Mental Health and Addiction: What is Dual Diagnosis?
Addiction is a very difficult disease to overcome. It can be made that much more difficult when it coincides with a mental health condition. Some patients seeking treatment for their addiction have been diagnosed with other disorders like depression or anxiety beforehand. Other patients are diagnosed once they seek treatment.
There is actually a name for when a patient has both a mental condition and a dependence on drugs and/or alcohol—dual diagnosis. This is actually a very common diagnosis for patients in recovery. Studies show that 17 million U.S. adults experienced both a mental health condition and a substance use disorder in 2020 (as per the National Survey on Drug Use and Health).
Patients that have been diagnosed with a mental health condition often wonder what dual diagnosis treatment is like. Others are concerned that they may have a mental health condition that has not been diagnosed and are wondering what the process of being diagnosed is.
Below is more information about dual diagnosis and what to expect when receiving treatment for co-occurring disorders.
Being Diagnosed
Once a patient decides to seek treatment, they will meet with a board-certified psychiatrist. The psychiatrist speaks with the patient to learn more about their situation and diagnoses any co-occurring disorders. These disorders may include depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar, and other disorders. Once the disorder has been properly diagnosed, a co-occurring disorder treatment plan can be put in place to better help the patient on their journey of recovery.
Front Door Health brings a board-certified psychiatrist to the home of the patient to receive in-home care.
Why Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Some recovery centers only focus on drug and alcohol recovery and ignore other co-occurring issues. By ignoring mental health concerns, they aren’t able to address the entirety of the patient’s needs. This can lead to relapse and continued use.
Patients that require dual diagnosis treatment require a different type of treatment plan that is tailored to meet their specific needs—which includes their mental health needs.
The holistic approach taken by Front Door Health focuses on treating both the physical and mental aspects of a patient’s health. We ensure our patients receive all of the care they need, instead of compartmentalizing their care.
What Does Dual Diagnosis Treatment Look Like?
For patients that require dual diagnosis treatment, the patient receives drug and alcohol addiction treatment in tandem with psychiatric treatment performed by a professional in the field. Combined, the patient will be provided with all of the tools they need to address both their substance addiction and mental health disorders. Psychiatric services typically include psychotropic medication management as well.
Reach Out to Front Door Health Today!
If you are suffering from addiction and need support, reach out to Front Door Health today! We offer in-home treatment provided by top experts in their field. Front Door Health brings a board-certified psychiatrist to your door to diagnose you. If they find you have a mental disorder, a dual diagnosis plan will be put in place to meet your specific needs.
For more information, contact us. We look forward to speaking with you.
info@frontdoorhealthcenter.com
