental health disorder. These two conditions commonly co-occur, yet the effects of how each impacts the other haven't been well-studied or appreciated until more recent times.
Those who experience a dual diagnosis present unique challenges in terms of substance abuse treatment. First, many people abuse drugs or alcohol as a means of self-medication for their mental illness. While drugs aren't an effective treatment for a mental health disorder, they can mask some of the symptoms and emotions a person may be feeling. When a person stops abusing drugs or alcohol, mental illness symptoms may return and may be more pronounced than usual.
These challenges mean that a person with a dual diagnosis will experience better results through seeking an inpatient dual diagnosis treatment center. While a person with a dual diagnosis may ultimately require a slightly longer stay at our inpatient rehab in Bowling Green, they can experience positive results in achieving and maintaining sobriety with respect to their mental illness.
Types of Mental Health Disorders
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), an estimated one-third of all people who have a mental health disorder struggle with substance abuse. The number increases to one-half in those with a severe mental illness, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. According to NAMI, some people are at greater risk for dual diagnosis. These include men, those who have served in the military, and those of lower socioeconomic status.
Dual diagnosis treatment in Bowling Green can provide assistance for those struggling with a number of different types of mental health disorders. These include treatments for mental health disorders such as:
- Bipolar disorder: This severe mental illness can cause a person to experience strong fluctuations between feelings of depression and a highly elevated mood known as mania. The highs and lows of bipolar disorder can severely affect a person's overall health and behavior.
- Anxiety: Anxiety is a condition that causes a person to experience a strong, yet irrational, sense of fear and panic. Some people may experience such strong anxiety they fear going outside. A person will commonly self-medicate with drugs as a means to relieve these panicked sensations.
- Schizophrenia: This condition causes a person to lose touch with reality and experiences sights, sounds, and even smells of things that are not there. This condition is a severe mental illness that dramatically impacts a person's quality of life. Relapse prevention in Bowling Green is necessary to follow up with illnesses as severe as these.
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): A person with OCD will experience recurrent thoughts that may be unpleasant or repetitive in nature. The thoughts could even be so severe as to tell the person to harm themselves or others. OCD can also cause a person to engage in repetitive behaviors, such as frequent handwashing or going to check if the stove is turned off 20 or more times.
- Depression: Depression is a common condition requiring dual diagnosis treatment in Bowling Green. The condition causes a person to experience feelings of intense sadness and hopelessness. They may even contemplate that their life is not worth living.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): PTSD is a condition that causes a person to have recurrent flashbacks and depression after a traumatic event. Examples could include after a military battle or when a person has a history of abuse.
Experiencing any of these conditions along with substance abuse means a person can benefit from dual diagnosis treatment programs in Bowling Green.
Why Is Dual Diagnosis Treatment Necessary? What Are the Benefits?
Dual diagnosis treatment is vital to a person's health when they have both disorders. Historically, those with mental illness (particularly severe mental illness) have shorter lifespans and greater incidence of chronic health conditions. The addition of substance abuse addiction can increase these effects.
Dual diagnosis treatment in Bowling Green is vital because it helps a person stop using drugs that are only worsening their mental health and start to find new, healthy ways to cope with addiction. Through dual diagnosis treatment, a person can start to take medications that may reduce their mental illness symptoms.
They can receive counseling to understand why they are having the thoughts and feelings they do. Ultimately, they can start living healthier and happier lives free from the vicious cycle of drug abuse. Call us now at (877) 804-1531.