Byline: Wyles Daniel
Mental health and substance use disorders can pose a challenge for patients and their loved ones, but dual diagnoses often go overlooked. In some circumstances, these issues can coexist for a single patient, requiring an approach that addresses both conditions for a more effective outcome. For patients with dual diagnoses, rehabseo.com.au helps connect them with clinics that meet their unique needs.
The Challenge of Dual Diagnosis
Studies have suggested that about half of people who experience a substance use disorder will also face a mental health disorder, and vice versa. In 2023, about 20.4 million adults in the United States had some form of dual diagnosis. Unfortunately, the co-occurrence of these disorders can lead to worsening symptoms for either a patient’s mental health or substance use, or both concerns at once.
“Untreated mental health issues can cause substance use problems to get worse,” a Cleveland Clinic article reads. “And when substance use increases, your mental health problems may worsen. This can be a tough cycle to break.”
The Need for Integrated Care
When a mental health professional attempts to help someone struggling with a mental health disorder, their efforts may be limited by underlying substance use; the same is true in the opposite case. Ultimately, separate treatments fail to address the root cause of a dual diagnosis and the fact that each disorder may feed into the other. In these cases, an integrated treatment plan is likely to be more beneficial.
Integrated care involves collaboration between mental health professionals and addiction specialists, who develop tailored therapies to achieve higher success rates. Compared with isolated treatment methods, this approach is tailored to patients with a dual diagnosis rather than focusing on either disorder.
“Addiction is rarely just about substance use,” Lakisha Davis wrote for MetaPress. “It’s often a symptom of deeper emotional pain. Dual diagnosis care addresses these underlying issues, helping individuals to heal both physically and mentally. By prioritizing mental health in the recovery process, patients have a stronger foundation for long-term sobriety and overall well-being.”
Treatment Approaches That Work
Addiction and mental health pose their own challenges, but dual diagnosis compounds upon these issues. For this reason, finding a treatment approach in this space may be more difficult than traditional solutions. However, several solutions have been shown to improve patient well-being. These include psychotherapy, inpatient rehabilitation, supportive housing, and similar personalized treatment solutions.
Choosing the Right Support System
Many treatment plans can be beneficial for a dual-diagnosis patient, but an individualized program is likely to have the greatest impact. Patients and their loved ones should look for programs that are trauma-informed, flexible, and customizable. Institutions with significant, positive, and consistent web traffic may be a good starting point for those seeking treatment.
FAQ
Q: What is dual diagnosis treatment?
A: Dual diagnosis is a rehab treatment that attempts to address both mental health issues and substance use simultaneously.
Q: How is dual diagnosis different from standard treatment?
A: In some cases, standard programs may overlook underlying mental health disorders. Similarly, they may neglect to consider substance use as a factor.
Q: Can dual diagnosis be treated without medication?
A: Not every case required medication, but many patients would benefit from a prescription to support long-term recovery. Ultimately, a dual diagnosis professional will determine the best treatment for the individual patient.
Q: Are there dual diagnosis treatment centers in Australia?
A: Australia offers a variety of integrated care programs, but it is essential to look for rehab centers that specialize in dual diagnosis, co-occurring disorder, or comorbidity treatment.