Dual Diagnosis in Delray Beach FL

Dual diagnosis describes the co-existence of two simultaneous conditions, one being a substance use disorder and the other being a mental illness. A dual diagnosis can manifest in numerous ways, with common interactions including depression and alcoholism, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcoholism, anxiety disorders and benzodiazepine abuse, and psychosis and methamphetamine abuse. These conditions often require extensive dual diagnosis treatment at a professional rehab center. At Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers Delray Beach, the mental health and medical experts work together to build the best rehab program available in order to effectively manage and treat both disorders simultaneously. Call Drug Treatment Centers Delray Beach today at (877) 804-1531 for more information about your treatment options and available rehabs and treatment centers for you.

Before admitting a patient to a treatment center, clinicians will attempt to differentiate between pre-existing mental conditions and substance induced disorders. While this might seem like a simple distinction to make, clear lines of causality are often hard to come by. In the majority of cases, complex bi-directional relationships between disorders are more likely.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Addiction

OCD is an anxiety disorder recognized by recurring thoughts, irrational fears and compulsive rituals. People living with this disorder often carry out repeated actions such as counting items, washing their hands and organizing their belongings. While executing these rituals provides temporary relief from anxiety, it soon returns and requires repeated action. OCD can have a devastating effect on people, with psychotherapy and medication often required to alleviate symptoms. People living with OCD are more likely to suffer from drug and alcohol problems, with an estimated 25 percent of patients who seek treatment for OCD also meeting the criteria for a substance use disorder according to the Journal of Anxiety Disorders. The combination of OCD and substance abuse can be dangerous, with patients using drugs to self-medicate their condition, which in turn makes their condition worse.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Addiction

PTSD is a debilitating mental disorder involving recurring intrusive memories and flashbacks. Common causes of PTSD include military service, sexual abuse, violent assault, natural disasters and childhood abuse. People living with PTSD often use drugs and alcohol as a way to self-medicate their condition, with recreational substances providing temporary relief from unwanted emotions. Alcoholism and drug abuse are widely recognized as avoidance symptoms when used in this situation, with patients using chemicals to avoid memories and numb feelings. Alcohol abuse is an especially big problem, with over 50 percent of PTSD patients having a co-occurring alcohol use disorder and over 30 percent being dependent on either prescription or illicit drugs.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

A wide array of medication and psychotherapeutic programs are useful for treating dual diagnosis patients, including conventional counseling and behavioral therapy. While medical detox is often used to enable drug and alcohol discontinuation, a rehabilitation therapy phase is also needed to treat the precedents of dependence. Typical psychotherapy programs include cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational therapy, family therapy, art therapy, music therapy, SMART recovery and relapse prevention. There are four common models used to treat dual diagnosis patients: primary treatment, sequential treatment, parallel treatment, and integrated treatment.

At Drug Treatment Centers Delray Beach, we understand the complexities of addiction and mental health disorders and are experienced in providing the best treatment available. If you or anyone you know is living with a dual diagnosis, call (877) 804-1531, to get assistance in finding the right rehab for you and get started on you journey to recovery.