Dual Diagnosis Rehab

What Is a Dual Diagnosis Rehab?

For a person with dual diagnosis, day to day life can be a real struggle. Dual diagnosis occurs when a person is suffering from alcohol or drug addiction and a co-existing mental illness such as an eating disorder, depression or anxiety. A dual diagnosis rehab center can treat both the addiction and the mental illness simultaneously for a more complete recovery experience.

Dual diagnosis is actually quite common since many psychiatric disorders actually put people at an increased risk for substance abuse. Often, the person experiences the mental illness first, and then uses drugs or alcohol as a way to “self-medicate,” eventually developing an addiction throughout the process.

How Dual Diagnosis Treatment Programs Can Help

Many treatment centers are equipped to handle either mental illness or addiction. Dual diagnosis treatment programs treat both problems concurrently as addiction can exacerbate mental illness and vice versa. Additionally, a quality dual diagnosis rehab center is staffed with medical, psychiatric and support personnel who are licensed and trained in treating the complexities of dual diagnosis.

What is the Treatment Like in a Dual Diagnosis Rehab?

The first step in dual diagnosis rehab is detoxification, a time where the body is given the opportunity to cleanse itself of the abused substance. Medications can be given to alleviate and/or minimize the sometimes uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Following detox, dual diagnosis treatment programs usually involve:

• Individual and group therapy
• Family counseling
• Medication
• Holistic treatments such as art therapy and yoga
• Recreation
• Nutritional guidance including meal planning assistance
• Relapse prevention
• Aftercare planning

Dual diagnosis rehab can be very successful, giving patients the tools they need to live happier, more fulfilling lives.

Help is Available at Lakeview’s Dual Diagnosis Rehab

RehabProgram.com is associated with Lakeview Health Systems, a nationally recognized dual diagnosis treatment center. If you or your loved one has a substance abuse problem and a co-existing mental illness, call our 24-hour, toll-free helpline today at 1-800-875-0909. Our experienced counselors will confidentially assess your needs and guide you in the right direction. You are not alone and you can recover! Do it today – call now!