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What Is Dual Diagnosis?

Dual diagnosis occurs when an individual has been diagnosed with substance use disorder as well as a mental health disorder. Sometimes called a co-occuring disorder or a comorbidity, dual diagnosis can exacerbate the symptoms of substance use disorder when left untreated.

Common co-occurring disorders include (but are not limited to):

  • ADD/ADHD
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Bipolar disorders and other mood disorders
  • Depressive disorders
  • Eating disorders
  • Personality disorders
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
We Offer Evidence Based Dual Diagnosis Treatments Designed to Develop a Healthy Life

What Causes Dual Diagnosis?

It is not uncommon for those with an untreated mental health disorder to self-medicate to help alleviate some of the symptoms of their condition when they become unbearable. Self-medication involves drug abuse and alcohol and can ultimately develop into addiction.

When the individual develops substance abuse disorder along with the original mental health condition, dual diagnosis program is needed to help restore balance and achieve long-term recovery.

What Do Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers Do?

Dual diagnosis rehab like The Heights Treatment uses evidence-based therapies to help individuals work through traumas and challenges to recover from their addiction while overcoming or managing symptoms of mental health disorders.

Dual diagnosis treatment center will create an individualized treatment plan that meets each individual where they are and uses therapies that are most conducive to their recovery.

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What Does Dual Diagnosis Treatment Look Like at the Heights Treatment?

At The Heights Treatment, we believe that each person must be self-empowered to overcome harmful behaviors and addiction. That’s why every one of our programs is created specifically for each individual in our care. Your treatment plan is tailored to your specific needs so that you have the absolute best chance at lifelong healing.

We treat the following disorders at our dual diagnosis recovery center:

Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol addiction affects millions of Americans each year. Alcohol is commonly used for those with a mental health condition as a way to relieve symptoms of mental health disorders, trauma, or turmoil. When an addiction to alcohol is developed, alcohol addiction treatment services become necessary.

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Gambling Addiction

Gambling addictions are not uncommon. As the brain’s risk and reward center becomes rewired to crave the next “high,” many people succumb to a gambling addiction and can lose their life savings, homes, jobs, and even families.

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Love & Sex Addiction

With love and sex addiction, individuals struggle with maintaining healthy boundaries and feelings surrounding emotional or physical intimacy. While desiring intimacy is normal and healthy, love and sex addicts develop an addiction to these feelings and are unable to stop their compulsions and begin to engage in riskier behavior that can result in loss of relationships, divorce, isolation, and sexually transmitted diseases.

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Technology Addiction

A technology addiction can be the inability to remove oneself from the internet, unhealthy cell phone usage, social media addiction, or even gaming addictions. While modern society all but requires us to use some kind of technology, devices can lead to unhealthy behaviors and obsession. Technology addiction is a growing concern in advanced societies and is seen increasingly more often in dual diagnosis treatment.

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Co-occuring Mental Health Disorders

Substance use disorders come in many forms, from opioid addiction to benzo addiction to stimulant addiction and more. If you have found yourself using drugs to combat the uncomfortable symptoms of mental disorders, seeking treatment from dual diagnosis treatment facility is key to stabilizing your mental health and regaining clarity. It is important that if you or a loved one are suffering from drug abuse that you seek medical help before abruptly stopping drugs. Quitting some substances “cold turkey” can lead to fatal consequences.

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At The Heights, we believe that each person must be self-empowered to overcome harmful behaviors and addiction

Evidence-Based Modalities for Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Our outpatient treatment programs focus on modalities that empower the whole person. We use evidence-based therapies with scientific data and studies behind them.

Our behavioral health and addiction treatment center uses a combination of individual and group therapy to create a holistic approach to substance abuse and mental health disorder treatment.

Our therapies include:

FAQs About Anxiety Disorder Treatment

We’ve answered some of your most common questions anxiety disorder treatment:

What is the most effective treatment for dual diagnosis?

There is no definitive answer to what the most effective treatment is for people struggling with dual diagnosis. Everyone’s path to healing is different. Many individuals who suffer from co-occurring mental illness and addiction find that they heal best with Art Therapy while others find that EMDR or family therapy is the most beneficial.

Your care team will monitor your progress closely and work with you to ensure that you are getting the most out of your therapies.

Is There a Cure for Dual Diagnosis?

There is no “cure” for dual diagnosis. Healing from dual diagnosis takes a multitude of treatment modalities and commitment to long-term healing. It is important to note that some mental health conditions can be overcome while others can be managed. Conditions like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia can be managed and treated but do not entirely go away.

Should I Live in Sober Living or at Home During Drug or Alcohol Rehab?

You should live in the place that is most conducive to your healing. While many patients choose to stay in sober living throughout treatment, if you feel more comfortable at home or cannot commit to living in sober housing, speak with your family members to ensure that your home is a recovery-positive environment.

What are Some Symptoms of Dual Diagnosis?

If you have a mental health issue that you have been managing by self-medicating with drugs or alcohol and cannot stop at will, you might be diagnosed with co-occurring addiction and mental health disorder.

If you find yourself struggling with either your mental health care, drug dependency or alcohol abuse, seek substance abuse treatment before either condition worsens.

What’s the Difference Between Residential Treatment and Outpatient Care?

Residential treatment, also known as inpatient care, requires patients to stay in the facility 24 hours per day throughout the duration of their treatment. An outpatient rehab center allows patients to live in their own homes or in sober living and attend therapies during the day.

Will My Insurance Cover a Rehab Program?

Many major insurance plans will cover addiction and mental health disorder treatment. When you speak to one of our admissions specialists, we will contact your insurance provider to discover your benefits.

Is Dual Diagnosis Treatment Better Than a Support Group?

Independent support groups are a fantastic complement to outpatient treatment, however, it is important to note that not all support groups are managed by experienced clinicians, whereas dual diagnosis disorder centers are. If you join a support group as an additional means of support and recovery, do your research or speak with your care team for recommendations.

The Heights: Dual Diagnosis Treatment Programs for Lifelong Healing

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with addiction and a co-occuring disorder, you are not alone. At The Heights Treatment, we’re here to help you overcome drug addiction, alcohol addiction, and co-occurring mental health conditions.

There is a better way to live. Hope for the future begins at The Heights Treatment. Call and speak with our admissions specialists today.

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