Co-occurring mental health disorders, also known as dual diagnosis or comorbidity, are common in the context of addiction treatment. Individuals with substance use disorders often experience other mental health issues concurrently as either a symptom of substance abuse or an extension of what led them towards it in the first place.
So, if someone in Ventura County is looking at a California addiction recovery center offering dual diagnosis treatment, what does this mean exactly? Well, to better explain that, we took the approach of making things simpler before diving deeper, and for now, simple is where we’ll go.
The Kind of Co-occurring Mental Disorders Often Found in Addiction Treatment
Dual diagnosis occurs when two or more disorders occur, whether independent of each other (though that is highly unlikely) or due to one or the other. The co-occurrence of these disorders can complicate treatment and recovery, as they may interact and exacerbate each other, perhaps even blocking any prospect of recovery from a disease until after it is somewhat treated.
These co-occurring disorders do not happen exclusively in people suffering from some addiction, so it needs to be understood that it is not the only cause for it. That being said, some of the common co-occurring mental health disorders, in addiction or otherwise, include:
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Depression
Depression is frequently seen alongside substance use disorders. People may use drugs or alcohol as a way to self-medicate and alleviate depressive symptoms. A common example is when someone ‘drowns their sorrows’ at a bar after a long day or drinks heavily on Friday nights after a long week. Soon this becomes a habit, and not long after that can become an addiction.
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Anxiety Disorders
Conditions like generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder can co-occur with addiction. Individuals may use substances to cope with anxiety symptoms. Some medication can have addictive properties as well, leading to addiction or even symptoms of addiction that can exacerbate into other issues.
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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Trauma, including experiences like abuse or combat, can lead to PTSD, which may drive individuals to use substances to numb emotional pain. PTSD can often occur through external means, and withdrawal symptoms are exacerbated, promptly leading to more addiction. This can also make treating addiction more complicated.
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Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder involves extreme mood swings, including depressive and manic episodes. Substances may be used to self-medicate during depressive or manic states, and it is very difficult for the individual to attain any sense of control or self-awareness during these episodes. This can make treating either disease or affliction a monumental task for both individual and helper.
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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD is characterized by persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). Substance use can become a way to cope with the distress caused by OCD, especially through addictive medication, as OCD can significantly hamper quality of life and get in the way of regular, often necessary tasks that would otherwise be simple and straightforward.
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Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
People with ADHD may be more vulnerable to addiction, as substances can temporarily alleviate symptoms like restlessness and impulsivity. Due to the lack of attention, drugs that mitigate the attention deficit can lead to addiction, or worse, especially if medication becomes necessary.
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Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Individuals with BPD often struggle with intense mood swings and impulsivity, which may lead to substance abuse as a coping mechanism. Similar to Bipolar Disorder, treating either issue can become a huge hurdle in treating addiction. Most treatment centers for addiction alleviate this by having full-time, live-in nurses and care staff to help rehabilitate patients.
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Schizophrenia
While less common, schizophrenia can co-occur with addiction. Substance abuse may be an attempt to self-medicate or cope with hallucinations and delusions. The cognitive and memory loss can further complicate matters, often requiring full-time rehabilitation as opposed to the patient retaining their independence. A California addiction recovery center might similarly employ full-time staff for such cases.
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Eating Disorders
Conditions like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder can co-occur with addiction, as individuals may use substances to manage body image issues or control appetite. At times, substance abuse can lead to eating disorders and abnormal weight loss, which leads to more substance abuse to treat the disorder, thus creating a vicious cycle. These issues can be difficult to treat effectively and often require complete lifestyle changes.
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Personality Disorders
Various personality disorders, such as antisocial, narcissistic, or avoidant personality disorders, can co-occur with addiction and complicate treatment. Antisocial people might not have a support system and narcissistic individuals might avoid even readily available support systems, just to give a few examples.
It’s crucial to identify and treat both the substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health disorders simultaneously. Recognizing them is a whole another story, which can take days, weeks, months, or even years to fully understand. Integrated treatment programs that address both aspects of an individual’s condition tend to be more effective in achieving lasting recovery. This often involves a combination of therapy, medication, support groups, and lifestyle changes tailored to the specific needs of the person in treatment that a treatment center for addiction might possess. That means treating addiction is not just about therapy, but about a whole bundle of processes and treatment options that include therapy, rehabilitation, and much more.
How Treatment Centers for Addiction Handle Dual Diagnosis
Addressing co-occurring mental health disorders alongside addiction is of paramount importance in addiction treatment. This dual diagnosis approach recognizes that substance abuse and mental health issues often go hand in hand. This is especially true for many individuals seeking addiction treatment in California, where high-stress environments and access to various substances can exacerbate underlying mental health conditions.
Recognition, Connection, and Planning
Many individuals with addiction issues also struggle with co-occurring mental health disorders. These mental health conditions can range from depression and anxiety to more severe disorders like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, and at times interact with each other to significantly exacerbate each other’s effects and symptoms.
Substance abuse can exacerbate mental health symptoms, and conversely, untreated mental health issues can drive individuals to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol. Dual diagnosis treatment is essential because it acknowledges that both addiction and mental health disorders need to be addressed simultaneously for comprehensive healing. If only one aspect is treated, the untreated issue can become a trigger for relapse or hinder recovery progress, or even lead to a worse condition after an initial recovery period.
Most recovery centers assess each patient thoroughly to determine the presence of co-occurring disorders through long-term support. Treatment plans are then tailored to address the unique needs of each individual, taking both conditions into account.
Treatment and Post-Treatment Support
Recovery centers typically employ multidisciplinary teams consisting of addiction specialists, psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, and counselors. It is a collaborative effort with both the patient and the healthcare professionals providing treatment. These teams collaborate to provide a holistic approach to treatment, combining therapy, medication (if necessary), and support.
In some cases, medication may be prescribed to manage the symptoms of mental health disorders. Medication management ensures that individuals receive the right dosage and type of medication, minimizing the risk of misuse. The Opioid crisis was an addiction-focused crisis at its core, and it does give an idea of how medication of one issue can lead to a worsening condition exacerbating the original problem—which also goes undetected.
Psychotherapies like CBT, DBT, and trauma-informed therapy are often used to address both addiction and mental health issues. These therapies help individuals develop coping strategies and emotional regulation skills. It is a method to empower the patient to help them attain better overall self-dependence. However, it’s not always possible depending on the condition and severity of the patient’s addiction and other issues.
To help with that, dual diagnosis treatment emphasizes relapse prevention strategies that consider both addiction triggers and mental health triggers. Patients learn to recognize and manage stressors that can lead to a relapse in either condition, and if the patients can’t, the practitioners do through long-term post-treatment support. Individuals with dual diagnoses often benefit from ongoing support through aftercare programs. This support helps individuals maintain their recovery and manage their mental health.
Raising Awareness of Dual Diagnosis and Co-occurrence
Recovery centers should put resources into educating patients and their families about the relationship between addiction and mental health. This awareness reduces stigma and encourages open communication, fostering a supportive environment.
In California, which has a well-developed healthcare system and some of the highest number of cases of substance abuse, many recovery centers have embraced the dual diagnosis approach due to its effectiveness. By addressing both addiction and mental health simultaneously, these centers strive to provide comprehensive and holistic care, ultimately increasing the chances of sustained recovery and improved mental well-being for their patients.