Dual Diagnosis Treatment

For anyone who has a dual diagnosis of mental illness and substance abuse, getting suitable treatment for both conditions is essential. Dual diagnosis treatment reduces relapse risk by giving sufferers alternative tools for coping with a mental illness. If you or someone you care about needs help with both a mental illness and a substance use disorder, contact Baystate Recovery to find out more about our dual diagnosis treatment programs.

What is a Dual Diagnosis or Co-Occurring Disorder?

Someone who suffers from both a mental health disorder and substance use is said to have dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorders. This is very common among people who abuse drugs or alcohol. In many cases, people with mental illnesses turn to alcohol or drugs in an attempt to relieve the symptoms. Although this approach to self-medication is not successful long term and can lead to addiction.

Substance misuse can also trigger the development of mental illnesses. Drugs and alcohol alter brain chemistry, leading to depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, or another mental health problem. Medication and therapy, administered alongside a program to help the sufferer stop misusing drugs, can help to reverse the damage caused by drugs and alcohol.

Is Dual Diagnosis Common?

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, roughly half of mentally ill people will misuse substances at some time during their life. Baystate Recovery realizes the importance of offering dual diagnosis treatments to address the common problem of co-occurring disorders. In this inpatient residential rehab center, programs are designed to treat both issues at the same time, reducing the risk of future relapse.

How Does Baystate Recovery Treat Dual Diagnosis?

The best treatment for dual diagnosis is a combination of evidence-based behavioral therapy and medication. At Baystate Recovery, all treatment plans are tailored to the individual, taking into account their lifestyle, age, gender, and the types of substances they have been misusing. Here are some strategies used:

 

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, which empowers patients to move away from harmful thought patterns and behaviors.
  • Dialectical behavioral therapy, or DBT, which helps patients to reduce self-harming behaviors.
  • Therapeutic communities, which help patients dependent on drugs or alcohol to begin socializing normally and building supportive relationships.
  • Contingency management, which gives patients rewards such as vouchers in exchange for healthy behaviors.

Intervention Services for Dual Diagnosis

Baystate recovery offers intervention services to stop a developing substance abuse disorder in its tracks. If you or a loved one has started turning to substances to cope anywhere in Massachusetts, Baystate Recovery can intervene to reduce the risk of further harm and start along the road to recovery.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment at
Baystate Recovery

Baystate recovery uses the latest research on dual diagnosis treatment to design a therapy program that has the greatest chance of success. In addition to therapy and medication, we also provide programs focusing on meditation to help recovering substance users rebuild their lives. Our goal is not only to stop people using substances, but to equip them with the skills and support they need to thrive. If you or a loved one need help with dual diagnosis in any area of Massachusetts, including Boston, get in touch today.

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