Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Mayfield Heights, OH
A dual diagnosis is a medical condition that occurs when a person has both a mental illness and a substance abuse disorder. When a person engages in dual diagnosis treatment in Mayfield Heights, they can benefit greatly since it incorporates both mental illness care and treatments specifically for substance abuse.
According to Dartmouth University, substance abuse will cause complications in "almost every aspect of care for the person with a mental illness." The more serious a person's mental illness is, the more likely they will suffer from substance abuse. Those with a dual diagnosis most commonly use alcohol, but marijuana and cocaine are also common substances of abuse.
Dual diagnosis is a common condition whose causes can vary. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, an estimated one-half of all people who have a severe mental illness also have a substance abuse problem. In fact, many experts categorize substance abuse as a mental illness on its own. The condition causes a person to experience strong cravings and an almost uncontrollable need to use a substance, even though they know it is harming themselves or others.
A dual diagnosis can be difficult to make because the symptoms of one condition can mask those of the other. Often, a person may use drugs or alcohol as a means of self-medication to try to make themselves feel better or avoid dealing with their emotions. Sometimes, a person's history of abuse can lead them to experience emotions that lead to a mental health disorder. Whatever the underlying cause, a dual diagnosis at our drug rehab in Mayfield Heights can make addiction treatment significantly more complicated. Dual diagnosis treatment in Mayfield Heights must help a person withdraw from drugs and alcohol without adversely affecting their mental health disorder and causing them to experience worsening symptoms.
Types of Mental Health Disorders
A dual diagnosis can be substance abuse paired with any number of mental health disorders. Some disorders are considered more severe than others because they severely impair a person's ability to hold a job and maintain relationships with others. Examples of mental health disorders associated with dual diagnosis include:
Bipolar disorder: Bipolar disorder is a condition that causes a person to fluctuate between emotions of depression and mania, a heightened state of activity. A person with bipolar disorder experiences extreme "highs" of personality that make it difficult to function in daily life.
High Anxiety: While a test or big presentation at work is often enough to cause anxiety, there are some people who experience anxiety that makes it difficult for them to go in public. A person may turn to drugs or alcohol as a means to try and relieve their anxiety.
Schizophrenia: Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness that causes a person to lose touch with reality, such as experiencing hallucinations, including seeing, hearing, and smelling things that are not there.
OCD: Short for obsessive-compulsive disorder, this condition causes a person to become preoccupied with certain thoughts and/or behaviors. Examples could include becoming obsessed with cleanliness or being unable to stop thinking of violent or traumatic things.
Depression: Depression is a serious mental illness that can cause a person to experience feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. A person may even contemplate suicide.
Post-traumatic stress disorder: PTSD is a condition that causes a person to experience vivid flashbacks, anxiety, depression, and difficulty sleeping after a traumatic event. Examples of possible causes of PTSD include after a military battle or natural disaster.
Why Is Dual Diagnosis Treatment Necessary?
When a person suffers from a dual diagnosis, dual diagnosis treatment in Mayfield Heights can help. A common misconception people have surrounding drug addiction and possibly a mental health disorder is that a person can simply decide one day to stop abusing the substance or "snap out of" their medical condition. However, a person who struggles with mental illness and substance abuse cannot simply stop their symptoms or abuse whenever they want.
As little as a decade ago, research was limited regarding the effectiveness of treatments for those who struggled with a dual diagnosis. Today, researchers know that a dual diagnosis is most effectively treated when the person receives treatment for both conditions at the same time. By incorporating all the services in one place, a person can ideally experience the best results.
In addition to medical detox in Mayfield Heights and services that integrate a person's care, those with a dual diagnosis respond best to developing healthy recreational past-times, such as yoga or tai chi as well as building healthy relationships with others. Call us now at (877) 804-1531.