Those who have been a victim of chronic relapses or fail to understand why they feel the way they do prior to drinking or using may be suffering from a dual diagnosis. What this means is that afflicted individuals have an addiction to drugs or alcohol as well as a separate mental illness. Staying sober is extremely difficult when a dual diagnosis goes untreated because it’s virtually impossible to maintain a life of peace and serenity when people’s minds are making them feel anxious or depressed.
Mental Illness Leading to Addiction
One of the leading causes of addiction occurs when people have a mental illness but don’t know it. The symptoms of mental illness can develop at any stage of a person’s life, and the situation can be extremely confusing and scary. Frequently, addicts will begin to isolate themselves or feel isolated when they’re with groups of people. Drugs and alcohol offer a temporary feeling of relief, but eventually, these people become dependent. Once the mind correlates drugs and alcohol with feeling well, addiction sets in, and it takes the assistance of a reputable detox facility that specializes in helping people who have a dual diagnosis.
Detox at an Addiction Treatment Center
When people begin addiction treatment, they’ll go through a psychological evaluation and detox. Sometimes long-term drug and alcohol abuse can bring about symptoms of mental illness, but they will clear up once people have detoxed. The rehab facility doesn’t want to medicate people who don’t need it because it can hinder them from staying sober or make their problems worse.
The Family’s Role in Staying Sober, As Part of Dual Diagnosis
For patients with a dual diagnosis, it is also very important for staying sober that their loved ones learn more about their co-occurring disorders. Most families gain some perspective regarding addiction from the patient’s rehab as part of family therapy and support programs. But when another condition like depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, or attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is present, it is critical that the family learns more than how to recognize signs of relapse.
As part of family programs in a rehab treating dual diagnosis, families need to be made aware of signs of the mental illness’ as well as signs of alcoholism and how to tell when their loved one isn’t properly self-managing medication. By not sticking with prescribed dosing of medications for mental illness, relapse can be imminent. It is important that families are aware of subtle cues to such lapses and what they can do to help the person they love.
Families also may need a more intense family therapy program to help all recover from the patient’s addiction and co-occurring conditions. Everyone in the patient’s everyday life needs help regaining their own footing, just as the patient needs support in staying sober.
Addiction Treatment for a Dual Diagnosis
Sobriety is difficult for those with a dual diagnosis, but it’s not impossible. Individuals go through a variety of different therapies to learn how to live a life of sobriety without letting their dual diagnosis lead them to relapse. This involves individuals learning new strategies in addiction treatment to dealing with their symptoms of mental illness in a much healthier way. Some of the therapies we offer at Serenity House Detox & Recovery include:
- Evidence-based therapy program
- Talk therapy program
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy program
- Dialectical behavior therapy program
- Health and wellness program
The most important part of the recovery process and staying sober is for individuals to continue to follow up with the rehab once they discharge. The facility may have aftercare groups, or it may recommend that they continue ongoing care with a therapist. Going to rehab is the best way for the person to not only get sober, but they’ll be able to maintain this incredible new life without letting their mental illness or addiction take control again.
If you’re ready to shake off the alcohol addiction that clings so tightly to your life, call Serenity House Detox & Recovery today at 866.294.5306. We can help you break free from addiction and get your life back on track again.
