Understanding Dual Diagnosis and its Role in Drug Treatment

Co-occurring mental and emotional disorders can often be a big barrier in preventing an addict from finding sobriety. Finding a drug rehab facility that specializes in dual diagnosis can be a major factor in achieving a fulfilling life in recovery.

Drug addiction is very tough to overcome—the idea of trying to stay away from a drink or a drug is a daunting thought for any addict. When other issues come into play, it can seem to be an almost impossible task altogether. However, there are now many substance abuse rehabilitation centers who specialize in dual diagnosis, and for addicts who suffer from co-occurring mental or emotional disorders, Dual Diagnosis treatment can be a key component that leads to a fulfilling life in recovery.

Addiction treatment has seen a number of newer treatment modalities introduced in recent years, and many of them are treatment methods dealing with dual diagnosis. For a drug rehab facility to truly be effective, it’s important that they are updated with the latest methods in treatment so that they can be effective in the ongoing battle against addiction.

Depression, anxiety, bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia and other mental disorders can often be the triggers that lead to addiction, and in some cases help exacerbate the addiction itself. A substance abuse rehabilitation center that specializes in dual diagnosis will conduct a full assessment for each client to determine the exact nature of the mental disorder, and will formulate a specific addiction treatment plan that deals with both the addiction and the underlying emotional or mental condition.

Dual diagnosis treatment involves several forms of therapy, including providing medication if required to treat the mental condition. Once the specific condition has been diagnosed, a tailored plan can be implemented that targets the condition itself. Group and individual therapy can be used to help clients learn to cope with the effects of their mental disorder as well as ongoing treatment for their addiction.

For many years, addicts who also suffered from Dual Diagnosis were never properly treated and were treated like outcasts in society, sometimes just dumped in sanitariums to live out their lives away from the general public. Now, a drug rehab facility can not only provide an addiction treatment plan that leads to a solid foundation in recovery, but also a dual diagnosis plan that deals with the conditions that may have led to the addiction itself. Dual diagnosis addicts no longer have to feel like outcasts—substance abuse rehabilitation centers can and will make addicts feel whole once again.

For many years, addicts who suffered from dual diagnosis were often left untreated and left to fend for themselves. At 12 Palms Recovery Center, counselors and therapists specialize in dual diagnosis treatment for its clients. For more information on their drug treatment plan, please call 1(866) 331-6779, or visit us at www.12PalmsRecoveryCenter.com.