How to Find the Best Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center?

If you're struggling with co-occurring disorders (anxiety, PTSD, depression, etc) and alcoholism, there's no doubt that your life is in crisis. You may be feeling like there's no way out, but if you have the will to fight and the support of friends and family members on your side, then consider getting help from an experienced treatment center. However, picking a program can be difficult when all the options seem just as good as each other. Read ahead and find out how to find the best dual diagnosis center.

What is Dual Diagnosis?

Dual diagnosis is a term used to describe a medical condition where a patient suffers from both mental illness and substance abuse. This can affect those who are addicted to substances such as alcohol and drugs, or those who have been diagnosed with mental health disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia.

What Are the Signs That Someone Needs a Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center?

A person with a dual diagnosis has both a co-occurring substance use disorder and a mental illness. Common mental illnesses that are observed along with addiction are:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Bipolar disorder
• PTSD
• ADHD
• Schizophrenia

People struggling with cooccurring disorders can discover more about the symptoms of their illness from dual-diagnosis treatment centers near them. When people who struggle with addiction start withdrawing from their ties to their family and friends, that is one of the first signs of a problem. The person could also struggle to control their usage of drugs or their everyday chores. Not only that one of the first signs to look out for are unpredictable mood swings. 

The person struggling with co-occurring disorders starts using the drug under risky circumstances after building up a strong tolerance to it over time. They can disregard their health and believe that they must use the drug in order to function normally. Patients can advance in their sobriety with the help of addiction counseling services. Commonly used therapies in a dual-diagnosis addiction treatment center are:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Dialectical behavioral therapy

These mentioned signs should not be ignored and people struggling with addiction should seek help as soon as possible.

What Happens in Dual Diagnosis Treatment?

As the dual diagnosis treatment focuses on addressing both mental and psychological issues, here is what happens:  

When you first enter a dual diagnosis treatment facility, you'll meet with a team of professionals. The team will likely include a mental health professional, an addiction counselor, and a medical doctor.

During your stay at a dual diagnosis treatment facility, you'll attend individual sessions with an addiction counselor to talk about your issues with substance abuse. You'll also take part in group therapy sessions and peer support groups.

Dual diagnosis group therapy sessions are meetings where you can share your concerns and experiences with others who have the same condition as you. A therapist who specializes in dual diagnosis recovery will lead the group session.

Your doctor may recommend medication for any underlying psychiatric condition(s) that contribute to your substance abuse problem. Your physician may prescribe medication such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, or mood stabilizers. Or your doctor may prescribe medicines like stimulants or opioid painkillers to treat the physical symptoms of drug withdrawal or dependence. Commonly used medications are:

• Suboxone
• Subutex
• Naltrexone
• Methadone

Many people with substance use disorder suffer from chronic health problems. This is especially true for people who have been using drugs for some time. Just addressing addiction may not result in long-term recovery, rather all the other psychological and physical ailments should also be addressed to achieve the goal. 

How to find the best dual diagnosis center?- 5 tips that may help!

Choosing a facility with experienced staff can make all the difference in your recovery process. The right people will guide you through every step of treatment and help ensure that you're getting the most out of treatment. Staff members should be trained in dual diagnosis treatment methods and have experience working with people suffering from both disorders simultaneously.

Finding a facility that includes psychiatrists and other mental health professionals is the first step to finding the best treatment for your dual diagnosis. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in treating mental health disorders. They can prescribe medications to help treat your condition, diagnose it, and provide counseling or therapy as well.

It's important to select a center with proven treatment methods that include counseling, individual and group therapy, education, and aftercare planning. This will ensure that you get the most out of your visit by helping you understand how each person should be treated differently based on their specific needs. A quality center will provide counseling and therapy to help you with life skills as well as addiction treatment.

• Pick a facility with strong success rates and good reviews from past clients.
• Research the center and its staff.
• Talk to past clients about their experience at the facility, how they were treated, and how often they were monitored during treatment.

Addiction treatment may be a little expensive, but don’t worry. In the US, most addiction treatment centers will accept all private and state-funded Insurance. You just need to do a proper background check and verify with your Insurance provider before starting treatment. 

The bottom line… 

Choosing the right dual-diagnosis treatment center can make a difference in your recovery process. If you're struggling with substance abuse, it's important that you find an environment where staff members are trained to treat your specific needs and issues. Remember, the best dual-diagnosis treatment facility is the one that you feel comfortable with. You want to make sure that people who work there understand your needs, and that they can help you get well.