People who suffer from a mental illness and substance abuse disorder, need to find a comprehensive treatment program at a specialized rehab clinic to ensure they are getting treatment for both disorders at the same time to help lead to a full recovery.
The 3 most common co-occurring disorders that can be helped at a dual diagnosis treatment center!
There are millions of people in America alone who suffer from co-occurring disorders. Co-occurring disorders typically relate to substance abuse concerns, like alcohol or drug use, and mental health disorders, such as depression or anxiety. It is estimated that nearly 60% of teens and young people in drug and alcohol treatment today have co-occurring disorders that need a comprehensive treatment plan to recover from. According to this data, adolescents are more likely to take drugs and substances while suffering from mental health concerns, like depression or anxiety.
Mental health concerns can occur from various reasons, whether due to genetics, unhealthy methods of coping, post-traumatic stress disorder, gambling, alcohol, drug use, and self-defacing behaviors. The effects of taking substances at the same time as suffering from a mental health illness can exacerbate both disorders.
Cocaine addiction and depression
One of the most common co-occurring disorders that is typically found in society is the presence of cocaine addiction and mental health issue depression. As we know, mental health concerns go hand in hand with substance abuse – in some cases, it can lead to worse outcomes and long-term effects than just one addiction concern.
Some signs and symptoms of having this issue include euphoria during a cocaine high, followed by extreme lows and depressive states while no longer taking the stimulant. You may feel a strong change in your personality, feeling down, scared of the world, withdrawing from your friends and society, and being forgetful.
Panic disorder and alcohol addiction
A second co-occurring disorder that can be helped at a dual diagnosis treatment center such as The Edge Treatment is panic disorder and alcohol addiction. The panic disorder stems from social anxiety and manic episodes, combined with alcohol addiction, which involves drinking copious amounts of alcohol to either feel better – or feel nothing at all.
With this co-occurring disorder, you may find strong feelings of mania, shaky hands, sweaty palms, excessive activity, and an irregular heartbeat during the panic phase of this disorder. During the alcohol addiction state, you may find that you are suddenly able to relate to people and okay in social settings – a short-lived consequence.
Schizophrenia and drug abuse
The final type of co-occurring disorder that can be successfully treated at a dual diagnosis treatment center is schizophrenia and drug use. Schizophrenia is typically characterized by delusions (believing things that are not based in reality), hallucinations (seeing things that are not there), disorganized thinking and speech, disorganized and abnormal movements, and other negative symptoms. This disorder is exacerbated by drug use and oftentimes spurred by addiction.
Conclusion
Going to a dual diagnosis treatment center can help those with co-occurring disorders, as patients with schizophrenia, panic disorder, and depression paired with substance abuse.