How Having A Dual Diagnosis Affects Recovery

Dealing with addiction is one of the hardest things for addicts and their families to go through. It can feel like a vicious cycle that has no expiration date. If you are ready to get clean or you want to help your loved one find their path to recovery, there can be challenges ahead. It's important to understand that everyone's journey towards recovery is different. Some may find it easier than others, and others may find it more of a challenge in an uphill battle than they had bargained for. Though, even if it is a challenge, getting clean is well worth the effort. To no longer be bound by the chains of drugs and alcohol means a whole new world will start to open up.

For those that are dealing with complex issues, including having a dual diagnosis, getting away from addiction presents many other challenges. Sometimes individuals with mental health problems like depression, anxiety, or PTSD will self-medicate with certain types of drugs or alcohol. For this reason, seeking dual diagnosis treatment may offer better benefits and results than a traditional program would.

One Is Not Caused By The Other

It can be easier to say that addiction can lead to mental health problems or that mental health issues have contributed to drug use. But, the fact of the matter is that they do occur separately and, in many cases, don't cause one another. What is true about having both is that the process of recovery becomes dual-focused. Not only do you have to treat the addiction, but you must also face the underlying mental health problems. While it can be said that one does not cause the other, both should be treated to gain optimal health and a better outlook on recovery.

Medication Interactions

A huge problem that addicts will face with dual diagnosis is medication. Some medication can interfere with recovery. Some medications can lead to old feelings that treatment is trying to suppress. When entering a dual treatment facility, the mental health aspect can be taken into consideration alongside the addiction. Your doctor or healthcare professional may want to try alternate prescriptions that aren't considered addictive.

For example, if you had an opioid addiction, he or she may want to avoid giving you medications that are similar. There are ways to avoid the pitfalls of taking medication for mental health while still living a sober life. This is part of the reason that going to a treatment facility that recognizes there is a struggle between the two is so important.