If a person abuses substances and suffers from a psychological illness, the condition is a co-occurring disorder. This means that the individual is diagnosed with one or more mental problems and a substance use disorder. Studies show that an estimated 40 million adults in the US have a psychological problem, with about 14 million of these people abusing illegal drugs. If you are suffering from a co-occurring disorder, seek treatment at a dual diagnosis treatment center like Atlanta Center for Mental Health.
Fortunately, you can receive treatment for co-occurring disorders at a rehab center. At our facility, you will benefit from a combination of various treatment programs, such as:
- Dual-diagnosis
- Addiction treatment
- Outpatient treatment
- Partial hospitalization program
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
What Are Co-Occurring Disorders?
A 2014 study conducted by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) revealed that an estimated 8 million adults in the US suffer from a co-occurring disorder. This shows that the epidemic is prevalent, and millions are at risk. In most cases, mental illness and addiction are intertwined.
While anyone can suffer from addiction, regardless of gender, occupation, social status, and race, those with a mental problem are at a higher risk of developing the habit. Several factors can increase the risk of a co-occurring disorder, including failure to accept a mental illness diagnosis, genetics, adverse life trauma, chronic drug abuse, and improper mental illness treatment.
Many people may want to know what comes first between mental illness and addiction. The answer depends on the particular case. For example, some people start abusing drugs as a way of self-medication to relieve the symptoms of mental illness. A mentally ill person faces extraordinarily uncomfortable and unbearable emotions, which can lead to the abuse of drugs and alcohol.
In some cases, untreated and chronic substance use disorders can lead to a mental issue that may lead you to seek help at a mental health treatment center. Addiction alters the brain’s chemical composition, leading to a broad range of mental disorders. As a result, an addict starts developing severe symptoms of an undiagnosed mental illness.
Signs of Co-Occurring Disorders
A mental disorder can come with a variety of symptoms depending on the circumstances. For example, while some people with anxiety may be overly cautious, others with the same mental illness can be nervous, hazardous, and erratic. There is no specific way to determine the symptoms since addiction affects every person differently.
The same applies to those with a co-occurring disorder, so it may be challenging to know the signs the addict will exhibit. However, some common symptoms of underlying substance abuse and mental illnesses include:
- Refusing to seek professional help
- A shift in personality
- Unbalanced family and work-life
- Sudden lack of interest in things the addict previously loved
- Failure to maintain a relationship or job
- Sudden mood changes
- Avoiding social gatherings
At Atlanta Center for Mental Health, our residential mental health treatment program can help you overcome symptoms of both your substance abuse addiction and mental illness.
Treatment for Co-Occurring Disorders
What are co-occurring disorders, and what may happen during treatment? At rehab, therapists don’t focus on the condition that occurred first. Instead, they aim to treat both disorders simultaneously through an individual therapy program.
Rehab centers have the right equipment and qualified experts who will first examine you to establish the severity of the condition. They will then recommend a proper personalized treatment depending on the addict’s needs.
Conventional treatment methods in rehab include medical detox, a group therapy program, and evidence-based therapies. Addressing both conditions is critical as it reduces the chances of the victim relapsing due to the unaddressed problem.
Contact Atlanta Center for Mental Health
It is critical to understand the conditions of a co-occurring disorder and how to seek treatment to help yourself or a loved one. Don’t let the symptoms of a co-occurring disease affect your life when treatment is available at the rehab. Contact Atlanta Center for Mental Health at 833.625.0458 to schedule an appointment.
