What is Dual Diagnosis Treatment?

A 2022 national survey on drug use in the U.S. showed that approximately 21.5 million adults in the U.S. have a dual diagnosis. This staggering statistic points out the need for quality dual diagnosis treatment centers in Georgia. Dual diagnosis treatment consists of addressing both disorders at the same time. This saves the person time and money because they don’t have to attend and pay for two separate programs. 

People who have a dual diagnosis find that it negatively impacts both their mental and physical health. Because of this, it proves important to get help from clinicians trained to treat this condition. A thorough assessment will be made of each person to determine the severity of both their addiction and mental illness. From there, a plan is created that consists of therapeutic sessions that target their exact needs.

Why We Offer Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Georgia

Dual diagnosis uncovers how mental illness influences addiction and vice versa. Without establishing this intrinsic connection, treatment only goes so far. We offer dual diagnosis treatment to help people explore the root cause of their reasons for abusing drugs or alcohol. At the same time, we look for contributing factors that bring on mental illnesses, such as anxiety, depression, and trauma-based illnesses. With a double-edged attack on the issues, each person elevates their ability to heal from both conditions.

Common Dual Diagnosis Disorders

A dual diagnosis can be a combination of any number of mental illnesses and addictions. Common mental illnesses that are part of a dual diagnosis include:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Bipolar disorder
• Borderline personality disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

The types of substance abuse that can co-occur with a dual diagnosis include:

• Alcohol
• Cocaine
• Methamphetamines
• Fentanyl
• Heroin
• Benzodiazepines
• Hallucinogens
• Stimulants
• Kratom
• Marijuana
• Prescription drugs

How Does Dual Diagnosis Treatment Work?

When someone attends our dual diagnosis treatment center in Georgia, they find themselves in the hands of a roster of experts who use their years of training to begin the healing process. Dual diagnosis treatment consists of attending different types of therapy. Each one has a goal of helping people open up about their emotions, behaviors, and fears. They learn to set treatment goals and develop healthy coping mechanisms. Some therapies are individual while others take place in a group setting. As well, some therapy modalities are talk-based while others involve experiential activities that help people express themselves and heal through actions like yoga and and art therapy.

Mental illness can cause several symptoms that can be alleviated through the use of FDA-approved medications. In addition, someone who has started to live a substance-free life often finds they experience withdrawal symptoms initially. There are several choices for medications to help keep anyone from suffering needlessly. The staff at our dual diagnosis center will evaluate each person to match them with any needed medications and supervise their use of them.

Benefits of a Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center in Georgia

Getting help at a dual diagnosis treatment center in Georgia gives people several benefits. It’s less expensive than going to two separate programs and takes less time. Another benefit is how one type of treatment influences the other. For example, someone who receives treatment for their mental health but not their addiction often finds that continuing to drink or use drugs keeps them from making permanent progress in healing their mental illness. Conversely, a person who goes to treatment for a substance use disorder but does not address their mental health often loses the ground they gain. This is because the individual is greatly tempted to start drinking or using drugs again to quiet symptoms of poor mental health like anxiety, depression, and flashbacks.