Mental health issues are one of the main causes of addiction. Similarly, many people who struggle with substance use disorder, addiction to drugs, or alcohol relapse because of mental issues. It’s also quite common for individuals to turn to drugs or alcohol when they suffer from a mental health issue like anxiety or depression to find relief. Unfortunately, this only makes the underlying mental health condition worse while increasing the risk of developing a dependency or addiction. When getting help for addiction, individuals need to find a facility specializing in dual diagnosis therapy, the most effective means to treat both conditions. For example some people may have a substance addiction with underlying depression. That individual would be best seeking out dual diagnosis that encompasses opiate addiction treatment and individual therapy for depression.
Without the proper attention, mental health issues will persist and worsen, making a recovery and sober living much more difficult, if not impossible. At Beaches Recovery, our team of mental health experts and addiction treatment professionals offer a full continuum of care from detox center programs to therapy; our dual diagnosis treatment give individuals the greatest chances of success.
How Mental Illness Leads to Addiction
Most people develop symptoms of mental illness between the ages of about 14 and 24 years old. But mental health issues like mood disorders such as anxiety or depression can strike anyone at any time. One of the issues contributing to negative mental health is that most schools around the country don’t teach children about mental health. Therefore, when poor mental health symptoms arise in a young person, they aren’t equipped to understand what they are going through nor how to find help. The most common forms of mental illness include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- ADD or ADHD
- Bipolar disorder
Rather than seeking professional help for the symptoms the young person is experiencing, they may turn to drugs or alcohol, often called self-medication. For example, anxiety is a disorder that makes a person feel high amounts of stress and fear. Opiates, benzodiazepines, or alcohol may calm him or her down, so he or she begins to self-medicate regularly. Other disorders like PTSD can develop at any time in a person’s life based on a traumatic experience.
Why is Dual Diagnosis Therapy Important?
Drugs and alcohol are only a symptom of a person’s problem, so treatment helps a person get to the causes and conditions. If a person was drinking or using to calm his or her mind, they need to figure out what’s causing the anxiety. Without treating the root of the problem, the problem will inevitably return. Two of the primary reasons for relapse are when a person has an untreated mental illness or an undiagnosed mental illness.
Treating a Dual Diagnosis Properly
Addiction is a mental illness in and of itself, which is separate from psychological dependence and disorder. This means that those who have an addiction must treat mental illness in a specific way. Many medications for mental illness, like Xanax and Adderall, are addictive some people may even need a Xanax rehab in addition to dual diagnosis treatment. With dual diagnosis treatment, a person finds non-addictive ways to treat his or her disorder.
Many holistic methods reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and ADHD. Through mindfulness practices, meditation, yoga, and other therapy forms, a person can live a better life. Part of this type of treatment includes cognitive-behavioral therapy, which retrains the mind. The person will begin to replace his or her old habits of drinking or using new healthy habits.
Discover How Beach Recovery Can Provide the Support Necessary to Heal
Beaches Recovery is here to help you if you’ve been struggling with a mental illness as well as an addiction. Through our dual diagnosis program, you’ll find the source of your addiction and beaches recovery will be there to offer the best care fpr lasting recovery. You’ll learn healthy ways to overcome depression, anxiety, or other symptoms and live a much better life. If you’re ready to begin a new life, we’re ready to help. Reach out to us today at 866.605.0532, or contact us online.