Dual Diagnosis Treatment Programs in Wichita KS

Dual diagnosis is when a person suffers from both a substance abuse addiction as well as a mental illness. Dual diagnosis is a common occurrence that can make each individual condition more difficult to treat.

Dual diagnosis treatment is a rehabilitation and mental health program that is adjusted to address both types of disorders simultaneously. It is important to seek out various rehab centers that offer dual diagnosis treatment before choosing one. For help, call Wichita Drug Treatment Centers at (877) 804-1531.

The Mental Health Disorders and Addiction Connection

Dual diagnoses can range in severity from mild depression in a person who suffers from alcohol abuse to abusing methamphetamine while a person with bipolar disorder is experiencing a manic episode.

Each person may arrive at a dual diagnosis in different ways. For example, some people suffer from a mental illness and may use drugs or alcohol as a means to self-medicate and attempt to feel better. Others may abuse drugs and develop a mental health disorder, such as depression, due to their drug abuse.

While mental illness symptoms can range in severity, an addiction to drugs or alcohol is always a serious and severe concern.

Mental Health Disorders Commonly Associated With Addiction

One-third of all people who have a mental illness and 50 percent of people with a severe mental illness suffer from a dual diagnosis, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. These statistics are similar when looking at people who struggle with certain addictions. For example, one-third of all people who abuse alcohol and one-half of all people who abuse drugs experience a dual diagnosis.

While a dual diagnosis can encompass a number of mental illnesses, some seem to occur more frequently in those suffering from substance abuse. Examples include the following:

Eating disorders: Those who struggle with eating disorders often try to control their weights or feel out of control as to their eating habits. They may abuse medications as a means to suppress appetite or reduce negative and/or racing thoughts.
Depression: Depression, or feelings of sadness and hopelessness, commonly occurs in those who struggle with addiction. Depression can range from mild to severe and can even result in a person experiencing suicidal thoughts.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): PTSD occurs after a person has experienced a traumatic event, such as military combat, abuse or a natural disaster. A person may abuse substances to reduce racing or negative thoughts and memory flashbacks.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): This condition causes a person to become fixated on certain thoughts and behaviors. A person may commonly abuse opiates as a means to relax or escape racing thoughts.
Anxiety: Anxiety can cause a person to unusual fears and heightened reactions when compared with the reactions of others. Because anxiety can create a sense of panic, a person may turn to drug abuse as a means to feel less panicked.

What Dual Diagnosis Treatments Are Available?

A person can rarely overcome his or her substance abuse problems without addressing and working to manage a mental illness. Examples of dual diagnosis treatment approaches include:

Psychopharmacology: Psychopharmacology is the administration of medications as a means to correct chemical imbalances in the brain that can lead to mental illness.
Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy allows a person to explore his or her emotions related to substance abuse and mental illness. Therapy approaches can be individual or on a group basis.
Behavioral Management: Behavioral management involves educating a person to anticipate feelings and emotions related to drug abuse that can tempt a person to return to alcohol or drug abuse.

While neither mental illness nor substance abuse can be cured, both conditions can be managed. Dual diagnosis treatment can effectively allow a person to maintain long-term sobriety. A person must undergo continued care, such as at a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program, seeing a therapist or participating in a support group, as a means to live the healthiest and happiest life possible.

For more information on drug rehab and dual diagnosis treatments, contact Wichita Drug Treatment Centers at (877) 804-1531.