What You Will Learn in a Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center?

Why are mental health dual diagnosis treatment centers essential to how society functions today? Put simply, many cases of addiction are actually cases of dual diagnosis. While substance use disorders were previously treated before their co-occurring mental health issues in the past, this is no longer the common way to treat dual diagnosis cases involving addiction.

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), nearly half of people struggling with addiction have a co-occurring mental health disorder. These days, a client with a dual diagnosis is typically provided with a customized, comprehensive, and integrated treatment plan. This helps address both their mental health disorders and any interconnected issues.

If you’re searching for the best outpatient or inpatient dual diagnosis treatment center in Texas, call 866.238.3154 or contact Santé Center for Healing’s team online.

What Is a Mental Health Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center? 

As the term implies, these treatment centers usually focus on providing professional help for those with a dual diagnosis—one often being a substance use disorder. Some of these centers may be part of a larger mental health or addiction treatment facility.

Many of the programs dual diagnosis treatment centers offer are very specific because there are only a few mental health disorders that repeatedly co-occur with addiction. For example, there can be a specific dual diagnosis program for people with a diagnosis for both a substance use disorder and PTSD.

In some cases, these mental health disorders may have led to the development of an addiction. Common mental health disorders linked to substance use disorders include the following:

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

People struggling with ADHD may be more likely to abuse addictive substances as a way to cope with their symptoms. Many people with ADHD receive a prescription for stimulants, which can be strong and habit-forming.

Bipolar disorder

About half of all people struggling with bipolar disorder also deal with addiction. Drugs and alcohol can provide temporary relief from manic episodes or emotional situations for people with bipolar disorder.

Borderline personality disorder (BPD)

Studies have shown that addiction and BPD often occur together. More than two-thirds of people with BPD have reportedly abused substances at some point in their lives.

Depression

An estimated one in 10 adults in the U.S. struggles with depression. Many people diagnosed with depression attempt to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol, which often leads to addiction.

Eating disorders

These disorders often stem from strong feelings of inferiority. Using drugs to suppress appetite can start as a last resort to lose weight and end up being an addictive habit.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

This is the most common mental health condition in the U.S., affecting more than 15% of the adult population. People who struggle with GAD may be more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol to manage their symptoms. People with GAD may also abuse prescription benzodiazepines, which are highly addictive drugs for treating anxiety disorders.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

This disorder causes several unwanted obsessions and compulsions. People with OCD often suffer from anxiety and depression as a result of their involuntary behavior, the self-medication of which can lead to addiction.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

A person with PTSD produces fewer endorphins than people with healthy brains. This lack of endorphins may make people like this more likely to turn toward alcohol or drugs to feel happy.

Schizophrenia

This often severe mental health disorder is characterized by delusional thinking and hallucinations. Diagnosing schizophrenia alongside a substance use disorder can be difficult because these conditions typically have overlapping effects. 

What Can Clients Expect From Dual Diagnosis Treatment?

While some clients develop an addiction before being diagnosed with another mental health issue, others become addicted afterward. Whichever developed first, it’s crucial to start healing with a comprehensive and customized treatment plan that targets both disorders simultaneously rather than two plans that treat them separately. 

When deciding on a dual diagnosis treatment program, the first thing to consider is whether or not you or someone you care about can deal with an inpatient program—as this is often the most successful type of professional help you can get. If not, make sure this fact is known by the staff that helps you get admitted into the treatment facility.

You also need to make sure that the facility can treat your specific issues. Most will be able to treat addiction. However, some won’t have the capacity to best treat your other mental health disorder. For example, an addiction treatment facility may focus only on treating addiction when it’s linked to trauma-related issues, which won’t do you much good if you’re struggling with addiction and GAD.

Many dual diagnosis treatment centers use a multitude of evidence-based therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or 12-Step therapy to help clients get better and improve their lives. Group therapy is also common as they help provide advice, feedback, and support to clients while they recover. Family therapy may also be essential for clients to get the support they need after they go home from rehab.

Are There Any Inpatient Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers in Texas?

Yes! The best dual diagnosis treatment centers in Texas—and elsewhere—offer both inpatient and outpatient options to prospective clients. However, for most dual diagnosis cases, the secure and safe environment of an inpatient rehab center can be beneficial. Inpatient dual diagnosis treatment programs give clients a very high level of care and attention. Most provide food and lodging and 24-hour medical monitoring and access to MAT. 

Clients wanting to get admitted into these programs are typically in great distress and poor health already. It wouldn’t do them any good to receive outpatient professional treatment. This is because they wouldn’t be able to focus on anything other than getting better, anyway. Most outpatient clients don’t choose inpatient programs because they still need to deal with and have energy for family, school, social or work responsibilities. 

Dual diagnosis treatment programs in Texas will usually need participants to undergo detox. In fact, some will require medical supervision, so you’ll need to check and see if the center that offers inpatient dual diagnosis treatment also offers medical detox services. You’ll also want to make sure that the residential facility you choose in Texas offers food, lodging, 24-hour care and treatment, mental health services all in one location.

Learn About Santé Center for Healing’s Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program

If you’re searching for the best outpatient or inpatient dual diagnosis treatment center in Texas, call 866.238.3154 or contact Santé Center for Healing’s team online.