Co-Occurring Disorders

At Excel, we pride ourselves on treating each one of our clients as an individual and understand that no two people’s addictions are the same.

We take every aspect of a client’s life into account so we can design a personalized treatment program. For treatment to be effective, this must include mental health. In doing this, our treatment is integrative.

Integrative treatment gives our clients the best possible chance at successful and sustained recovery. Co-occurring disorders, or dual diagnosis, is when someone experiences mental health symptoms and substance use disorder (SUD) at the same time. Although it can be a scary and isolating experience, it is more common than people think.

If you or a loved one have a dual diagnosis, it is important to get help. Substance abuse disorders and mental health conditions don’t get better on their own. In fact, they will likely get worse.

However, suffering from a dual diagnosis does not mean that we are helpless. With integrated treatment, it is possible to recover. At Excel, we believe that your past does not have to define your future. We aim to help our clients regain control of their lives by delivering customized recovery programs.

Often, if people aren’t getting the help they need for an existing mental health disorder, they will self-medicate. This can temporarily reduce the symptoms, but it is not sustainable. In the long-term, this can lead to dependence and addiction. It can often worsen the very symptoms the person was trying to improve, and this starts a vicious cycle of use and abuse.

Alcohol and drug use can increase the risk of developing a mental health disorder. There are many causes, so it can be hard to find the exact one.

It is thought that we can be genetically predisposed to developing mental health problems. If we add substance use to this, it can be enough to cause a mental health condition to develop, reports Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology.

Drugs and alcohol can also interact with psychiatric medication such as antidepressants, anxiety medication, and mood stabilizers. This causes unpleasant side effects and can also reduce how effective they are at managing symptoms.

A correct diagnosis is very important. To deliver proper treatment, we need to make sure we are addressing the right issue. According to the journal Alcohol Health and Research World, misdiagnosis is a huge issue that affects dual diagnosis clients, and this can be a barrier to recovery.

At Excel, we treat mental health symptoms with the respect they deserve. We take care never to overlook or underestimate mental health symptoms. We look into every issue our clients have and make sure the treatment plan we offer is personalized to clients’ specific needs.

At Excel, we believe the most effective way of treating a co-occurring disorder is with an integrated approach. This involves treating the substance abuse problem at the same time as the mental health disorder. Because these two conditions can impact each other, treatment for both is essential for a successful recovery.

We carry out a thorough assessment process. This involves asking detailed questions about a client’s background, personal history, and family history. This might seem intrusive, but it allows us to give our clients the best possible treatment. All of your information will be completely confidential.

Substance use disorders are complex conditions. They are often related to issues in our relationship with ourselves, to others, and in our family dynamics. For therapy to be effective, it should encompass all elements of our relationship health.

We offer a range of individual, group, and family-based therapies for substance abuse. The first step is usually a clinical detox. This allows the client’s body to rid itself of toxins and begin to regain chemical balance.

Treatment for mental health problems may include medication, individual or group counseling, self-help measures, lifestyle changes, and peer support.

Treatment will also involve medications for symptom management when necessary. Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication can help the support the brain as it begins to return to a normal state of being, and creates a stronger position for effectively engaging in therapy.

At Excel, our mental health services cover a broad range of mental health conditions. The conditions we treat are some of the most common co-occurring disorders seen in addiction clients.