What Is Dual Diagnosis Treatment?

Dual diagnosis treatment is offered when a patient has been identified as suffering from both a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder simultaneously. The presence of both conditions can complicate treatment, but those seeking dual diagnosis treatment at luxury rehab can be assured that they’ll have access to some of the best staff, medications, therapies, and resources available to treat a dual diagnosis. With time, significant improvement can be seen across a wide variety of patients and diagnoses.

What Are Some Common Mental Health Disorders?

For a patient to receive a dual diagnosis, at least one mental health disorder must be present alongside a substance use disorder. These disorders may include:

Mental health disorders can come about from a variety of influencing factors. Patients may inherit aspects of their brain chemistry from their family, while lifestyle factors can also play a role. Having a mental health disorder may increase the likelihood of developing a drug or alcohol addiction while simultaneously making the user more susceptible to the mood-altering effects of illicit substances, making those substances all the more dangerous.

What Are Some Common Substances Of Abuse?

According to the National Institute On Drug Abuse, the below list includes, “commonly used drugs with the potential for misuse or addiction.” The exact substances most individuals with a dual diagnosis will find themselves struggling with depends on the individual case. The patient may be addicted to:

Similarly to how mental health disorders put one at increased risk of addiction, having a substance use disorder may also contribute to the development of a mental health disorder. This is why there can so often be a vicious cycle between the 2 phenomena and why receiving proper treatment for co-occurring disorders is so crucial.

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The Challenges Of Dual Diagnosis Treatment At Luxury Rehab

Addressing a dual diagnosis is no walk in the park. There can be quite a few roadblocks to surmounting this obstacle, a few of which are listed below:

  • Many who struggle with substance use disorders are in denial about their condition or will lie in an attempt to hide it from others.
  • Those with mental health diagnoses may also not be willing to accept the reality of their circumstances. As a result, acknowledging a dual diagnosis can be quite the challenge; patients may reject treatment if offered.
  • Patients with co-occurring disorders may also have trouble with focusing and with processing information, potentially making it difficult for them to comprehend their condition or their treatment options.
  • Drinking alcohol or taking drugs may interfere with the prescription medication offered to treat a mental health disorder, meaning the presence of 1 diagnosis can make it harder to treat another.

As can be seen, a key component of treating a dual diagnosis is getting the individual in question to admit to the nature of their problem and stop engaging in the kind of self-sabotaging behavior that will set back their treatment. This is obviously easier said than done, but the next section includes some of the modalities used for treatment once a prospective patient has entered rehab.

Types Of Dual Diagnosis Treatment At Luxury Rehab

One of the benefits of seeking dual diagnosis treatment at luxury rehab facilities is that the patient has access to some of the best medication, counseling, and experts that money can buy. There will be a good amount of variance in terms of possible treatment options across different rehabs, but it’s a safe bet that treating a dual diagnosis will involve some combination of the below.

  • Medication. Mood-regulating medicines like Beta Blockers and Antidepressants may be offered to those who suffer from depression or anxiety. Antipsychotic medications, like Aripiprazole or Haloperidol, may be prescribed to those experiencing delusions or hallucinations. Alcohol addiction medications, like Disulfiram or Acamprosate, may be given to patients going through detoxification or withdrawal.
  • Counseling. Patients may benefit from one-on-one counseling or attend group sessions where they can relate with other individuals struggling with co-occurring disorders. Common themes in counseling sessions of either type may include learning coping strategies to manage negative moods, exploring early childhood trauma or developmental issues, or learning more about the science of drugs and addiction.
  • Alternative treatment options. Many rehabs, especially luxury rehabs, offer treatments that span a wide range of categories. Holistic options like meditation or yoga may be offered, or a treatment center may even offer equine therapy. Diet may also be leveraged as a powerful tool to facilitate recovery from mental health and substance use disorders, so nutritious meal options offered several times a day at regular intervals (something an individual in recovery may be unused to) may also be a major component of time spent in rehab.

By treating a dual diagnosis on a variety of fronts, it’s possible to make progress and help a patient advance through the stages of recovery. Eventually, a patient may even be able to help others who struggle with co-occurring disorders achieve a lasting and meaningful abstinence from drugs and alcohol.

What Other Amenities Can Aid With Dual Diagnosis Treatment At Luxury Rehab?

Along with the treatment modalities listed above, there are a few additional services that luxury rehabs may be able to provide to assist in dual diagnosis treatment. Some examples are listed below.

  • Spa therapy. Some luxury rehabs may offer spa or sauna services. Often touted in popular culture for their ability to help the body detox from harmful substances, the science doesn’t necessarily indicate that spas or saunas cleanse the body of poisonous chemicals. However, they may aid in muscle relaxation and help a patient in recovery be more comfortable. This could be instrumental in preserving sobriety in early recovery, especially since anxiety and stress can be major triggers for relapse.
  • Exotic animal therapy. As aforementioned, some luxury rehabs may offer equine therapy. This horse-assisted treatment modality has been clinically studied, and 1 analysis found that “reductions in psychological distress and enhancements in psychological well being were significant immediately following treatment.” Animal therapy can extend even further than horses, however, with some organizations bringing in rarely-seen creatures like capybaras and kinkajous to help with emotional support and comfort during recovery.
  • A 24/7 therapist. Mental health concerns can strike at any time of day or night, but many standard rehabs may only offer counseling during the day. A luxury rehab, however, may have a dedicated round-the-clock therapist available for one-on-one sessions at any hour the patient requires. This may be especially helpful for someone struggling with insomnia, which can be a common symptom experienced during the recovery process.

Finding A Rehab

Facing either a substance use disorder or a mental health disorder can be difficult enough: when the 2 go hand-in-hand, all hands on deck are required for a solution. Luckily, you can talk to a treatment provider right now and explore rehab options.