Dual Diagnosis

If you or your loved one suffer from a mental illness and substance abuse, keep reading to discover how you can find the right dual diagnosis treatment in NY that will help you the road to recovery.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment in New York

Dual diagnosis involves the treatment of substance addiction and a mental disorder at the same time. When these two disorders combine, they are known as co-occurring disorders. One issue in dual diagnosis usually leads to the other. For instance, some individuals can become addicted to drugs or alcohol due to self-medicating their stress or anxiety.

About 8 million people in the U.S. suffered from co-occurring disorders in 2014. Most of the patients that suffer from simultaneous disorders are not diagnosed due to the complexity of each of the cases. Cases like these can lead to unsuccessful recovery and relapse.

Relationship Between Mental Health and Substance Abuse

Addictions to illegal drugs, prescription medications, or alcohol can cause adverse effects on an individual’s mental health. The U.S. National Library of Medicine discovered that some people might start using and abusing drugs or alcohol since the substance helps them cope with their symptoms, while others struggle with mental problems as a result of their substance use.

If someone is treated for one disorder without treating the other, they are at the risk of relapsing. For instance, a patient that is treated for alcoholism without having his or her anxiety disorder treated may start drinking again when the anxiety is being triggered. Dual diagnosis treatment in NY offers an opportunity for men and women to safely recover from co-occurring disorders.

Symptoms of Dual Diagnosis

The symptoms listed below are what you need to look out for if you want to know if you or your loved one has a dual diagnosis:

Substance Abuse

  • Taking risks while on drugs or drinking
  • Isolating from friends and loved ones
  • Unexpected changes in behavior
  • Loss of control over substance use and abuse
  • The occurrence of withdrawal symptoms when putting a stop to drug use
  • Development of tolerance to the drug’s or alcohol’s effects

Mental Health Disorders

  • Mood changes
  • Isolation from friends and social activities
  • Confused thinking
  • Lack of concentration
  • Suicidal thoughts

Effective Dual Diagnosis Treatment in NY

When an individual suffering from dual diagnosis is not treated, the following can occur:

  • Aggression
  • Suicide
  • Physical health problems
  • Increased sexual behaviors
  • Lack of self-care

Effective dual diagnosis treatment in NY can be achieved when mental health specialists access patients and create comprehensive treatment plans that will meet the needs of each of the patients.

The Use of Medication

One of the potential treatments for dual-diagnosis is medication. Some medications can be approved as ongoing treatment for tackling alcohol and opioid addiction. Antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anxiolytics are used for treating mental health issues.

When you enter a dual diagnosis treatment center in NY, the medical professional will make use of medication and other forms of treatment like therapy. It is crucial to find a New York dual diagnosis treatment facility that uses both medication and therapy to tackle dual diagnosis.

Therapy and Behavior Management for Dual Diagnosis

Therapy should be used together with medication when treating someone with a dual diagnosis. Cognitive-behavioral therapy will help you to adjust your thoughts to improve your condition. Group therapy, on the other hand, will help you to interact well with those around you. Group therapy will also give you the room to share your experiences with those that are also suffering from dual diagnosis.

Find a Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center in NY

When looking for dual diagnosis treatment in NY, you need to consider your needs as well as the services offered at the program. Ask yourself these questions while searching for the right dual diagnosis treatment in NY so that you can make an informed decision:

  • Does the program accept your insurance? Can you afford the program?
  • What is the experience of the staff?
  • What are other people’s opinions about the program?
  • Do you need to undergo detox?
  • Do you need to be treated for medical conditions?
  • Does the program cater to your ethnicity/ gender/ sexual orientation?
  • What is the treatment philosophy of the program?

New York Dual Diagnosis Treatment Facilities

If you or someone close to you is suffering from co-occurring disorders, then it is important to find treatment for both issues. To get started in your search for a dual diagnosis treatment center in NY, you can make use of our Mid Hudson Addiction Recovery substance abuse resource directory. We will connect you to the best New York dual diagnosis treatment programs that will allow you to heal from your co-occurring disorders.

Addiction Resources for New York

Residents of New York searching for addiction help now have plenty of resources to fight substance abuse. Our team of professionals is here to guide and support you during this difficult time. We work with a variety of Hudson Valley drug addiction treatment programs personalized to fit your needs:

Find dual diagnosis treatment in New York