Baystate Partial Hospitalization

A dual diagnosis or a co-occurring disorder happens when you simultaneously have substance use and mental health disorders. Approximately 50 percent of people with an alcohol or drug addiction also have a mental health illness. Since one disorder can worsen or mask the symptoms of the other, it’s usually challenging to identify which came first. At Baystate Recovery Center, we offer comprehensive dual diagnosis treatment.

We’ve found that using an integrated treatment approach in our Baystate partial hospitalization program to address your addiction and mental health disorder is more effective. That way, you can have the best chance of attaining a successful and lasting recovery.

Causes Of Dual Diagnosis

Substance abuse can affect your mental health. In some cases, it might cause a mental health disorder. But other times, you might self-medicate your mental illness with alcohol or drugs. In the process, you could end up addicted to your substance of use.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there are three possible causes for your dual diagnosis:

• Substance abuse can lead to a mental health disorder. That’s because alcohol and drugs alter the way your brain functions.
• You may have shared risk factors for substance use and mental health disorders. For instance, genetics, family history, and trauma can be associated with both.
• Mental illness can exacerbate your substance use disorder.

Signs Of Co-Occurring Disorders

The signs and symptoms will vary depending on the co-occurring disorders you have. Symptoms present will be based on a particular mental health disorder and alcohol or the specific drug you’re using.

Examples of signs of a mental health illness include:

• Poor concentration
• Confusion
• Eating problems
• Inability to function in everyday life
• Sleep problems
• Social isolation
• Fluctuating mood between high and low
• Exaggerated expressions of anger, sadness, worry, or fear

Signs of substance use disorder can include:

• Intense craving for your substance of use
• Dangerous behavior like unsafe sex and driving while high
• Sudden, unexplained changes in behavior
• Increased tolerance
• Inability to control alcohol or drug use
• Legal and financial problems
• Socially isolating yourself from friends and family
• Experiencing unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when the substance isn’t used

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Dual diagnosis treatment involves treating both disorders at the same time. This is critical because it’s impossible to recover from one disorder if you ignore or delay treatment for the other. Because of this, many rehabs offer dual diagnosis treatment.

Treatment usually starts with a thorough assessment to determine the appropriate care for you. Typically, the treatment entails:

• Eliminating your substance of use from your body through detoxification.
• Uncovering the root cause of your disorders and learning healthy ways to cope with your mental illness.
• Medication for your mental health disorder
• Learning skills essential in maintaining long-term sobriety and preventing a relapse.

The dual diagnosis treatment facility might use various therapies like trauma therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy to help you change your lifestyle. These may be in the form of group meetings and one-on-one sessions.

Top-Rated Dual Diagnosis Treatment

At Baystate Recovery Center, we can help you overcome your addiction and mental health disorder. Our Baystate partial hospitalization program offers a therapeutic, structured, and safe environment where you’ll benefit from a higher level of care. Contact us to begin your sobriety journey: https://baystaterecoverycenter.com/contact/.