Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Lubbock, TX
A dual diagnosis is made when a mental illness, such as anxiety or depression, co-occurs with an addiction. Dual diagnosis treatment in Lubbock is a specialized program for treating both the addiction and the mental illness, and it's essential for successful recovery from both conditions.
The Prevalence of Dual Diagnosis
Co-occurring disorders are very common. One-third of all people who have a mental illness--and half of those with a serious mental illness -- are also addicted to drugs or alcohol, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Additionally, one-third of people who are addicted to alcohol and half of those who are addicted to drugs also suffer from a mental illness.
Why Mental Illness and Addiction Often Co-Occur
Research shows that addiction and mental illness are likely to co-occur for a couple of reasons. First, people with a mental illness are likely to use drugs to self-medicate depression, anxiety, OCD, and other mental illnesses. But while drugs may seem to reduce the intensity of some of the symptoms, they almost always make the mental illness worse.
Secondly, chronic drug and alcohol use change the structures and functions of the brain and often cause the onset of a mental illness that didn't exist before.
The Most Common Co-Occurring Mental Illnesses
Depression and anxiety are the most common mental illnesses, and they often co-occur with addiction.
Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, also commonly accompanies an addiction. PTSD results from being a witness to or victim of a traumatic event like sexual assault, a natural disaster, or violence. The symptoms of PTSD -- including insomnia, nightmares, flashbacks, anger, and anxiety--may seem better under the influence, but they nearly always make the symptoms much worse over time.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder and eating disorders are other mental illnesses that frequently occur with addiction. Alcohol and drugs are often used to reduce compulsions or suppress the appetite.
Addiction is highly prevalent among those suffering from severe mental illnesses, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Our drug rehab in Lubbock treats these co-occurring disorders with the most care.
Why Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Lubbock is Essential
Dual diagnosis treatment in Lubbock is a specialized program that's essential for successful recovery from addiction and a co-occurring mental illness. Dual diagnosis treatment programs address both the addiction and the mental illness at the same time. According to a large body of research, treating just the mental illness has little effect on the addiction, and treating only the addiction has little effect on the mental illness. Treating only one or the other is largely ineffective for improving either condition.
Dual diagnosis treatment programs specialize in treating the addiction in the context of the mental illness, and vice-versa. Treatment teams for both disorders collaborate to provide integrated treatment programs in Lubbock that have been shown to be highly successful for ending the addiction and getting the mental illness under control, resulting in a higher quality of life and greater sense of well-being.
Treatment Therapies Commonly Used in Dual Diagnosis Treatment Programs
Dual diagnosis treatment in Lubbock draws on a number of traditional and complementary therapies to treat the addiction and the mental illness. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration stresses that a holistic approach that addresses all of an individual's issues -- from relationships and health issues to legal and financial problems -- offers the best chances at long-term successful recovery from both disorders.
Traditional therapies commonly used in dual diagnosis treatment include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy, which helps you identify harmful and unhelpful thought and behavior patterns and learn to think and behave in healthier ways.
- Pharmacotherapy, or the use of medications, which helps to relieve the symptoms of the mental illness and can reduce cravings for drugs or alcohol. It's important to note that medication and therapy combined is the best way to treat a dual diagnosis.
- Family therapy, which helps to restore function to the family system and improve communication among family members for healthier, happier relationships.
- Psychoeducational classes, which are part education and part therapy and help individuals better understand how addiction and mental illness occur and how they're successfully treated.
- Complementary therapies used in dual diagnosis rehab include:
- Art therapy, which helps you work through difficult emotions and experiences, relieves stress, and improves self-awareness.
- Yoga, which improves physical and mental balance and flexibility, increases self- and body-awareness, and relieves stress.
- Biofeedback, during which you learn to reduce stress on the spot with deep breathing and visualization exercises.
- Nature therapy, which improves self-confidence, self-efficacy, and communication skills as well as reduces stress.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment Can Restore Your Life
Dual diagnosis rehab works. It helps to get your mental illness under control and end your addiction to drugs or alcohol for the long-term. During treatment, you'll discover amazing things about yourself and develop a toolkit of skills and strategies to cope with mental illness symptoms, cravings, stress, and other potent triggers for relapse.
You'll work to find purpose and meaning in a life without drugs or alcohol, and you'll learn how to have fun, find joy, and be yourself again in a life of sobriety. Call us now at (877) 804-1531.