Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Lakewood, CO
If you or a loved one is struggling with a substance use disorder (SUD), you are not alone. According to the NIDA, a shocking 8.6% of the population in the United States alone needed treatment for a problem related to alcohol or drugs. Of this figure, less than 1% received it. Fortunately, drug rehab centers such as dual diagnosis treatment in Lakewood are available to help. Learn more below to discover how you can get started on the path towards recovery.
What is Addiction?
Many people assume that addiction is an internal problem in which sufferers lack willpower, but this couldn't be further from the truth. The NIH defines addiction as a chronic brain disease that causes addicts to compulsively seek out and abuse substances despite knowing about the health consequences. Like any other chronic disease, professional intervention from a reputable dual diagnosis treatment facility is necessary.
What is a Dual Diagnosis?
The term "dual diagnosis" simply refers to the presence of an addiction and a mental illness in a person. These two conditions often appear together for a variety of reasons. For starters, substances such as drugs and alcohol are often used to temporarily escape from reality. Individuals living with mental illness may choose to self-medicate with substances and eventually find themselves battling one or more addictions. Substance abuse can also lead to the development of mental illness such as depression, schizophrenia and even anxiety disorders. Dual diagnosis treatment programs are ready to help you break the destructive cycle of addiction.
What Are the Most Commonly Dual Diagnosed Mental Illnesses?
There are many types of mental illnesses commonly diagnosed with a substance use disorder. Anxiety disorders are among the most apparent. This classification includes the following:
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Panic disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Social phobia
Anxiety disorders share common symptoms such as panic attacks, excessive amounts of stress, and unwarranted fears. Depression often accompanies anxiety disorders and can lead persons to isolate themselves socially. Self-isolation is a major warning sign that should be taken seriously as it can indicate the presence of a serious substance use disorder, self-harm or worse — suicidal thoughts.
Other conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are often associated with addiction. Schizophrenics struggle with maintaining touch with reality and may experience auditory and visual hallucinations, excessive agitation and paranoia. Individuals living with bipolar disorder may also feel out of touch with reality and experience phases of high-energy followed by severe depression.
If you believe that you or a loved one is living with mental illness and struggling with addiction, seek help in the form of dual diagnosis rehab immediately.
How Can Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Lakewood Help?
Traditional addiction treatment centers tackle addiction alone. As a result, they do not meet the diverse needs of dual diagnosis patients. This is why it is critical to get help from a reputable dual diagnosis drug rehab in Lakewood.
Treatment centers that specialize in co-occurring disorders offer on-site counseling, psychiatric services and therapies designed to target the specific needs of their patients. These types of programs tend to focus on creating lasting behavioral changes in patients. Part of this goal is the development of healthy coping skills.
By working one-on-one with a treatment professional, you can look forward to exploring new and sustainable coping mechanisms that you can use whenever you feel a craving or are facing triggers. A reliable support system, finding new hobbies, and deep breathing strategies are just a few of the strategies implemented in treatment.
Therapy plays a large role in dual diagnosis treatment. Facilities understand that therapy is not one-size-fits-all, which is why many different options are often made available. The following are most popular:
Counseling: Also known as one-on-one therapy, counseling provides patients with a safe space to express themselves. It enables them to work with a professional who can help them work through problems during treatment.
Group therapy: This type of therapy allows patients to interact with one another in a positive way. Community-building methodologies are often integrated.
Alternative therapies: Alternative therapies such as art therapy, music therapy and meditation offer a unique approach to treatment and are often used alongside traditional options.
Addiction can feel overwhelming, lonely and even hopeless at times, but recovery is more attainable than you may think. Get started on your journey towards wellness by looking into dual diagnosis treatment in Lakewood, and learn more about our other addiction treatment programs in Lakewood. Call us now at (877) 804-1531.