11th December 2020 • Sticky Post

Treatment for Dual Diagnosis: What You Need To Know

Dual diagnosis generally refers to an addiction that is complicated and exacerbated by a mental health disorder, and is often referred to as a “co-occurring disorder”. Both addiction and mental health disorders are notoriously difficult to treat. Both afflictions are rooted deep in neurological processes, past trauma, and genetic predispositions. When they combine they can have horrendous health consequences for sufferers. Medical studies have demonstrated that co-occurring disorders exacerbate and intensify the already brutal effects of addiction. Research shows that dual diagnosis individuals face challenges such as “greater exacerbation of psychiatric symptoms, medication nonadherence, an increase in aggressive and violent behaviors, poor personal hygiene, emergency room visits, and inpatient psychiatric placements.”

Properly identifying and creating diagnostic tools for identifying those at risk of or suffering from dual diagnosis is difficult. The symptoms of different mental illnesses are extremely varied, ranging from eating disorders to schizophrenia. And the stimuli provided by different substances can create a broad range of behaviors, symptoms, and actions. The National Alliance on Mental Health provides a list of signs that someone may be dealing with addiction and mental health issues, including withdrawing and isolating oneself from friends and family, confused thinking, sudden mood swings, loss of control over substance use, and engaging in risky behavior.

The most common psychiatric disorders associated with addiction and dual diagnosis are generally identified as

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Eating disorders
• Bi-polar
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Schizophrenia

Many sufferers use substances to relieve the symptoms of their psychiatric ailments, and while this may seem to help in the short term, self-medication generally leads to substance abuse, a condition that leads to increased levels of anxiety and intensifies the symptoms of depression. As symptoms of mental health conditions worsen, individuals often become more reliant on drugs and alcohol, creating a negative cycle of dependence and despair.  

Therapeutic Complications

One of the unique challenges in dealing with dual diagnosis is recognizing where problems are coming from. For instance, is the client depressed as a result of withdrawal, remorse over their actions, or an underlying mental issue? Dual diagnosis puts health-care providers in the position of trying to solve the classic “which came first, the chicken or the egg” question. It takes a real commitment from both the patient and the treatment provider to discover the root causes which must be addressed to allow for healing from co-occurring disorders.

Another challenge is that individuals with dual diagnoses present higher risks when put in stressful treatment situations. Statistics show that in the United States, a whopping 90 percent of those who commit suicide are struggling with depression, a substance use disorder, or a combination of the two. Dual diagnosis patients are also more likely to have violent tendencies, and attempt to harm others during treatment. So treatment providers need to have clearly established policies and procedures for maintaining the safety of patients and staff members in order to successfully deal with this thorny problem.

When treating dual-diagnosis disorders, it’s important that those involved be aware that the process will likely be longer and more complicated than traditional substance abuse treatments. Successfully dealing with drug addiction is a difficult and complex process in which relapses are quite common. When you add mental illness into the mix, care and patience are essential elements for healing. Don’t expect a quick fix or a magic bullet. The road to wellness could take months or years to travel, and having realistic expectations and committing to the process is essential for success.

Overcoming Dual Diagnosis

When attempting to treat co-occurring disorders, finding the right treatment provider is incredibly important. Integrating treatment is a fundamentally important element for dealing with dual diagnosis, and because treating these ailments is such an arduous and complex process, finding a facility that is experienced in dealing with these issues is highly recommended. Studies have shown that finding a treatment provider with the capability to treat both of your disorders under one roof can provide have a positive effect on treatment outcomes, and research has also shown that creating an individualized plan for dealing with dual diagnosis is a cornerstone of the most successful programs.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has also shown great promise for treating co-occurring disorders. The treatment, which focuses on teaching patients to unlearn hard-wired behaviors and change their self-perception and decision-making patterns, has changed the lives of thousands suffering from both addiction and mental health issues. Other alternative forms of therapy have also proven beneficial for dealing with the stresses and anxieties related to treatment and withdrawal. Yoga, mindfulness practice, and breathwork have all shown the potential to allow greater control of thoughts, “fight-or-flight” responses, and depressive tendencies.

Another treatment that has the potential to deliver massive benefits in treating dual diagnosis is iboga therapy. Many of the detrimental changes to brain chemistry and neural pathways that are caused by addiction and mental disorders can be re-set through iboga treatment. The substance has been shown to increase neuroplasticity, restore dopamine receptors in the brain to natural levels, and help individuals break free from toxic patterns of thought and behavior. The iboga experience can also offer relief from the symptoms of withdrawal, particularly for those addicted to opiates and opioids. This can allow patients to devote more of their energy to dealing with underlying mental health issues instead of focusing exclusively on breaking free from physical addiction. 

Now What?

Everyone who suffers from a co-occurring disorder will have unique symptoms and hurdles to overcome in treatment. There are no easy solutions, but examining your own needs and challenges and finding an addiction treatment provider who can provide you with the resources that you need will greatly improve your odds of breaking free from this affliction. If you have any questions about our strategies for healing those suffering from co-occurring disorders, get in touch today!