What Exactly Is Dual-Diagnosis Treatment?
Dual diagnosis refers to identifying and treating co-occurring mental health disorders that occur simultaneously with substance abuse disorders. In dual-diagnosis treatment, clients will work through the challenges that arise from addiction and mental health disorders. Sometimes, addiction stems from underlying conditions that cause a person to drink or use substances. Often, trauma, pain, fear of failure, and disorders — like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or anxiety — linger under the surface but are blanketed by drug or alcohol use. The treatment of both mental illness and addiction can benefit a client in recovery by helping them recognize and understand the connection.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reported that of the 20.3 million Americans with substance abuse disorders, 37.9% of them also had co-occurring mental illnesses. The double-edged sword is that self-medicating with drugs or alcohol has adverse effects, especially in people with underlying mental health disorders. For example, some people drink alcohol to decrease symptoms of anxiety, but alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that causes alcohol-induced anxiety for many hours after drinking.
Dual Diagnosis at Laguna Shores Recovery in Mission Viejo, California
At Laguna Shores, we believe that you cannot treat addiction without treating co-occurring mental health disorders and vice versa. Both disorders should be treated simultaneously, the same as they occur, for a lasting, fulfilling recovery.
Our clinical staff will identify mental health and substance abuse disorders in clients one-on-one through integrated screenings at our residential facility. Following diagnoses, she will work with them closely on how these disorders interact with each other. Understanding and identifying patterns and behaviors will empower clients to create healthy coping mechanisms they can use in recovery.
Specific goals that must be achieved in dual-diagnosis therapy include:
- Learning to work with the symptoms of your mental illness. We teach clients how to do this through psychotherapy, specifically cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). At Laguna Shores, we believe in having fun, too; we encourage our clients to enjoy themselves and make the most of their experience through activities such as experiential therapy. By doing so, the people we treat will be able to find purpose and meaning in life, providing them the best chance at sustaining sobriety.
- Identifying self-destructive behavior. Identifying negative patterns can be difficult and even embarrassing, but in doing so, you can learn how modifying your behavior will improve all aspects of your life. In our care, we will teach you what self-destructive behaviors are and how they can affect your overall health. Once you become aware of your self-destructive tendencies and pledge to take care of yourself, you will find it easier to identify when you may be doing this in recovery as well.
- Working through a variety of issues that influence substance abuse. Mental health disorders must be treated in conjunction with substance use disorders because it identifies what initially led them to self-medicate with alcohol or substances. This practice can work wonders in recovery because if a client notices symptoms of depression, for example, they can take steps to address it — like reaching out to a sponsor or a loved one for help — before it leads to relapse. Through a 12-Step program and life skills courses, our clients can become better versions of themselves.
Our Philosophy
We understand that treating addiction isn’t a one-step or one-size-fits-all solution; it also means treating mental health. Recovery is an ongoing matter of the mind, body, and spirit. Your addiction may be what brings you to treatment at Laguna Shores, but we will remain a beacon of hope and support after graduation from our program.
Laguna Shores Recovery welcomes anyone struggling with substance abuse disorders. Our staff will ensure your stay feels as close to home as possible. Even on the worst days, when you may be feeling the symptoms of a co-occurring disorder more intensely, our professionals will be there around the clock to listen and support you through those times.
Laguna Shores Recovery is also a proud pet-friendly facility, as we see the impact animals can have on mood and overall well-being. We believe that animal therapy can be an effective tool in addiction treatment because animals provide unconditional love and acceptance; this sense of companionship will allow clients to feel more comfortable in a therapy setting.
Co-Occurring Disorders Treated at Laguna Shores Recovery
Many mental health disorders can occur alongside addiction, but some are more prevalent than others. Co-occurring disorders can make it increasingly difficult to achieve and sustain sobriety, as they can heighten psychological withdrawal symptoms that appear when detoxing from a drug. When an individual begins feeling these intense emotions in withdrawal, it can cause them to relapse, which increases the chances of deadly overdose.
Laguna Shores Recovery specializes in the dual-diagnosis treatment of:
- ADHD
- Anxiety
- PTSD
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Depression
- OCD
Our facility offers various treatment modalities customized to suit the needs of each individual that enters our program. We provide many therapeutic options to treat co-occurring disorders, such as individual and group therapy, experiential therapy, family therapy, and life skills courses.
Co-occurring disorders, diagnoses, and proper treatment are critical factors to an individual’s lasting recovery from addiction. Effective treatment can guide clients to learn healthy coping mechanisms rather than self-medicate. At Laguna Shores Recovery, we incorporate dual-diagnosis treatment into our detox and residential programs, as we believe you cannot treat one without the other. Call Laguna Shores Recovery today to learn about our individualized treatment plans at (954) 329-1118.
