Addiction is a complex disease that is not caused by any one thing. Most people who struggle with a substance use disorder deal with various factors that led to the development of their addiction. With that being said, many individuals who have a substance use disorder also have a mental health condition.
When you have a mental health condition and suffer from addiction, this is known as having co-occurring disorders. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “approximately 9.2 million adults in the United States have a co-occurring disorder.”[1]
If you struggle with co-occurring disorders, you must receive treatment for both of your conditions at the same time. Thankfully, dual-diagnosis treatment programs in New Jersey can provide you with treatment for addiction and mental health simultaneously.
If you or a loved one are wondering whether dual diagnosis rehab is right for you, look out for the following five signs:
1. You Have Tried Traditional Rehab Without Success
Have you gone to an addiction treatment program before and relapsed after leaving the facility? Were you dealing with uncomfortable emotions and symptoms of a mental health condition? If so, you might require dual diagnosis treatment.
If you suffer from a co-occurring disorder and only receive treatment for your addiction, the symptoms of your psychiatric condition could cause you to relapse later on. A dual diagnosis program can help you address both conditions at once, reducing your risk of relapse later on.
2. You Experienced Extended Periods of Sadness and Hopelessness
Did you experience periods of intense sadness, hopelessness, or depression before you even began abusing drugs and alcohol? If so, you could be struggling with depression or another mental health condition. It is extremely common for people with these types of mental health conditions to begin abusing substances to cope with their untreated symptoms.
Attending a dual diagnosis program in New Jersey can ensure that you receive the mental health and addiction treatment you need to make a full recovery.
3. You Struggle With Mood Swings, Hallucinations, or Suicidal Thoughts
If you began abusing substances to cope with unpredictable mood swings, hallucinations, or suicidal thoughts, you must seek dual diagnosis treatment. All of these experiences are signs of a severe untreated mental health condition. While substance abuse can temporarily soothe some of these symptoms, using drugs only worsens them in the long run.
By enrolling in a dual diagnosis treatment program in New Jersey, you can receive the therapy and medication you need to successfully manage your mental health condition. Additionally, these programs will provide you with the treatment necessary to achieve long-term sobriety and address substance abuse triggers without picking up a drink or a drug.
4. You Use Substances to Cope With Uncomfortable Feelings
The main reason that people with mental health conditions develop a co-occurring substance use disorder is self-medication. Self-medicating refers to using drugs or alcohol to cope with uncomfortable feelings, emotions, or psychiatric symptoms that are not being properly managed.
While factors like genetic predispositions and your environment can contribute to the likelihood of you developing an addiction, self-medication is typically the catalyst.
During dual diagnosis treatment in New Jersey, mental health experts will help you narrow down the root causes of your addiction. After the root cause is identified, you will learn how to overcome the traumas of your past, manage the symptoms of your mental health condition effectively, and achieve long-term sobriety from alcohol or drugs.
5. You Have Been Diagnosed With a Mental Health Condition and Suffer From Addiction
Lastly, if you have been diagnosed with a mental health condition before or after you developed your substance use disorder, dual diagnosis treatment may be right for you. Dual-diagnosis treatment programs in New Jersey can treat any type of mental health condition you might suffer from.
Some of the most common conditions treated in dual diagnosis rehab centers include:[1]
- Anxiety disorders like social anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Depressive disorders like major depressive disorder (MDD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Personality disorders like borderline personality disorder (BPD)
- Psychotic disorders like schizophrenia
The symptoms of your mental illness and your addiction can trigger one another, causing each of your conditions to worsen over time without the proper treatment.
Get Connected to a Top-Rated Dual Diagnosis Rehab Center in New Jersey
If you or a loved one have a mental health condition and an addiction at the same time, you must consider attending dual diagnosis treatment.
At Moving Mountains, we provide a full continuum of care for our dual-diagnosis clients. From medication-assisted detox and mental health evaluation to evidence-based individual and group counseling, our dual diagnosis program is built for success and long-term healing.
While there is no cure for mental health and addiction disorders, we work to provide our clients with all of the tools needed for long-term symptom management and recovery.
If you or a loved one require treatment for co-occurring disorders, look no further. Our qualified and compassionate staff at Moving Mountains Recovery Center are here to help. Contact us today for more information on our dual diagnosis treatment program in New Jersey.
References:
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Co-Occurring Disorders and Other Health Conditions, Retrieved June 2023 From https://www.samhsa.gov/medications-substance-use-disorders/medications-counseling-related-conditions/co-occurring-disorders
