Dual Diagnosis Treatment
At New Seasons, our holistic approach to addiction recovery encompasses dual diagnosis treatment. Many people suffering from chemical dependency also have one or more psychological disorders, which often work together to influence the effect the other has on an individual's mind and body.
If you or someone you love is suffering from chemical dependency and/or a psychiatric disorder, please call New Seasons at our toll free number today. Our dual diagnosis treatment uses science and therapy to diagnose and address both mind and body, helping to ensure complete healing. Our expert and specially trained staff of psychiatrists, registered dietitians, and more are also here to help get you on the road to recovery.
To learn more about the ways dual diagnosis treatment can help you or someone you care for, please contact New Seasons today.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment for Co-Occurring Disorders
To shine a light on the importance of dual diagnosis treatment, a report shows that more than half of those battling drug addiction are also battling at least one significant emotional or mental disorder, such as: depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, and psychiatric disorders.
The ways in which co-occurring disorders "feed" each other can, in many cases, create an overwhelming cycle of dependency. Let's look at a few examples.
Dual Diagnosis: Dependency and Depression
Those suffering from depression may turn to stimulant drugs like cocaine or crystal meth to provide energy and even euphoria that elevates them from the symptoms caused by depression. Because of tolerance issues related to drugs, however, it isn't long before those suffering from the effects of depression become dependant on the relief stimulants bring, and that dependence soon requires more and more stimulant to provide relief. Soon, you or someone you love is not only fighting the mental and physical symptoms of depression, but also the mental and physical effects that come from drug addiction.
Alcohol and depression present an especially common scenario as alcohol is so commonly available. And in its initial effects on the body, it feels like a stimulant. After a few hours, however, the depressant qualities of alcohol take over. Coupled with the effect of depression, those who suffer from depression and alcohol dependency are at a significantly higher risk of committing suicide.
Dual Diagnosis: Dependency and Anxiety
Alcohol, as a depressant, is the most common dependency seen in individuals who suffer from anxiety disorders such as: generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and agoraphobia, among others.
Widely available, and often used in social situations (that can often incite anxiety), alcohol's depressive attributes counter the fear and stress brought on by anxiety disorders. As such, those with anxiety disorders feel relief when consuming alcohol and, in many cases, use it to self-medicate. Naturally, the regular consumption of alcohol does not treat the anxiety disorder, but rather masks it so that those who self-medicate soon face alcohol addiction in addition to the initial anxiety disorder.
Dual Diagnosis: Dependency and Psychiatric Disorders
People with psychiatric disorders, such as personality disorder, suffer from what we deem inappropriate responses to social or stressful situations. These responses can include everything from erratic eating behaviors, to passive aggressiveness, to violent and antisocial outbursts, and even chemical addiction itself.
The complications associated with chemical dependency and psychiatric disorders is that sufferers of psychiatric disorders, like the other examples we've looked at, often turn to drugs or alcohol to combat the symptoms of the psychiatric disorder, thus creating a mental and physical dependency in addition to the psychiatric disorder.
Of particular concern is the notion among many of those suffering from chemical addiction in addition to the psychiatric disorder is that the former is treating the latter, and helping to achieve a greater sense of normalcy or balance. These individuals are especially at risk because they often see no problem; whereas those on the outside can clearly see two problems that are working in tandem to slowly cripple the people we care about.
Since we at New Seasons place equal focus on the physical and psychiatric aspects of whole body rehabilitation, we make dual diagnosis treatment a significant part of our approach.
Through our dual diagnosis treatment, we hold a thorough introductory assessment with each individual we help. This dual diagnosis assessment includes scientific components such as brain mapping. On a personal level, however, we talk to you. We want to learn about you. We want to know what motivates you and what you find off-putting. We do this so that your unique dual diagnosis treatment program addresses your natural concerns as well as the way your dependency and disorder affects you.
To start getting help with dual diagnosis treatment today, please call New Seasons at our toll free number or fill out our contact us form today.
For the most comprehensive, 24-hour dual diagnosis care available, consider the New Seasons Residential Treatment Center option. Through a calm, caring, environment designed to remove you from the stress and other factors that can complicate recovery efforts, our Residential Treatment Center is often the ideal place to begin your dual diagnosis treatment.
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