Bakersfield Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers
Mental health is a growing problem throughout the United States. While there have been great strides in people being more accepting of this condition, there is still a negative stigma that is often associated with it. This can often lead to people putting off receiving the mental health treatment that they desperately need. Instead, a person may feel as though their best option is to turn to drugs or alcohol to calm the struggle they may be dealing with inside their head. This process can lead to serious psychological and physical consequences if addicts do not seek dual diagnosis treatment in Bakersfield. A program like this was specifically designed for a person who may be struggling with mental health disorders and substance abuse.
What Is a Dual Diagnosis?
A person receives a dual diagnosis when they are suffering from both a mental health issue as well as an addiction to drugs or alcohol. A dual diagnosis can come in many different shapes and forms, all of which can render a person unable to truly function or live a healthy life unless they get the proper type of care and help that they need.
What Is a Co-Occurring Disorder?
In many ways, the terms “co-occurring disorder” and “dual diagnosis” are interchangeable. Both forms of terminology refer to a person trying to deal with both a mental health condition as well as a substance abuse problem. While it may feel as though there is no way to recover from this type of condition truly, it is always possible to heal and begin to get your life back once you reach out for help.
Common Co-Occurring Disorders
It’s important to remember that nearly any addictive substance could go hand-in-hand with a mental health condition. However, certain ones seem to go together more often. Leading examples of common co-occurring disorders include:
Cocaine addiction and anxiety disorder
This substance and condition tend to go together because cocaine can make a person feel as though they are invisible. Once the high of cocaine sets in, a person may feel as though they can accomplish any task laid before them. However, this sudden burst of energy comes at a severe cost because when the high begins to wear off, a person may feel more anxious than before the drug was consumed. This is something that a person with an anxiety disorder does not often feel.
Marijuana and schizophrenia
Marijuana abuse and schizophrenia are other examples of a co-occurring disorder because marijuana can temporarily release a person from feeling the pressure or chaos that often comes with schizophrenia. While marijuana has been shown not to cause schizophrenia, it can certainly exacerbate the condition.
Warning Signs of Someone Struggling With Dual Diagnosis
It can be reasonably easy for friends and loved ones to identify when a person may be suffering from a condition that would trigger a dual diagnosis.
Common indicators are:
An increase in substance abuse
Although many people try to hide their substance abuse, close friends and family members may suspect that something more is going on on the backend. Regardless of the drug or drink of choice, the use of this substance will only continue to grow as the need to drink or use the drug for a higher amount of this substance rises. If you notice that your loved one seems to be drinking or using drugs more in larger quantities when they feel sad, this could indicate a co-occurring disorder.
Reckless behavior
If a person goes from being a very responsible person to suddenly taking part in activities that could cause them harm when under the influence of a specific substance, this should be a red flag that there could be other issues at play.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment Options
Dual diagnosis treatment can come in many different forms and can incorporate many different types of therapies. While you will have the option to decide whether you want to work through an inpatient or an outpatient program, the types of counseling that you will experience during dual diagnosis treatment for Bakersfield residents will be the same for the most part.
Some examples of therapy include:
Behavioral therapy
Harmful behavior can be a growing problem among a person suffering from a co-occurring disorder. During your treatment, you will learn how to identify that behavior and modify it to have healthier reactions to certain situations.
Trauma-based therapy
Did you know that it is relatively common for a person that experienced some form of trauma to also have mental health issues or problems with addiction if their traumatic event is not addressed? For instance, if you developed anxiety or PTSD after a traumatic event and never reached out for help, then there is a high likelihood that you may turn to substance abuse mistakenly to help yourself feel better.
Individual therapy
Individual therapy, also known as one-on-one therapy, takes place in a more personalized setting. This type of counseling gives you the perfect opportunity to review your treatment plan with your team and begin to explore events in your life that you may not feel comfortable talking about in a group setting.
Inpatient Dual Diagnosis Treatment Bakersfield
An inpatient program will provide a person with the safe and controlled environment that they may need during this transitional time in their life. Inpatient programs can run anywhere between 30 and 90 days, and it’s something that is encouraged, especially if a person needs to go through a detox program. Remember that you can always continue your recovery journey in an outpatient program, so the shift from inpatient to “normal” life is not as much of a shock for you.
Outpatient Dual Diagnosis Treatment Bakersfield
Do you work or go to school? If the answer is yes, then you would likely benefit more from an outpatient treatment program. An outpatient treatment program is specifically designed to cater to the responsibilities that you may have outside of treatment. It’s recommended that you share if you have a job or go to school with the intake team so they can begin developing a plan that will not put either of these responsibilities in jeopardy but still give you the flexibility to receive the addiction care you need.
What You Need to Know About Dual Diagnosis Treatment
It’s important to remember that while your treatment team will do everything they can to make you feel as comfortable as possible, it’s always probable that you may experience some struggle during your time in dual diagnosis treatment. The majority of your time in treatment will be spent taking part in therapy and learning more about yourself and the root causes of your addiction. When you come to Muse Treatment Center, we always encourage our clients to remain focused on their ultimate goal of establishing and maintaining their sobriety.
The First Steps in Recovery for a Dual Diagnosis
When you’re in the grips of an addiction, it’s easy and relatively common for a person to feel overwhelmed or stressed out by the situation. Taking the first step toward addressing co-occurring disorders in Bakersfield is critical but is often the most challenging part of the process.
Here are some ways that you can ensure you find the most out of your time in dual diagnosis treatment:
Be open and honest about how you’re feeling
Part of the consequences of addiction is that it can cloud or confuse your judgment which may make you think and feel certain things that are not entirely true. Once you have gone through a detox process, you will begin to learn more about being in touch with your emotions as they come up. You must be completely honest with your treatment team regarding the severity of your addiction to help you develop a comprehensive plan that will work for you. Also, expressing how you feel as your treatment plan progresses is key to ensuring you learn the right tools to maintain your sobriety after treatment.
Share
Talking at all during your time in treatment may feel uncomfortable. After all, isn’t treatment only for you to physically recover to get back to life? The answer is no. During your time in treatment, you will be encouraged to talk with your recovery team and with others about your experiences when it comes to life in general.
Are you ready to take your first steps toward living a new and healthy life? Then reach out to the treatment team at Muse Treatment Center at (800) 426-1818.
As mental health continues to be a growing concern in the US, it is important to address how addiction and mental illness can often go hand in hand. Reach out to Muse today for dual diagnosis treatment! #dualdiagnosis #musetreatmenthttps://t.co/n7kTVH9hpw
— Muse Treatment (@MuseTreatmentLA) October 19, 2021
