Did you know, over 55 million individuals in the United States suffer from mental and substance use disorders at the same time. This combination of disorders is known as dual diagnosis, and it requires specialized, integrated treatment to address both conditions.
While navigating dual diagnosis treatment in Burlington, MA, can feel overwhelming, we have many excellent programs offering integrated treatment. In today’s article, we will tell you about these programs and what you can typically expect when seeking help.
Let’s get started:
What is Dual Diagnosis?
In layman’s terms, dual diagnosis means an individual is dealing with substance use disorder and a mental health disorder at the same time. Meaning, they are struggling with a drug addiction and mental health challenge simultaneously. Although both conditions can occur independently, more often than not, they occur because of each other, and can therefore, affect each other in ways that make recovery more complex.
When an individual is living with dual diagnosis, treating just one of the conditions is not effective. In fact, ignoring one while focusing on the other can lead to relapse or stalled progress, which does more harm than good. The problem with traditional treatment models is that they separate mental health care from addiction recovery – not realizing how deeply intertwined these issues are.
Challenges Faced by Individuals with Dual Diagnosis
Individuals struggling with dual disorders can find many complicated challenges coming their way, especially because both disorders often overlap and affect each other. Some of the major challenges faced in dual diagnosis treatment include:
Accurate Diagnosis:
Since the symptoms of a mental health disorder often look similar to those of substance use disorder, identifying and diagnosing them accurately can be highly challenging.
Integrated Treatment:
The problem with dual diagnosis is that you cannot treat one without addressing the other, since it leads to poor recovery outcomes, or relapse. If an individual with PTSD is suffering from alcohol addiction, for instance, treating them alone for drug addiction – or the PTSD – may not be as effective. In fact, it can worsen their mental health.
Stigma and Misunderstanding:
Much like all mental healthcare branches, there is a lot of stigma and misunderstanding associated with dual diagnosis. Since the awareness is limited at the moment, people may not fully understand the complexities of dual diagnosis, which can lead to judgment and hesitation in seeking help.
Why Integrated Dual Diagnosis Treatment Matters
When it comes to dual diagnosis treatment, the approach to handling it matters a lot. Up until recently, traditional mental healthcare methodologies were implemented, which typically meant that ‘sequentially’ one condition was treated first, followed by the other. The problem was that this method left gaps with a high risk of relapse.
Nowadays, mental healthcare providers, like Forrest Behavioral Health, offer an integrated treatment approach that addresses substance use disorder and mental health disorder simultaneously. This includes evidence-based therapies, such as:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Group and family therapy
The Role of Medical Management
Medical management also plays a crucial role in dual diagnosis treatment since certain medications are designed to reduce cravings, and address symptoms of mental health disorders. When medicine and therapy are balanced to offer a well-rounded treatment, it massively increases the chances of stabilizing patients and improve their chances of lasting recovery.
Holistic Approach to Healthcare
As per NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse)’s latest findings, individuals treated with a combination of behavioral therapies and holistic support are more likely to remain in recovery longer and experience fewer relapses.
Keeping this research in view, most healthcare providers offering dual diagnosis treatment in Burlington, MA, base it on a holistic approach, which simply means that treatment plans now incorporate holistic elements that help support long-term wellness. Some of these elements include:
- Life skills training
- Relapse prevention strategies
- Stress management techniques
- Physical wellness support
Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Burlington, MA: What to Expect
If you, or a loved one, is going through dual diagnosis treatment in Burlington, MA, understanding the proper process can help you set a realistic set of expectations of what is to come. At Forrest Behavioral Health, our program is designed to address both mental health and substance use disorders through a coordinated and personalized approach. Here’s what you can expect:
Program Structure for Dual Diagnosis Treatment
- Initial Assessment: Your journey with Forrest Behavioral Health starts with a comprehensive assessment, which aims to identify your specific substance use issues and mental health conditions. We use the data from this evaluation to design an in-depth, customized treatment plan for you.
- Individualized Treatment Plan: At Forrest Behavioral Health, we understand that while the disorder may come with the same label, its impact on every individual varies depending on their lifestyle, environment, and childhood, etc. Therefore, we create personalized plans for each individual when taking into account their medical history.
- Therapeutic Interventions: We take pride in building treatment plans on evidence-based therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing, and group therapy. With our dual diagnosis treatment, the aim is to help you develop the coping skills to manage the dual disorders.
- Support Group: We believe that peer support plays a crucial role in one’s recovery. Therefore, our treatment plans also include group sessions, which focus on fostering a sense of community
Multidisciplinary Team Approach:
At Forrest Behavioral Health, our healthcare team consists of highly experienced medical practitioners including psychiatrists, addiction specialists, licensed therapists, counselors, case managers, and wellness coordinators, who collaborate to create treatment plans for dual diagnosis treatment that benefit our patients through a well-rounded, clinically informed support system.
Support for Families and Caregivers:
We recognize that recovery impacts the whole family. Therefore, Forrest Behavioral Health offers education and counseling resources to support loved ones.
Wrapping it Up
Mental healthcare, alone, comes with a plethora of challenges but especially when we talk about dual diagnosis, there is a set of unique challenges in your way. This condition requires a thoughtful, integrated approach that addresses both mental health and substance use disorders together to ensure a lasting recovery.
At Forrest Behavioral Health, we believe that the right support, with a combination of evidence-based treatment, can offer you a quick, lasting recovery. So, if you or a loved one is struggling with dual disorder, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at info@forrestbh.com. You can also call us at (781) 570 – 5781, and take the first step towards a healthier, balanced life.
