What Medical Detox Services works best for Dual Diagnosis patients?
Navigating treatment for a substance use disorder can be daunting. It is especially challenging when you have a dual diagnosis. According to a 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an estimated 21.2 million adults were diagnosed with a co-occurring mental health illness and substance use disorder. Having a drug addiction alongside a mental health condition is what is known as having a dual diagnosis.
When finding safe and effective professional help, the most commonly asked question is: What medical detox program works best for dual diagnosis patients? Medically supervised detox is the first critical step in addiction recovery. For individuals in need of a dual diagnosis treatment, it is important to find addiction recovery centers equipped with the support, resources and tools to treat those with co-occurring mental health disorders.
It is important to research a program that provides integrated care for both diagnoses. Each condition should be considered a primary focus and receive ongoing interventions at the same time. There is no official standard of care when it comes to a dual diagnosis. Mental health professionals, clinical physicians and addiction specialists work together to use best practices to create a customized treatment plan.
The intersection between Addiction and Mental Health
Substance addiction and mental health are deeply intertwined. On one hand, many individuals turn to drugs or alcohol to self-medicate stressful emotions and underlying psychological pain. On the other hand, prolonged substance abuse can physically alter a person’s brain chemistry and trigger the development of new mental health conditions. Studies suggest that about 50% of people who experience substance use disorder during their lives will also have a mental health disorder.
When a person stops using a substance, it can make the brain’s neurochemistry go into shock as it tries to rebalance itself. This is known as withdrawal. In some cases, substance withdrawal can be extremely painful both physically and psychologically. Professional medical detox services provide patients with the safety and care they need to get through this crucial stage of treatment.
Without proper medical interventions, severe anxiety, deep depression, psychosis, fever and seizures can easily lead to rapid relapse or a severe medical emergency. With professional clinical monitoring services through an addiction recovery center, clients are provided with a comprehensive assessment for co-occurring mental health disorders.
What is a Dual Diagnosis?
Having a dual diagnosis is when a patient has a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder. It is when they have two disorders occurring at the same time alongside one another. But which came first? In the case of dual diagnosis, the condition that came first is dependent on each person. It is possible for a substance addiction to have caused the development of a mental illness and for a mental illness to lead to the development of a substance addiction.
Some of the most commonly misused substances include alcohol, opioids, stimulants, marijuana, hallucinogens, prescription drugs and tobacco. Some of the most common mental health disorders in a dual diagnosis include anxiety, mood disorders, bipolar disorders, major depression, PTSD, ADHD and schizophrenia.
Understanding the effects of each of these conditions can help provide the appropriate treatment for the patient. Conditions can have overlapping symptoms and consequences, so it is unrealistic for them to be treated independently of one another. These include difficulty focusing, sudden behavior changes, engaging in risky behaviors, developing a high tolerance for substances and experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Dual diagnosis conditions are actually more common than people realize.
Some of the most commonly seen co-occurring mental health disorders include PTSD and opioid use disorder and bipolar disorder alongside a stimulant addiction.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment Programs
The best dual diagnosis detox programs are built on the foundation of dual-focused care. These dual diagnosis treatment facilities treat the patient as a whole person, taking into consideration both conditions without separating them.
Historically, mental health and drug addiction were treated separately as different medical conditions. Today, leading experts recognize the importance of integrated treatments for both substance abuse and mental illness. This joint approach ensures that the clinical team is able to assess both conditions simultaneously. And it also allows patients to receive consistent and non-contradictory care that can address the root cause of their condition.
Managing substance withdrawal requires highly trained and capable professionals. Alcohol withdrawal management can be especially challenging due to the nature of the condition. Clinical monitoring services offered by detox programs that focus on dual diagnosis treatments provide nurses, doctors, and psychiatric specialists available around the clock. This helps to ensure that if patients experience sudden severe panic, suicidal ideation, or hallucinations, immediate medical interventions are implemented.
Check Your Insurance Coverage for FREE
Find out if your insurance covers addiction treatment in minutes. We accept most insurance!
Signs you may have a Mental Health Disorder
- Extreme changes in appetite and weight
- Confusion
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
- Unable to function at work or school due to a lack of interest in daily things
- Feelings of hopelessness and suicidal thoughts and ideations
- Lack of energy
- Racing thoughts
- Engaging in risky behavior
Signs you have a Substance Use Disorder
- Cravings for drug and alcohol use
- Developing a tolerance for a substance
- Inability to control substance use
- Spending more time using and recovering from drug use
- Failing to meet daily responsibilities due to drug use
How to find the best Medical Detox services for dual-diagnosis patients
There is no specific explanation for why drug and alcohol addiction often occur alongside psychiatric disorders. But people who suffer from both need specialized treatment that provides dual diagnosis interventions. There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a treatment program for dual diagnosis.
- Dual accreditation. Find a program that is accredited by reputable organizations like the Joint Commission and is specifically licensed to treat both mental health and substance use disorders.
- Multidisciplinary teams. A professional medical detox center will have well-trained and experienced staff that includes addiction medicine physicians, psychiatrists, nurses and licensed mental health care counselors.
- Individualized care plans. Avoid a treatment center that uses a one-size-fits-all approach. There is no such thing as one-size-fits-all when it comes a dual diagnosis.
- Seamless transition to continuing care. Find a detox program that offers a seamless transition to residential and outpatient programming based on your mental health and substance history needs.
Reach out to Hotel California by the Sea
We specialize in treating addiction and other co-occurring disorders, such as PTSD. Our Admissions specialists are available to walk you through the best options for treating your addiction.
Treatment for Substance Use Disorder
The most effective drug addiction treatment programs offer dual diagnosis interventions, 24-hour psychiatric monitoring in detox, as well as various treatment methods, including medication management and cognitive therapies. Choosing a facility dual diagnosis treatment program is critical for patients experiencing co-occurring illnesses.
Hotel California by the Sea is a premier behavioral health treatment program that provides support for substance addiction as well as mental health disorders. We offer treatment at all levels of care including detox, residential, PHP and IOP. We utilize evidence-based methods such as CBT, DBT and EMDR therapy. Hotel California by the Sea is dedicated to helping clients reach their goals in sobriety and overcome their addiction.
References:
https://medlineplus.gov/dualdiagnosis.html
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24426-dual-diagnosis
https://www.samhsa.gov/substance-use/treatment/co-occurring-disorders
https://rehabs.com/rehab-options/dual-diagnosis-rehabs
https://www.nami.org/blog/understanding-dual-diagnosis/
