A Dual diagnosis is made when a person struggling with addiction also suffers from another mental or behavioral health disorder. Other names for dual diagnoses are co-occurring disorders and co-morbid disorders.
Dual diagnoses are common among those struggling with addiction. If you are already addicted to a substance like alcohol or cocaine, then it is likely that another mental health condition is at play. This could be anything from generalized anxiety disorder to depression.
Research reports that those struggling with substance addiction have higher rates of mental illness than the rest of the population. According to SAMHSA, 45% of people struggling with addiction also struggle with a co-occurring mental health disorder.
Addiction and mental health disorders are closely linked. Often, a mental health disorder was present before the person developed an addiction. In some cases, heavy use of alcohol or other drugs brings an underlying mental illness to the surface.
Substance use affects our brain chemistry and can set the stage for a range of mental disorders to develop.
Sometimes, an addiction develops following attempts to ease the symptoms of a mental health disorder. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, many people who struggle with anxiety or depression habitually use alcohol or cannabis to alleviate their symptoms. Research tells us that alcohol slows down activity in the central nervous system. It acts as a social lubricant, making it a go-to drug of choice for those who struggle with social anxiety. Similarly, cannabis can offer short-term relief from symptoms of depression.
We can develop a dependence if we rely on alcohol and cannabis to relieve our anxiety and depression. When this happens, the person must then deal with having a drug dependence on top of their pre-existing mental health disorder.
The journal Psychiatric Services explains that benzodiazepines (benzos) are another commonly misused drug among those with mental health conditions. They are usually prescribed for anxiety and panic disorders.
These medications slow the body and mind and can provide relief from anxiety. They also may result in mild euphoria. As such, benzos are highly addictive. Often a dependence develops before a person is even aware that there is a problem. Stimulants, such as cocaine, are often abused alongside conditions like eating disorders or body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). Cocaine reduces our appetite. This means that regular use leads to weight loss.
Those suffering from BDD may use cocaine to change how their body looks. Similarly, people suffering from muscle dysmorphia (M.D.) use steroids for the same purpose.
At Excel Treatment Center, we understand that it is important for clients with substance use disorders (SUDs) to receive an accurate diagnosis of another mental health condition when they come to us for treatment.
In the past, it was believed that addiction and mental health disorders should be treated as separate conditions.
Now, it is understood that addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders are closely linked. This means they should be treated together. If not, the symptoms of one make the other’s symptoms worse, and this can increase the risk of relapse.
The best approach to treating co-occurring SUD and mental health disorders is comprehensive, integrated treatment. With integrated treatment, both conditions are considered when creating a treatment program.
This considers the relationship between the client’s substance abuse and their mental health condition.
Excel treatment has changed my life! The staff starting from the intake process, to all the clinicians are amazing! I really enjoy that. Most of the staff are in recovery and relate to me I have been shown so much support, understanding, and accommodation above and beyond!
Excel offers a range of integrated treatment services. These are specially designed to help those suffering from co-occurring disorders.
Some of the benefits include:
Experts must treat co-occurring disorders. This gives the best chance at a successful recovery. At Excel, our recovery specialists have extensive combined experience in treating co-occurring disorders. We have a team of professionally trained therapists, psychiatrists, counselors, and medical staff. They will determine the safest, most appropriate course of treatment for your co-occurring disorders.
By collaborating in treatment with our recovery specialists, you can work towards a successful recovery with understanding support the whole way through.
We know that most people are unfamiliar with how the rehabilitation process works. This is completely normal – our application process is designed to be as simple as possible. Our caring staff will provide all of the guidance you or your loved one needs to make the journey into recovery as streamlined as possible.
We specialize in offering treatment to younger adults and adults in mid-life. At the Excel Center, we believe that recovery is possible for anyone, no matter what age or background. However, different groups of people face different challenges. As such, we make sure that the treatments we offer are varied and meet each of our clients’ exact needs. We consider the different life experiences, pressures, and histories of everyone who seeks help from us.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, anxiety is one of the most common mental health disorders in the U.S. There are several types of anxiety disorder. All are characterized by excessive worry and fearful thinking.
Anxiety is a powerful condition that can drive those suffering to engage in avoidant behaviors. Avoidant behaviors are things we do to cope with our overwhelming feelings of anxiety. An example of this is the use of substances to self-medicate.
Alcohol, cannabis, and prescription drugs are all used to reduce anxiety symptoms. However, this only works for a short time. Unless anxiety is treated at its root cause, it will continue to affect the person. Any relief found from substances is short-lived, and the anxiety symptoms soon return.
Through repeated substance use, those suffering from anxiety disorders may become addicted to their drug of choice. The combination of anxiety and substance addiction makes treatment for both more complicated. Still, it is possible, as long as it is led by experts in co-occurring disorder treatment.
Depression is also one of the most common mental health disorders worldwide. WHO reports that around 264 million people globally suffer from depression.
Some of the symptoms include:
The symptoms of depression can be difficult to live with. As a means of escape, many sufferers turn to substances to cope. However, the use of substances only worsens depression in the long-term.
The symptoms return when the substance wears off. If a person continues to use substances to self-medicate their symptoms, they are likely to develop a dependence and eventually an addiction.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a stress-related condition that develops after exposure to a traumatic event or a series of events.
Events which can cause PTSD include:
PTSD has very powerful and long-lasting symptoms. These include:
The symptoms can be so upsetting that using substances to self-medicate can seem like the only option. However, drug and alcohol abuse can extend the length of time that you have PTSD.
Many people suffering choose to use drugs and alcohol and continue to do so despite the negative consequences. This leads to dependence and addiction and complicates treatment for both PTSD and the newly developed addiction.
According to the U.K.’s NHS, bipolar disorder occurs due to imbalances in our brain chemistry. These imbalances lead to sudden, uncontrollable episodes of mania and depression. People with bipolar disorder often use substances to regain some sense of control over their brain chemistry.
Common drugs of abuse, such as alcohol or MDMA/Ecstasy, have a strong effect on our brains chemistry. When a person with bipolar disorder repeatedly uses drugs and alcohol to regulate their mood, they are at a high risk of developing a substance use disorder.
Eating disorders and substance addiction share many similarities. Eating disorders are related to the brain’s reward system. Common eating disorders include anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (B.N.), and binge eating disorder (BED).
Eating disorders and SUDs involve a compulsion to engage in unhealthy behavior and feelings of guilt, shame, or emptiness once the compulsion has been satisfied.
According to the International Journal of Eating Disorders, substance abuse is common among those suffering from eating disorders. For example, many people with AN engage in nicotine, alcohol, and cocaine use for their ability to suppress appetite.
Anorexia puts sufferers at risk of dangerously low body weight. The risk is heightened when the person also abuses substances.
Once a substance addiction develops, those suffering from eating disorders face a serious health risk that must be addressed as soon as possible.
At Excel Treatment Center, we can provide a fully customized treatment and recovery program for you or your loved one. Clients struggling with co-occurring disorders are offered the latest evidence-based treatments for addiction and mental health conditions.
Treatment is led by our team of addiction and mental health specialists. These clinicians are skilled in determining which types of treatment is most appropriate for your specific recovery needs.
Treatment approaches delivered at Excel include:
At Excel Treatment Center, our comprehensive anxiety and addiction treatment and recovery services can make a huge difference in your life or the life of your loved one. Our therapists and clinicians work in collaboration with clients, so they achieve as much benefit as possible from our treatment programs.
The road to recovery begins with the decision to reach out for help. As soon as you contact us, we can arrange an initial appointment to assess the severity of your addiction and check for the presence of co-occurring disorders. If necessary, treatment may begin with a medically assisted and supervised detox. This is an essential step in healing the body from the damage that has been caused by prolonged substance abuse.
When we stop using drugs, the body enters a withdrawal phase, which can vary in length depending on the nature of the addiction. Withdrawal symptoms are one of the biggest obstacles to recovery. This is a time when people face increased anxiety, depression, and other physical and psychological difficulties, and the body needs time to adjust to life without substances. During this time, there will be feelings of deep discomfort and anxiety, along with intense cravings.
Once detox is completed, and withdrawal symptoms are under control, rehabilitation treatment can begin. We use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and other psychotherapies in conjunction with mind-body therapies to identify and work through the root cause of anxiety and promote full recovery.
Addiction has many causes, but very often, its origins lie in past traumas. Our therapists offer safe and compassionate support to clients as they explore their past experiences and uncover the origins of their present-day issues.
After the primary treatment program is finished, clients will be supported with comprehensive aftercare, which is important for those in recovery to prevent relapse. Sobriety is a commitment and can be hindered without the right support after treatment. Aftercare at Excel involves the continuation of therapy and prescribed medication if necessary.
At Excel, we aim to provide you with the most appropriate recovery program for your specific needs. We offer individually tailored programs and consider all aspects of our clients’ lives to create treatment programs that maximize the benefits for each individual.
Our team is compassionate and non-judgmental. We understand that addiction and anxiety can turn a person’s life upside down, and we aim to create the straightest line from sickness to health and remove any obstacles along the way. Our recovery specialists are also happy to provide any advice or guidance to families or loved ones of those affected at every step of the way.
If you or a loved one are struggling with anxiety and addiction, know that help is available. The first and most important step is reaching out, so please contact us today.
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Excel Treatment Center is an addiction treatment center in New Jersey that offers high-quality treatment designed around each client’s personal needs.
