Dual Diagnosis: Substance Use and Mental Health Help
If a friend or family member has a dual diagnosis, it can be difficult to know what support is available and what you can do to help. Mental illness and addiction can affect people from all walks of life and all age groups. Dual diagnoses, also referred to as co-occurring disorders, are common.
Inpatient Treatment for Co-occurring Disorders
Treatment at Coral Shores Behavioral Health in Stuart, Florida, may include behavioral therapy, medication and support groups. Patients are taught relapse prevention skills and coping strategies to help them maintain sobriety with the knowledge and skills to live a healthy, active lifestyle.
What is a dual diagnosis?
Dual diagnosis is when someone has a mental health issue and an alcohol or drug problem at the same time. Typically, dual diagnosis disorder occurs as the result of someone attempting to cover up the symptoms of one of the issues. For example, someone with depression may turn to substances to cover up their depression, or someone with alcoholism may suffer from depression related to the disease.
Common co-occurring mental health disorders
While nearly all mental health disorders can be a part of a co-occurring disorder, some of the more common mental health disorders that coincide with substance use include:
- Anxiety
- Mood disorders, including bipolar disorder
- Personality disorders, and more
Benefits of Dual Diagnosis Treatment
The goal of addiction counseling and mental health treatment is always to provide you with the skills necessary to maintain sobriety and prevent relapse. Many substance use disorders are caused by mental health disorders and vice versa. Treating one and not the other can increase your chance of relapse after treatment.
Dual diagnosis inpatient treatment helps ensure that both your mental health and co-occurring substance use disorder are addressed, helping to prevent relapses and encourage sobriety well after treatment.
Here when you need us the most
Dedicated staff at Coral Shores is here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to support you. Call 772-403-4000 to schedule a confidential assessment, or visit our Stuart location.
If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis, call 988 or go to the nearest emergency department. If you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest ER.
