One of the first steps to your healing journey is finding a treatment facility. This can feel heavy. How do you decide what you need? While researching, you probably heard the term dual or co-occurring diagnosis program. Learning treatment-related terms can feel overwhelming. Don’t worry, though. In this blog, we’ll break down the definition and benefits of this kind of program.
What Is a Dual Diagnosis Program?
Dual diagnosis programs provide care for both substance use disorder (SUD) and other mental illnesses. It’s important to debunk the myth that all facilities handle both issues. According to a 2014 study in Administration and Policy in Mental Health, only 18% of addiction programs and 9% of mental illness programs fit into dual diagnosis standards.
In these centers, you’ll start by detoxing from substances, but you’ll also receive intensive mental health support—a higher level than general detox programs. As you continue, you’ll address both problems during inpatient treatment. During inpatient, you’ll go to support groups, group therapy, individual therapy, and holistic therapies that target your specific issues. When you’re ready, you may transition into a less encompassing program like partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP), or aftercare. Moreover, at a dual diagnosis facility, all your continued care will cater to your mental health and sobriety.
Benefits of Choosing Dual Diagnosis
When you’re looking at options for treating your mental health, it’s crucial to consider treating all conditions at once. Dual diagnosis programs offer this kind of care and they can provide you with many benefits. Let’s discuss three major positives that come from these treatment programs.
Identifying Your Diagnoses
Many people with mental illness look at their substance abuse as self-medication instead of addiction. On the other side, people with addiction view their mental struggles as a side effect of substance abuse. If you’re in either of these scenarios, you might be coping with an undiagnosed co-occurring illness. At dual diagnosis centers, your mental health will be screened and evaluated. Doctors will examine all your symptoms and test you for diagnoses that seem likely. Their expertise allows them to recognize issues that wouldn’t be noticed or addressed at another treatment program.
Comprehensive Treatment
Addiction and other mental illnesses are heavily interlinked. Often, one leads to the other. Unfortunately, this creates difficulty in treatment. If you treat addiction without mental illness, it can actually exacerbate the mental illness. This makes it tougher to stay sober. Similarly, if you treat your mental illness without treating the addiction, your addiction can get worse.
If you’re struggling with multiple issues at once, it’s necessary to receive comprehensive treatment. Mental health professionals in dual diagnosis programs will offer you better care. Individualization in dual diagnosis treatment will allow you to heal your mental illnesses simultaneously. Additionally, your continued care will include recovery care and maintenance of mental health.
Everybody talks about how difficult treatment is. That can be true. The steps before treatment can feel heavy and difficult to understand as well. In this blog, we outlined dual diagnosis programs. If you’re struggling with substance use disorder (SUD) and co-occurring mental illness, your best bet for success is entering one of these programs. You’ll receive comprehensive, integrated care that addresses your unique needs. At The Guest House, we provide dual diagnosis treatment. We offer traditional as well as holistic therapies. Through our program, you’ll grow stronger and healthier. Call us at (855) 483-7800 today.