A dual diagnosis refers to having a substance use disorder and a mental health condition at the same time. If you have a drug or alcohol addiction and struggle with your mental health, dual diagnosis treatment programs to deal with dual diagnosis symptoms are often the most effective option to recover from both conditions.
To experience a full recovery from mental health and addiction challenges, you need to choose a treatment center that knows how to treat dual diagnosis symptoms effectively. Promises Five Palms has the expertise to help those exhibiting dual diagnosis symptoms to overcome addiction and manage mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. With our help, you can live a fuller, more satisfying life. Therefore, call us today at 1.844.675.1022 to learn more about our evidence-based dual diagnosis treatment program.
What Are Dual Diagnosis Symptoms?
Substance use disorders and mental health conditions have some overlapping symptoms, which can sometimes make it difficult to determine if your symptoms are related to addiction or mental illness. For example, someone with an anxiety disorder may turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with anxiety symptoms. Substances may reduce anxiety temporarily but can then worsen it in the long run. And on the opposite end, changes in the brain that occur from long-term substance abuse can lead to symptoms of depression.
Here are some examples of common symptoms of addiction and mental health conditions:
Symptoms of Substance Use Disorders
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Tremors
Symptoms of Mental Health Conditions
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Delusions
- Eating disorders
- Hallucinations
- Self-harm
- Suicidal thoughts
Substance use disorders and mental health conditions are commonly found together. Many people with mental health disorders self-medicate with drugs or alcohol. This is especially if they do not receive proper treatment to manage their symptoms. Left untreated, these co-occurring disorders will only get worse with time.
How to Treat Dual Diagnosis Symptoms
Without an accurate diagnosis, many people with addiction and mental health disorders struggle to overcome their conditions. In fact, treating one condition without addressing the other leads to incomplete treatment and a high risk for relapse.
For instance, if a person with addiction and depression goes through an addiction treatment program that focuses solely on abstinence from drugs or alcohol, they may experience some short-term success with sobriety. But once the symptoms of depression start to creep back up and become overbearing, it may be too difficult to resist turning to substances for relief. By addressing depression during addiction treatment, this individual can learn how to manage drug or alcohol cravings and symptoms of depression to maintain their recovery.
Treating dual diagnosis symptoms requires:
- Detox – This step is often necessary for moderate to severe addictions to help you safely rid your body of substances.
- Medication – To alleviate dual diagnosis symptoms, you may need a combination of medications, such as anti-anxiety, antidepressant, antipsychotic, and addiction treatment medications. These can help keep you comfortable and more emotionally balanced so you can focus on healing.
- Behavioral therapy – Therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) are beneficial for addiction and mental health conditions. Also, you can explore the underlying causes of addiction and learn how to manage stress and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders.
Dual diagnosis treatment may also include assistance with obtaining employment, sober housing, or social services. Some treatment facilities may also help with job skills development and social skills training. In fact, this is necessary to improve your overall productivity and quality of life.
Heal Your Mental Health with Dual Diagnosis Treatment at Promises Five Palms
At Promises Five Palms, we understand how to treat dual diagnosis symptoms with an individualized program of medication and therapies. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health and addiction, please feel free to contact us at 1.844.675.1022 for more information on how we can help.
