For some people, addiction is a symptom of a co-occurring mental health disorder; for others, drug or alcohol abuse seems to trigger symptoms of mental illness.
If a person has a problem with mental health that goes unnoticed or isn’t addressed during substance abuse treatment, that individual is at a significantly greater risk of relapse. Anxiety, depression, mood disorders, stress and psychosis are some of the most commonly occurring mental health complaints we see alongside addiction.
At Recovery at the Crossroads, highly qualified counselors guide you through our dual diagnosis therapy program, with personalized treatment options curated by a psychiatrist who is our medical director. Read on to find out more.
Unmasking the Complex World of Dual Diagnosis
What Is Comorbidity?
Comorbidity, or a co-occurring disorder, is the term given when someone is struggling with a substance use disorder while simultaneously experiencing symptoms of mental illness. Causation is so complex that it’s practically impossible to determine whether mental health conditions cause addiction or the other way around, but luckily, both are treatable.
Substance abuse leads to certain areas of the brain becoming disordered, and these areas happen to be located in the same or nearby regions of the brain that are responsible for mental health disorders. As such, some mental health issues increase the risk of a person turning to substances — and all psychoactive substances increase the risk of triggering an underlying propensity towards mental illness.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment
At Recovery at the Crossroads in New Jersey, every counselor who works with individuals who have a dual diagnosis has a master’s degree. This is because co-occurring substance use disorders and mental illness can be highly complex and require intricately designed therapy and prescriptive support.
Comorbidity is usually determined during a psychiatric assessment at the beginning of treatment. After the initial evaluation, we’ll follow up with case management, medication management and one-on-one counseling sessions that are provided additionally alongside the SUD treatment continuum.
Dual diagnosis therapy takes place for several hours each week, and the treatment plans are reviewed every 12 to 16 weeks to ensure they meet the individual’s unique needs.
The Journey of Behavioral Therapy and Addiction Treatment Revision
Our approach to treatment isn’t set in stone—it’s fluid, evolving as you do. Regularly, every 12 to 16 weeks, we review your co-occurring disorder treatment plans, tweaking and modifying them to ensure they meet your changing needs and support your progress toward recovery.
Benefits of Co-Occurring Therapy
Provided you’re open, honest and willing, getting mental health treatment can be a life-changing experience. Exploring your history, thoughts and emotions with a friendly, qualified therapist helps you establish boundaries, learn about your triggers and develop healthy coping strategies for challenging emotions.
Some of the main benefits of getting therapy for co-occurring disorders and addiction include:
- Enhanced Quality of Life: Co-occurring therapy addresses both mental health disorders and addiction in tandem, leading to a more holistic healing process. This approach can result in a profound improvement in overall quality of life, as it tackles the root causes of both issues, rather than treating them in isolation.
- Strengthened Interpersonal Relationships: This therapy often involves developing communication skills and emotional intelligence, which can vastly improve interactions with family, friends, and colleagues. By learning how to effectively express emotions and understand others, individuals often see a significant improvement in their personal and professional relationships.
- Reduced Relapse Rates: One of the key goals of co-occurring therapy is to equip individuals with the tools and strategies needed to handle triggers and stressors, thereby reducing the likelihood of relapse. This is particularly important as dealing with both addiction and mental health concerns can create complex challenges that require specialized coping mechanisms.
- Boosted Performance in Educational and Professional Settings: By addressing underlying mental health disorders and addiction, individuals often find they have increased focus, motivation, and cognitive clarity. This can translate into improved performance at school or work, enabling them to achieve their academic and professional goals more effectively.
- Lowered Risk of Medical Complications: Co-occurring disorders can lead to a range of physical health issues. Through comprehensive treatment, the risk of these complications is significantly reduced, as the therapy aims to promote healthier lifestyle choices and manage the symptoms of both mental illness and substance abuse.
- Deeper Self-Understanding and Symptom Management: A dual diagnosis treatment program often involves a deep exploration of one’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. This introspection can lead to a heightened understanding of oneself, including the identification of specific symptoms and effective strategies to manage them. This self-awareness is crucial in creating a sustainable path to recovery.
Effective co-occurring treatment programs are not just about treating symptoms; they are about empowering individuals to understand and manage their conditions, leading to a more fulfilling and balanced life.
Education, Love and Support Are Powerful Tools for Healing
There are millions of people who are struggling with co-occurring mental health conditions and substance abuse disorders but not getting the care and attention necessary to heal. If you’re concerned that you or a loved one might be facing addiction alongside a mental health condition, get in touch with Recovery at the Crossroads, a leading dual diagnosis treatment center in New Jersey, today at 888-342-3881.
Why Choose RACNJ as Your NJ Dual Diagnosis Center?
If you’re searching for dual-diagnosis treatment centers in New Jersey, you must select a facility that offers comprehensive, tailored care that includes long-term residential treatment, MAT rehab, and outpatient addiction treatment. But with so many options available, what makes Recovery at the Crossroads stand out as New Jersey’s best dual diagnosis treatment center?
Well, it’s our holistic approach to dual diagnosis rehab. We understand the unique challenges and recognize that it demands specialized, integrated treatment strategies. Our team of highly qualified professionals is trained to provide such care, helping you manage and overcome both your addiction and mental health issues concurrently.