Many people with substance use disorder (SUD) have co-occurring mental health disorders that affect their quality of life and ability to function. According to MedlinePlus, “If you have a dual diagnosis, it is usually better to treat both conditions at the same time rather than separately.” Renaissance Ranch treats co-occurring addiction and mental health disorders using evidence-based and holistic therapies. People heal more quickly and maintain sobriety more easily if they gain the skills necessary to address any co-occurring disorders simultaneously.
What Is Dual Diagnosis?
Dual diagnosis, also called co-occurring conditions, involves a simultaneous diagnosis of a substance use disorder (SUD) and one or more mental health disorders. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “Mental health and substance use disorders affect people from all walks of life and all age groups.” Some people have multiple co-occurring conditions that affect their mental health during rehabilitation for SUD. Dual diagnosis treatment addresses all active and underlying conditions at the same time to reduce the risk of relapse and improve program adherence.
Individuals with dual diagnoses may struggle to connect with peers, engage in treatment, or maintain self-care. Addressing a dual diagnosis helps clients understand the potential impact and effects of co-occurring conditions. Renaissance Ranch treats dual diagnoses using psychotherapy, peer support, family therapy, and many other therapeutic modalities.
Connections Between Mental Health Disorders and Addictive Behaviors
Mental health disorders can affect how people react to and manage addiction. Those who experience mental health issues during rehabilitation often experience more severe or prolonged symptoms unless they take steps to improve their self-care and manage their mental health symptoms.
The primary connections between mental health disorders and addiction include the following:
- People may abuse substances to cope with mental health disorders.
- Side effects and symptoms of mental health disorders may cause addictive behaviors.
- Addiction may lead to mental health issues or trauma.
- The two conditions may develop independently.
A lot of misinformation, disinformation, and stigma exist surrounding mental health and addiction. Renaissance Ranch educates clients, families, and the local community about the realities of SUD treatment and recovery. Clients and their loved ones are provided with the information and resources to successfully navigate the recovery from co-occurring conditions.
How Does Dual Diagnosis Impact Treatment?
Co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders impact how people respond to treatment and the severity of symptoms. Individuals with one or more co-occurring conditions have a higher risk of experiencing more severe, persistent, or complex symptoms and side effects of SUD. Treatment programs provide emotional and practical support to ensure clients feel confident managing their conditions during and after therapy. Through intensive support and ongoing resources, clients learn to incorporate self-care into their daily lives.
Dual diagnoses may affect rehabilitation by doing the following:
- Complicating treatment plans
- Increasing the risk of relapse
- Creating challenges with medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
- Reducing treatment adherence
- Increasing the risk of a misdiagnosis
- Necessitating the need for more extended treatment
- Requiring more specialized care
Psychotherapy is a cornerstone of dual diagnosis treatment. People benefit from actively participating in individual and group therapy to explore their feelings, thoughts, and beliefs related to addiction and mental health. Therapy sessions also teach essential skill development and emotion regulation. Many clients require a combination of prescription medication and psychotherapy to effectively treat more complex co-occurring mental health disorders.
Using Medication and Therapy for Optimal Mental Health
Medication can help clients manage more severe symptoms of mental health disorders until they have the opportunity to address them in therapy. The combination of medication and therapy often provides the best results and increases the likelihood of long-term success.
Individuals with SUD may struggle to overcome challenges related to co-occurring mental health issues during treatment and aftercare. Prescription medications make it easier for individuals to manage their condition and overcome setbacks in recovery.
Some of the most common forms of therapy used to treat a dual diagnosis include the following:
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Motivational interviewing (MI)
- Trauma therapy
Therapists may use multiple forms of psychotherapy to help clients navigate recovery. Collaboration between clients and clinicians improves care and ensures clients receive the type of support they need to heal from the effects of dual diagnosis. Medication is only used when necessary to ensure the comfort and safety of clients during rehabilitation.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment at Renaissance Ranch
Renaissance Ranch uses an integrative approach to care that incorporates multiple therapeutic modalities and support services. Diagnosing and treating mental health disorders may be challenging for clients with more severe symptoms of SUD. The care team uses comprehensive screening tools to ensure that clients receive an accurate diagnosis and the best care to address their specific needs.
A Personalized Approach to Ensure Appropriate Care
Dual diagnoses can be tricky to treat depending on many factors, including the type of co-occurring condition, severity of symptoms, and level of support the client has at home. A personalized approach to client care helps the team consider all factors, ensuring that clients with dual diagnoses have access to appropriate and effective treatments.
Renaissance Ranch encourages family members of those with a dual diagnosis to actively participate in treatment and ongoing recovery. Families receive instructions on how to best support loved ones. Clinicians help to reduce the risk of relapse by preparing families and clients for the realities of managing mental health disorders and SUD long-term.
Successfully treating mental health and addiction requires time, consistency, and a strong support network. At Renaissance Ranch, we prioritize the health, safety, and comfort of our clients. Co-occurring conditions are treated using evidence-based and holistic therapies. Clients learn to effectively manage their conditions and cope with their symptoms to prepare them for long-term sobriety. Peer support and family therapy help clients build a strong support network to reduce the risk of relapse and improve treatment outcomes. During inpatient or outpatient treatment, we address dual diagnosis using various therapeutic modalities and support services. We believe that personalized treatment plans ensure the best possible outcomes. To learn more about our programs and dual diagnosis treatments, call our office today at (801) 308-8898.