In order to feel relief from the symptoms of mental health issues, it is common for people to self-medicate. This is dangerous because—while unregulated combinations of drugs may cause short-term relief, they often have harmful consequences on people’s health, family life, and ability to function. In some cases, a mental health issue can be caused by substance use. In other cases, substance use disorder can be caused by a mental health issue. It is also possible for the two conditions to develop simultaneously. In order to address two issues at once, we recommend a dual diagnosis treatment center. Contact Sunstone Recovery at 855.833.9199 to learn more.
What Is a Dual Diagnosis?
Having a dual diagnosis technically means having two separate but equal conditions simultaneously. A person who is diagnosed, for example, with anxiety and alcohol use disorder is considered to have a dual diagnosis. They could result from or cause one another or be completely unrelated. The difference between dual diagnosis and co-occurring disorders is that the latter is almost always regarding a mental health issue that results from or contributes to an alcohol or drug addiction. The more interwoven these conditions become, the more difficult they are to treat.
What Are the Benefits of Dual Diagnosis Treatment?
There are many benefits to receiving treatment for a dual diagnosis instead of only seeking treatment for one issue. Mental health and addiction are highly linked because of their risk factors; both can result from environmental factors or heredity. In addition, the changes that occur in the brain from substance use increase a person’s chance of developing mental health issues. Regardless of which triggered the other or what ultimately led to each diagnosis, getting treatment for both is key. Here are the benefits of dual diagnosis treatment.
Holistic Treatment
When treatment is pieced together, the diagnoses don’t talk to each other. In a holistic approach, treatment considers the whole person; mind, body, and soul. It is comprehensive and looks at what the person truly needs all around. This gives a better understanding of the person, their disorders, and the situation. Treating only one issue will not remove the potential triggers the second issue may have on the first, meaning that relapse is more likely and treatment is never fully complete. Dual diagnosis treatment looks at everything at once.
Normalization
Once a person has a better understanding of their diagnoses, it helps their treatment team design a roadmap for their recovery. Having a dual diagnosis is not rare, and many people across the country deal with the problem. Finding the right online therapist can make a huge difference. Being in a program that acknowledges this can help spur recovery as it reduces the stigma that comes with taking medications, seeking treatment, or having the issues. It can also be helpful for a person’s family to learn that it is normal, which will help them provide the support that is so critical to recovery.
Sunstone Recovery Provides Online Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Mental health and addiction do not need to rule your life. Sunstone Recovery wants to help if you or someone you know is feeling the strain of a dual diagnosis. We offer the following virtual mental health programs for our patients:
- Depression treatment
- Telehealth addiction treatment
- Bipolar disorder treatment
As a fully remote intensive outpatient program and dual diagnosis facility, we focus on treating mental health and substance use challenges in adults. Virtual therapy is proven to be effective and provides a convenient solution for the adults in the program. Call us today at 855.833.9199 or visit our website for more information.
