For those who struggle with drug or alcohol addiction and a mental health disorder, also known as dual-diagnosis, healing takes time and is not easy. Mental health and addiction are closely tied, and treating both is important for a person to recover. However, there is hope. At The Perry Clayman Project, we help people heal their mental health and stop using drugs and alcohol permanently.
What Is Dual-Diagnosis?
Dual-diagnosis is when a person who is struggling with addiction also has a mental health disorder. While the specific combination and challenges are unique to an individual, dual-diagnosis is common. Mental health disorders that commonly occur with addiction include the following:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Anxiety and mood disorders
- Major depression disorder
- Attention/deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder
- Conduct disorders
The commonality of a dual-diagnosis speaks to the connection between drugs and alcohol abuse and mental health. When a person is struggling with a mental health disorder, there are many difficulties. Some of these symptoms can lead them to search for a way to self-medicate, often with drugs and alcohol. The changes in the brain due to a mental health disorder can also make a person more susceptible to addiction. Additionally, drug and alcohol abuse can lead to mental health symptoms and make symptoms of a mental health disorder worsen.
Dual-Diagnosis Treatment
As a result of the connection between addiction and mental health disorders, dual-diganosis treatment is imperative and will help a person to maintain their sobriety and mental health, which makes their quality of life increase dramatically. Treatment at The Perry Clayman Project incorporates both detox and addiction treatment, as well as therapy, medication, and mental health treatment options. Due to individual needs, the specific therapy for each person will be a unique combination that helps them heal.
Detox and Addiction Treatment
The start of addiction treatment is often detox. Alcohol detox and drug detox are the processes that occur after a person ceases the use of drugs or alcohol. Detox is necessary because alcohol and drugs rewire the brain, creating urges to use a specific substance again. As a result, people who are addicted may have tried to quit many times and still returned.
After detox, addiction treatment is the process of healing the mind and body from substance abuse. It will include understanding why a person started using and how to make the necessary changes to stay sober after they return home. Addiction treatment often includes individual therapy, group therapy, and more.
Therapy, Medication, and Mental Health Treatment
Mental health treatment, as a part of dual-diagnosis treatment, will look different for each person. For some, medications can be used to stave off symptoms. In treatment, individuals will work with a mental health professional to help them find the right fit to treat their mental health disorder. While medication is very helpful for many, not all mental health disorders require medication. Many individuals can heal and manage their mental health with lifestyle changes and other interventions.
Along with medication, mental health treatment generally includes therapy. This might include individual therapy and group therapy. In therapy for mental health, people have the opportunity to learn about their mental health disorders. This includes how it has been impacting their lives and the tools to manage it in the future. As a part of dual-diagnosis treatment, therapy can help a person to understand how their mental health disorder has led to and played a role in their substance abuse and addiction. This increased awareness is important in healing, as it helps a person to see a way out.
Who Is Dual-Diagnosis Treatment Right For?
Many people who struggle with addiction also have challenges with their mental health. However, some of these difficulties come with the territory of addiction and drugs and alcohol abuse. For example, difficulty with mood can be a result of long-term drug and alcohol use. The crossover of symptoms can cause confusion. So, who is dual-diagnosis treatment right for?
Dual-diagnosis treatment is right for people who have underlying and untreated mental health disorders alongside addiction. There are a couple of ways a person would know if this fits them. One is that symptoms of a mental health disorder were present before drugs or alcohol were used or abused. For example, someone who struggled with PTSD, which led to drug and alcohol abuse, likely had PTSD symptoms like difficulty sleeping, mood changes, and more prior to heavy substance use. This could be true even if these symptoms were made worse through drug and alcohol abuse.
Additionally, some people may have already undergone treatment for addiction. If it didn’t stick, there may be a reason related to mental health. For those who struggle with a mental health disorder and addiction, staying sober without addressing the mental health difficulties is near impossible. This is the reason that at The Perry Clayman Project, we look for underlying causes of addiction, including mental health disorders. We understand that healing from addiction means addressing these challenges. Through medication, therapy, and more, people can overcome mental health disorders while learning the necessary tools to stay sober long-term.
Mental health disorders and addiction occur together often, and at The Perry Clayman Project, we help people to get to the root causes of both, heal, and move forward. To learn more about dual-diagnosis treatment or get advice on how to heal, call us today at 08000 380 480.