How are Dual Diagnosis Cases Treated at a Drug Rehab Center?

A double diagnosis is when a person is diagnosed with a substance use disorder and another mental illness at the same time. These mental illnesses can be the main cause of chronic substance abuse or the continued use of substances.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, about a third of Americans with a mental illness are diagnosed with a double diagnosis (also known as co-occurring disorders). In severe cases of mental illness, around half also struggle with substance abuse.

Daily experiences at dual diagnosis treatment centers in Dallas seem to corroborate this, as about a third of Americans with alcohol use disorders and over half of Americans with drug use disorders also have mental illness.

Can a double diagnosis be treated in rehab?

While double-diagnosed cases are extremely common, not all substance rehabilitation and treatment centers can adequately treat them. Some rehab centers focus solely on medical detox or other treatment that does not necessarily involve treating psychiatric conditions.

Fortunately, most drug and alcohol rehab centers in the Dallas metropolitan area can at least see one doctor who can diagnose any concurrent disorders. There are also some who specialize in treating double-diagnosed cases.

How are dual diagnosis cases treated?

Each double diagnosis is usually unique, which means that doctors need to develop an approach that is appropriate for each patient. In most cases, an “integrated intervention approach” is chosen to treat all diagnosed disorders at the same time.

In most cases, this procedure is largely similar to the standard procedure for treating substance use disorders. The steps in treating dual diagnosed cases are usually as follows:

1. Detoxification

Detox or withdrawal management is usually the first step in treating a substance disorder, regardless of whether there is a double diagnosis.

This first process is intended to help stabilize the patient so that he can later receive advice and therapy.

During this process, patients receive appropriate medical intervention while their bodies expel remaining traces of substances. This process can take up to two weeks depending on how the patient reacts.

This process can be carried out on an outpatient or inpatient basis. However, inpatient detox is usually safer and more effective because it allows treatment center staff to monitor a patient's condition much more closely.

Inpatient treatment also significantly reduces the chances and triggers of relapse. If the patient is at risk of suicide or has a severe substance use disorder, inpatient treatment may also be the best option.

2. Inpatient / inpatient rehabilitation

Even after most of the chemical traces of drugs and alcohol have been expelled from the body, cravings are likely to persist thanks to new pathways in the brain created by habitual drug use.

The process of normalizing the brain pathways can take several months or years, depending on the patient's progress.

After the initial detox, patients who want the best chance of long-term recovery should consider inpatient treatment. It can also be recommended to people who are considered to be a risk to themselves and others.

3. Counseling and therapy

In rehab centers, patients with a double diagnosis receive counseling and therapy to cope with their cravings. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a mainstay for the treatment of substance use disorders as well as other psychiatric disorders.

In most cases, therapists will use this approach to help patients better cope with their concurrent problems, especially with regard to self-defeating thinking.

4. Medicines

Patients can also be given medication to deal with their co-occurring mental health problems. Prescribing medication can be a delicate balancing act as many of the standard medications for dealing with psychiatric disorders can also be habit forming.

At the same time, some patients may continue to take maintenance medication to get them off their preferred medication. This can start through the detox process and take as long as necessary.

5. Support groups

While support groups are a mainstay for single-diagnosed substance use disorders, it can be more difficult, if not impossible, to care for those with a co-occurring mental health problem.

Regardless, support groups can be an essential part of staving off feelings of isolation that arise in individuals recovering from mental health problems.

Self-help groups are not a realistic way of dealing with a double diagnosis or a single diagnosis alone.

Individuals have a better chance of getting more out of them when they have received proper detox and personalized advice.

Group therapy can also be continued after rehabilitation. Continuing group therapy after rehab can help prevent relapse and promote long-term recovery, especially if the problems with the co-occurring disorder are also resolved.

6. Alternative therapy

Doctors may also recommend alternative therapy approaches to complement traditional treatments. The popular complementary therapy for the dual diagnosis includes exercise, outdoor hiking, art, and yoga, among others.

The effectiveness of different approaches varies from person to person, so it is important to try different approaches when possible.

Summary

Double-diagnosed cases require slightly more consideration than those with only one substance use disorder.

Fortunately, it is much easier today than it has been in decades to find a rehab center that treats double-diagnosed cases.

In North Texas, directory services like the Dallas Drug Treatment Centers make it easy to find a specialist rehab facility.

Taking the time to consult a psychiatrist before starting treatment will also help you find out which treatment approaches are right for you or your loved ones.

About the author:

Briana Jones is a digital marketer from the Philippines. She is passionate about living a healthy lifestyle and finding ways to achieve modern comfort in a sustainable way. In her free time, she prepares her meals in the kitchen or explores new running routes in the neighborhood. She also loves to travel.