What Is a Dual Diagnosis?
In the United States, 7.7 million adults have a dual diagnosis, or a substance use disorder that appears with a mental illness, according to the National Institutes of Health. Because mental illness and substance abuse feed off each other, turning to dual-diagnosis treatment centers in California, like Malibu Detox, is important.
Dual-diagnosis, also known as co-morbidity and co-occurring disorder, can involve mental health disorders like:
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders
- Bipolar disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- ADHD
- Eating disorders
- Borderline personality disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Other personality disorders
For some people, mental illness appears before addiction. The symptoms that an untreated disorder causes can lead you to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol. It may seem like substance abuse helps with symptoms, but drugs and alcohol will make them worse in the long run.
For others, substance abuse can trigger a mental illness because of the changes alcohol and drugs can make to your brain’s structure.
The symptoms of a dual diagnosis include:
- Sudden changes in behavior
- Neglecting hygiene and health
- Cognitive impairment
- Delusional thinking
- Difficulties managing daily tasks
- Isolation
- Avoiding favorite activities
- Suicidal ideation
- Impulsive behavior
- Erratic behavior
- Lying about substance use
- Doctor shopping
- Changes in appetite
- Weight fluctuation
Many factors can influence the development of co-occurring disorders. These include genetics, with those who have relatives with a dual diagnosis being more likely to develop the conditions, as well as environmental factors like chronic stress and traumatic experiences.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Malibu
At dual-diagnosis treatment centers in California, like Malibu Detox, you can access a variety of treatment programs. If you are not sure which is the most appropriate program, we can help.
Medically-Assisted Detox
Beginning treatment requires removing drugs and alcohol from your body through a detox process. It is vital to have medical assistance during detox to avoid some of the worst symptoms.
At our center, we can keep you safe with 24/7 monitoring and medication adjustments to fit your exact needs. We conduct an assessment when you enter treatment, taking into consideration your medical history, substance abuse history, and mental health concerns.
Medication-Assisted Treatment
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) allows you to start dual-diagnosis treatment without worrying about powerful cravings. Cravings can make it difficult to focus on your therapy and can even put you at risk of relapsing.
At our dual-diagnosis treatment in Malibu, we perform daily monitoring to ensure the medications keep you comfortable and safe while you receive care.
Residential Treatment
If you are just starting your recovery process or have a severe addiction or mental illness, we will recommend residential treatment. It offers the highest level of care, providing constant monitoring and intensive therapy sessions.
Our dual-diagnosis treatment centers in California rely on therapies like:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Motivational interviewing
- Experiential therapy
- Trauma-focused therapy
- Equine therapy
These therapeutic options allow you to get to the root cause of your dual diagnosis, helping you identify the behavioral issues you face so that you can make positive changes.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy can help you recognize negative thought patterns that affect your mood and actions, while dialectical behavior therapy can help you live in the present instead of obsessing over the past.
Motivational interviewing can aid in strengthening your motivations and helping you achieve your recovery goals. Experiential therapy can help you deal with traumatic situations and relationship dynamics in safe settings so that you can manage unresolved issues.
Many people who have co-occurring disorders have experienced some form of trauma. Trauma-focused therapy can address the effects that traumatic events leave on your mind and body and which can lead to substance abuse and mental illnesses.
Another effective therapy we offer is equine therapy. Horses can help you live in the moment and manage your emotions. Because they reflect how you feel, you can get a sense of how your attitude can affect others.
We also provide group therapy. Co-occurring disorders can cause a high degree of isolation, which causes higher stress and aggravates symptoms. By being able to meet others who are struggling with similar conditions, you can feel less isolated.
Partial Hospitalization Program
At our dual-diagnosis treatment center, we offer a partial hospitalization program (PHP) for those who do not want to attend residential treatment. Our PHP offers a level of care comparable to inpatient services but without requiring you to stay at our facilities overnight.
It is best suited for people who have a safe and supportive home environment and who do not have easy access to alcohol or drugs.
Our PHP for mental health and substance use disorders offers medication management and individual therapy sessions. We also provide support groups where you can share your experiences with a dual diagnosis and hear from others who are at different levels of treatment.
Mental health disorders and substance abuse can affect your entire family. To help them and to allow you to rebuild trust with your loved ones, we offer family therapy at our dual-diagnosis treatment centers in California.
Intensive Outpatient Program
Another of our outpatient treatment programs is our intensive outpatient program (IOP). It is best suited for those who have milder mental health issues and addictions or those who have completed residential care or a PHP and want continued support.
An IOP requires fewer treatment hours per week than a PHP, allowing you more flexibility while still offering individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, and more. As with the rest of our programs, we rely on evidence-based therapies for treating co-occurring disorders.
At our IOP, we can also offer relapse prevention and life skills development services to help you prepare to return to your daily life.
Turn to Malibu Detox For Effective Dual Diagnosis Treatment
When searching for dual-diagnosis treatment centers in California, turn to us at Malibu Detox. With many programs to choose from, you can get the specialized treatment you need.
Help yourself begin anew by turning to our dual-diagnosis treatment center in Malibu, CA. Call Malibu Detox today to learn more about our treatment services.
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