Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Perth Amboy, NJ

Dual diagnosis treatment in Perth Amboy attempts to identify and treat comorbid addiction and mental health disorders together. Treating just one or the other is generally not effective, but treating both at the same time offers the best opportunity for leading a happy, healthy, productive life.

Skilled professionals in dual diagnosis treatment in Perth Amboy understand that treating both addiction and a mental health condition at the same time is the most effective way to achieve long-term positive results.

Addicts commonly suffer from a mental health disorder in addition to their chemical dependency. In fact, mental health conditions are the number one cause of addiction. Substance abuse can also worsen existing mental health conditions or even uncover dormant mental health disorders.

Estimates are that 14 million Americans suffer from addiction and a mental health condition at any given point in time. Approximately 37% of alcohol abusers and half of drug abusers have at least one serious mental illness. About two-thirds of individuals with mental illness abuse one or more substances during their lifetime.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment Programs and Addiction

There is a very strong connection between substance abuse and mental health disorders. Research indicates that people with drug abuse disorders suffer from a mental health disorder at double the rate of the rest of the population. Sometimes people use alcohol and drugs to get relief from the symptoms of a mental health condition, but sometimes it is the case that alcohol and drugs worsen a pre-existing mental health condition or uncover a mental health disorder that was festering just below the surface. The attention required to such individuals necessitates a stay in our inpatient rehab in Perth Amboy.

Marijuana has been linked to schizophrenia. It isn't clear if the drug increases the risk of schizophrenia or simply acts to uncover schizophrenia that has not been diagnosed. The relationship between drugs and mental health is complex. For instance, smoking is far more popular among people suffering from a mental health disorders. For those with bipolar disorder, for instance, smoking is almost four times more common than among those without a mental health condition.

It is also true that many illegal drugs are effective in reducing the symptoms of mental health conditions and thus provide relief from serious symptoms like anxiety, compulsions, and more. Alcohol, for instance, can reduce the symptoms of anxiety in the same way that prescription benzodiazepines can. Stimulants like methamphetamine and cocaine can reduce pain and the symptoms of depression.

Using illicit drugs to treat a mental health condition is a double-edged sword because these drugs have negative effects that eventually overwhelm their desired effects. In addition, research shows that most mental health conditions cannot be effectively treated with drugs (illegal or prescription) alone. Psychological approaches used at dual diagnosis treatment centers are used in combination with medications to achieve the best outcomes.

Dual diagnosis treatment in Perth Amboy focuses on treating both addiction and mental health conditions related to it. Trained, highly experienced professionals for relapse prevention in Perth Amboy can help individuals achieve long-term remission while balancing the risks of using certain prescription medications to achieve optimal results. Simultaneously treating both conditions at the same time has been shown to be the most effective way to overcome the complexities of a dual diagnosis situation.

Types of Mental Health Disorders

Dual diagnosis treatment in Perth Amboy starts with the identification of the comorbid conditions. Studies suggest that less than 10% of individual suffering from substance abuse and mental health disorders at the same time receive adequate diagnosis. Once a diagnosis is made, it is possible to treat both conditions and achieve optimal results. Anxiety, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are the conditions most often associated with substance abuse.

Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Addiction

Roughly 20% of individuals with anxiety also have a substance abuse disorder and fully 25% of individual who seek treatment for OCD abuse one or more substances. Substance use not only provides relief from anxiety and the relentless obsessions of OCD, but can also become a compulsion in people prone compulsive behavior. These individuals benefit greatly from dual diagnosis treatment programs in Perth Amboy.

Eating Disorders and Addiction

Eating disorders are often associated with anxiety, including intense anxiety related to body image. Intense anxiety is part of the reason that substance abuse is common in those with eating disorders. Drugs and alcohol can also facilitate an eating disorder by making it easier to lose weight or keep it off. Dual diagnosis rehab is critical for those with an eating disorder and addiction as eating disorders are exceptionally complex to treat.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is characterized by scattered thoughts, delusions, and frightening hallucinations. It is also an exceptionally difficult condition to treat. Anyone suffering from schizophrenia and a substance abuse will require care in a specialized dual diagnosis treatment program.

PTSD and Addiction

PTSD is characterized by anxiety, depression, emotional duress, and physical pain. These symptoms occur because of the body ceasing to produce endorphins (natural pain killers and mood elevators) after a traumatic event. Drugs and alcohol can help to counteract endorphin withdrawal in the short term, but worsen it over the long term. People with PTSD often fall into a vicious cycle whereby they seek relief from endorphin withdrawal from drugs and alcohol only to have the treatment worsen their condition and thus necessitate more intensive drug and alcohol use.

Call us today at (877) 804-1531 to learn more about our addiction treatment programs in Perth Amboy.