Nashville Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers & Rehab

When exploring substance abuse treatment possibilities, you might encounter the phrase “dual diagnosis” and wonder “what is dual diagnosis”. Let’s explore this concept.

Fundamentally, when you experience a substance use disorder alongside a co-occurring mental health condition, this situation is recognized as a dual diagnosis. Sometimes addiction stems from an underlying mental health condition. Other times, addiction can precipitate a mental illness. Both conditions may also develop concurrently.

NSDUH research indicates that 45% of individuals with substance use disorder experience a co-occurring mental health disorder. NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness) reports that 9.2 million adults across the United States live with a dual diagnosis.

Such dual diagnosis requires integrated treatment that addresses both interconnected issues simultaneously, which you can access at Renaissance Recovery.

Exactly what does dual diagnosis mean in mental health?

Understanding the Meaning of Dual Diagnosis

Dual diagnosis co-occurrence – what exactly does this term signify?

Both terms represent identical concepts. Dual diagnosis is frequently referred to as a co-occurring disorder. Such terminology is more precise than co-morbidity, which describes multiple illnesses appearing together.

Concurrent substance use disorder and serious mental health condition defines dual diagnosis.

Various substance use disorders encompass any of these substances:

• Alcohol
• Marijuana
• Meth
• Cocaine
• Crack
• Heroin
• Benzodiazepines
• Opioids

Likewise, numerous mental health conditions frequently co-occur with substance use disorders, such as:

• GAD (generalized anxiety disorder)
• Major depressive disorder
• PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
• Bipolar disorder
• ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder)
• Schizophrenia

Countless possible combinations exist within dual diagnosis, making each case uniquely different.

Establishing both a substance use disorder and mental health disorder is necessary for co-occurring disorder diagnosis. Independent diagnosis of each condition is required rather than symptoms clustering from a single disorder.

Exploring Co-Occurring Disorder Fundamentals

National Survey on Drug Use and Health findings reveal that individuals with mental health conditions face twice the likelihood of developing substance use disorders compared to those without. Similarly, people with substance use disorder or alcohol use disorder demonstrate higher susceptibility to co-occurring mental health disorders than the general population.

Widespread agreement now exists that substance abuse can trigger mental health disorders, while mental health disorders can precipitate substance use disorders, though research continues to determine why these conditions co-occur.

Multiple overlapping factors that can contribute to both substance use disorders and mental health disorders include:

• Genetics: Recent studies indicate that genetics contributes up to 60% of addiction development risk.
• Brain responses: Abusing certain substances can produce symptoms resembling mental illness. Excessive marijuana use, for instance, may trigger psychosis.
• Environmental factors: Ongoing anxiety, trauma, or chronic stress can contribute to developing both addictions and mental health disorders.
• Early substance exposure: Young people and adolescents face greater brain damage susceptibility than adults when abusing substances. Early substance experimentation increases dual diagnosis likelihood in adulthood.

Self-medication represents one of the most common dual diagnosis triggers. This happens when you try to alleviate mental illness symptoms using alcohol or drugs (illicit substances or prescription medications).

Temporary relief often results from self-medicating. However, this relief proves fleeting, failing to address underlying causes.

Additionally, substance use can create dependence and addiction, simultaneously worsening the mental health condition.

Fortunately, struggling alone isn’t necessary when facing a mental health condition or substance abuse issues.

Recognizing Signs of Dual Diagnosis

Several key questions can help clarify your situation…

1. Frequently do you turn to alcohol or drugs when feeling distressed?

2. Have emotional difficulties persisted for extended periods without seeking therapeutic intervention?

Answering yes to both questions suggests you might have an undiagnosed mental health issue driving substance use to manage negative emotions.

Realistic self-assessment becomes important here. Life naturally includes ups and downs – this represents normal human experience. However, experiencing abnormally low periods that prompt alcohol or drug use suggests professional help may be needed. Many individuals avoid seeking assistance, yet dual diagnosis won’t resolve independently.

Consider this example: sudden depression worsening leads to drinking wine with dinner or smoking joints for coping – discuss this openly with your doctor. Underlying conditions like bipolar disorder or PTSD might be present.

Identifying root causes of negative thought patterns significantly improves your ability to control triggers and maintain recovery progress.

Without addressing both substance abuse and accompanying mental health conditions, specialized dual diagnosis treatment facilities offer the best chance for sustained sobriety.

How do you access such treatment?

Locating Effective Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Perhaps you initially developed depression or anxiety, then began abusing drugs or alcohol. Maybe chronic alcohol abuse resulted in major depressive episodes. Regardless how your co-occurring disorder developed, optimal dual diagnosis treatment programs address both conditions simultaneously.

SAMHSA (the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) advocates integrated care treatment models for co-occurring disorders. Comprehensive and integrated treatment increases engagement likelihood compared to addressing each condition separately.

Residential rehab frequently proves most effective for dual diagnosis. Outpatient therapy preferences may benefit from programs requiring greater time commitments. IOP (intensive outpatient program) or PHP (partial hospitalization program) options provide many inpatient rehab benefits without associated costs or limitations.

MAT (medication-assisted treatment) frequently features in dual diagnosis treatment. FDA-approved medications help reduce withdrawal symptom intensity and cravings. Mental health disorder treatment also benefits from appropriate medications.

Combining MAT with psychotherapies like CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) and DBT (dialectical behavior therapy) maximizes effectiveness. Psychotherapy, or talking therapy, helps examine relationships between feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. You’ll identify substance abuse triggers and learn healthier coping mechanisms.

Evidence-based dual diagnosis treatments incorporate holistic therapies ensuring whole-body healing and recovery approaches.

Renaissance Recovery’s California and Florida rehab programs feature highly personalized dual diagnosis treatment plans addressing life obstacles. Contact admissions today at 866-330-9449.

Sources

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2713155/
2.https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/index.shtml