Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center in NJ

An Overview of Some Common Co-Occurring Disorders

Some of the disorders which commonly co-occur with addiction include various anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, etc.

Anxiety: There are varying types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and panic disorder. Anxiety is generally characterized by consistent and excessive worry or fear.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Also known as PTSD, this disorder often affects people who have gone through a traumatic experience. This includes individuals who have been physically abused, witnessed a crime, been involved in combat, or experienced a serious incident such as a car crash.

Bipolar Disorder: People who have bipolar disorder often experience a combination of mania and depression. The episodes of mania may involve symptoms such as hyperactivity and racing thoughts. Episodes of depression may be characterized by extreme sadness and feelings of worthlessness, helplessness, or hopelessness. Bipolar disorder must be treated by a professional.

Depression: This disorder is often characterized by feelings of sadness and uselessness. Individuals may also lose interest in activities they once enjoyed and become more pessimistic.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment: Managing Substance Abuse and Mental Health Disorders

Many times, people who have mental health disorders in addition to substance abuse problems feel unsure about how to get the best help for their journey to recovery. It can be difficult to determine which treatment centers can offer the right kind of assistance, especially when both mental health and physical health are involved.

There are also many instances in which treatment centers overlook or do not recognize the signs of mental illness in the lives of their clients. As a result, they often treat the addiction problems that exist in their patients without properly addressing co-occurring disorders.

This can be very problematic. If individuals receive treatment for substance use without getting help in addressing their mental health needs, they are put at risk for relapse since they were not equipped with the skills they need to avoid becoming overwhelmed by the symptoms of their mental health disorders.

Our Approach to Substance Abuse and Addiction Treatment

Here at Discovery Institute, we are committed to making sure that our clients receive the necessary medical services and help that they need to successfully overcome substance abuse and mental health issues in their lives. Those with a severe substance use disorder typically will undergo medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and enter residential treatment. People who can live at home while still receiving addiction treatment will receive outpatient services at our outpatient dual diagnosis rehab center.

Our specialists are trained to recognize the symptoms of these disorders. We understand that, for many people in our co-occurring dual diagnosis program, the symptoms of underlying mental health conditions and other contributing factors to addiction. So, we work to identify and address them through utilizing evidence-based integrated treatment.

At our dual diagnosis treatment facility, we diagnose and treat anxiety disorders, mood disorders, etc. Symptoms of an anxiety disorder and depression can range from minor to severe enough to impact a person’s day-to-day life. When severe symptoms are unmanaged, many people begin to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol, which leads to addiction. When mental disorders symptoms are managed through medication and therapy, the likelihood of turning to drugs and alcohol greatly decreases.

Substance dependence and mood disorders often go hand-in-hand, but still need two different treatment approaches, which is why it is called co-occurring. Discovery Institute’s dual diagnosis treatment center works with each client to come up with a unique co-occurring program based on their specific needs.

While we work to wean our clients off of the drugs or alcohol they were dependent upon, we also treat their secondary mood disorder with appropriate, non-habit-forming medication management and behavioral therapy such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, etc.

We work to provide alternatives to drugs and alcohol to prevent relapse in the future. A client’s co-occurring issues are re-assessed throughout treatment to determine if medication and therapy need to be altered. Our goal is to have our client’s dual diagnosis correctly managed by the time they leave treatment and to provide healthy alternatives and tools to combat addiction.

Receive Mental Health Care and Substance Abuse Treatment at Discovery Institute

If you or someone you know is suffering from substance abuse as well as a mental health disorder, there is hope! Here at Discovery Institute’s dual diagnosis treatment center, we are dedicated to bringing people into the light of freedom from addiction and mental health challenges. We are also committed to helping individuals develop healthy coping methods and learn how to best approach their conditions.

You don’t have to fight substance use disorder by yourself; our understanding and compassionate team is here to help you on your journey to recovery. Through a professional detox process, we manage withdrawal symptoms and prepare people for treatment. Also, through our effective and individualized therapy approaches, individuals can gain the skills they need to remain free.

For more information about our dual diagnosis treatment services here at Discovery, please contact us today. Allow us to walk with you as you pursue the addiction-free life you truly deserve!