When treating addiction, the presence of co-occurring mental health disorders is common. The relationship between substance abuse and mental health conditions is complex, and many people seeking recovery need specialized treatment to overcome both of these concerns. Dual-diagnosis treatment in Summerlin, Nevada, can address both disorders simultaneously and start people on the path to holistic recovery.
Prevalence of Co-Occurring Disorders
When a person is living with both a substance use and mental health disorder, treatment professionals use the term “co-occurring disorders” to describe both conditions. Research from the National Institute on Drug Abuse has shown that:
- Nearly 7.7 million people in the United States have co-occurring disorders
- 37.9% of people with a substance use disorder have a mental illness
- 18.2% of people with a mental illness have a co-occurring substance use disorder
Despite these numbers, most people with co-occurring disorders never get any treatment at all, and those who do might receive treatment only for addiction or mental illness.
Leaving the symptoms of either disorder untreated can quickly lead to a relapse in both conditions. The best strategy for overcoming these co-occurring problems is to seek help in an understanding and nurturing environment. Our facility for dual-diagnosis treatment in Summerlin, Nevada, offers comprehensive addiction and mental health care to help people recover.
The Relationship Between Substance Abuse and Mental Illness
The connection between addiction and mental health is bi-directional. This means that either disorder can lead to the other. When a person develops a co-occurring disorder, both problems require specialized treatment. Focusing on one problem in isolation can quickly lead to challenges that result in relapse.
Self-Medication
One theory for why these mental health and substance use disorders so frequently co-occur is known as the self-medication hypothesis. This model explains how many people who are experiencing mental health issues seek out drugs or alcohol in an attempt to alleviate their symptoms.
For example, a person experiencing depression may turn to substance abuse in order to overcome their feelings of hopelessness and fatigue or to resolve their sleep difficulties. While the substance may bring some short-term relief, it can quickly develop into drug addiction — and their mental health symptoms become progressively worse.
Substance-Induced Mental Health Problems
The second theory for the connection between addiction and mental health points to the fact that many people develop mental illness as a result of substance abuse. Addiction can be devastating and lead to a host of mental health consequences. In time, these negative effects of drug or alcohol addiction can become pathological, requiring mental health treatment to overcome.
A person who abuses benzodiazepines, for instance, may find that they grow more anxious when not under the influence. During early sobriety, they may experience panic attacks, social anxiety, or specific phobias.
Common Co-Occurring Disorders
While any combination of mental illness and addiction is described as a co-occurring disorder, some mental health conditions are more prevalent than others. The most common co-occurring disorders include:
- Major depressive disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
While the symptoms of these disorders can be difficult on their own, they are often compounded by the effects of drug or alcohol withdrawal and the mental health effects of addiction.
How Dual-Diagnosis Treatment Can Help
Dual-diagnosis treatment providers offer integrated mental health and addiction services to ensure that everyone gets the individualized care they need to achieve recovery. Our dual-diagnosis treatment centers have a diverse team of addiction, mental health, and medical professionals who work together to deliver specialized care, addressing each of our client’s unique needs and building holistic health.
Behavioral Therapy
Both addiction and mental health disorders can benefit from a targeted behavioral health treatment plan. These behavioral therapies are delivered in both one-on-one counseling and group sessions, and they might include these therapies:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Mindfulness therapy
- Narrative therapy
- Motivational interviewing
- Seeking safety therapy
Depending on your specific mental health challenges, certain therapies may be more beneficial than others. Seeking safety therapy, for instance, is particularly beneficial for people dealing with past traumas or PTSD.
Medication-Assisted Treatment
Medication-assisted treatment, or MAT, is an evidence-based approach to helping people overcome substance use disorders. MAT involves using specialized medications that can treat and alleviate the lingering effects of addiction. These medications help clients overcome cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and unwanted mental health effects.
In addition, depression, anxiety, and many other mental health disorders are highly treatable with certain medications, such as antidepressants or anxiolytics. Integrated therapies at our center for dual-diagnosis treatment in Summerlin, Nevada, combine MAT approaches with medication management for mental illness.
Targeted Support Groups
Most programs that offer addiction treatment include support groups to help people in their recovery journey — but a dual-diagnosis facility also delivers targeted mental health group support. Just as those who share the common struggle of addiction are in a unique position to lift each other up, so too does a shared experience of mental health challenges help people achieve recovery.
Types of Dual-Diagnosis Treatment Programs
Luxe Treatment Center is a residential treatment center that offers inpatient treatment for people struggling with addiction and co-occurring mental illnesses. Residential treatment programs offer the highest level of care while providing a safe, luxurious, and supportive environment for people to heal.
In addition, Luxe Treatment Center offers medical detox programs for people struggling to overcome the difficult first stage of sobriety. Medical detox focuses on alleviating the physical symptoms of withdrawal and helps people stabilize before entering a residential treatment program.
Dual-Diagnosis Treatment in Summerlin, Nevada
Don’t delay getting the care you need any longer: A new life in recovery is just around the corner. Our center for dual-diagnosis treatment in Summerlin, Nevada, is conveniently located just outside of Las Vegas, and our treatment team is standing by to help you finally achieve holistic health.
When you’re ready to begin, reach out to the team at Luxe Treatment Center by calling (702) 541-9036 or filling out our confidential contact form.
