Dual Diagnosis: Definition, Treatment and More

Suffering from addiction usually means you are dealing with more than just drugs and alcohol. Many factors, both external and internal, can impact your life and lead you to alcohol and drug addiction.

If you find yourself struggling with both addiction and mental health issues simultaneously, this typically results in you having a dual diagnosis, also known as a co-occurring disorder.

While this might sound initially intimidating, we at Action Rehab have the experience and expertise to advise you on all things dual diagnosis.

What is Dual Diagnosis?

In a government report published in 2021, “Nearly two-thirds of people starting treatment said they had a mental health treatment need (63%)”. This suggests that the link between addiction and mental health issues is of great likelihood and thus, should be dealt with simultaneously.

While they are technically separate issues, they are combined in this instance due to the fact that they’re often impacting one another. These conditions can develop in tandem or one may be the cause of the other; as they are different issues, they each have their potential causes, symptoms, and treatments.

A dual diagnosis rehab programme is an option when it is clear that you are suffering from more than alcoholism or drug addiction. The goal is to ensure that the treatment of one does not harm the other, by untangling the separate conditions, you can better treat them both and achieve long-term recovery.

Signs of a Dual Diagnosis

Looking out for signs of a dual diagnosis can be important to getting the correct addiction therapies. Symptoms can vary widely depending on what mental health issue you may have and what you are addicted to.

There are some general signs you can look out for though.

For instance, if you have a family history of addiction and mental health conditions, this might mean you are more likely to develop similar problems. Finding yourself experiencing depression, stress and anxiety when you are sober is another sign of a deeper mental health issue that should be addressed sooner rather than later.

When you find that you are using substances to cope with situations and moods that you find unpleasant or as a mechanism to deal with bad memories, see this as a red flat and act accordingly.

Common Dual Diagnosis Disorders 

As mental health issues and co-occurring addictions are common, some pairings crop up more regularly.

Cocaine and Anxiety

Cocaine addiction and anxiety is a common dual diagnosis. Anxious people may take the drug to be more outgoing and compensate for their anxiety. They may also think it alleviates stress from work and home life but eventually makes it worse.

Alcohol and Depression

People suffering from depression can develop an alcohol addiction, initially self-medicating with booze. This creates a cycle leading to a deeper depression.

Cocaine/Alcohol and Bipolar Disorder

People with bipolar disorder may reach for cocaine or alcohol depending on whether they are in a manic or depressive cycle.

Marijuana and OCD

Those with an obsessive-compulsive disorder may smoke marijuana or drink to slow down and mask obsessive thoughts.

Treatment for Dual Diagnosis

With a dual diagnosis, your journey through rehab will be similar to others.

The first stop is detox, where you will go through a programme that is designed to end your physical dependence on substances. 

This is the priority as physical symptoms of addiction can be fatal. Once the physical addiction is removed, we can help you better explore how your mental health issues impacted your drinking and drug-taking.

After detox, you will take part in talking therapies. Sessions such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and group therapy are used to help you learn important coping techniques and build up your self-confidence once more. Therapy is vital to getting to the root cause of your issues and making sure that mental health issues don’t define the rest of your life.

These psychological therapies will be complemented by well-being sessions such as yoga, mindfulness, and meditation. As a holistic approach to addiction treatment, these therapies boost your mental health and provide discipline and structure to your life.

Self-Help for Treating Dual Diagnosis

Alongside getting rehab treatment, there are small changes you can make to your life to help you.

Exercise: regular activity (even walking) is shown to have a positive effect on your body and mental health.

Healthy diet: a balanced diet will help the healing processes in your body. This is needed after abusing drugs and alcohol.

Sleeping well: keeping a regular sleep pattern helps your body recharge and operate efficiently.

Staying Social: isolation and loneliness can lead to worsening mental health conditions. It’s important to reach out to people when you can and see you are not alone in your struggle.

Breathing and relaxation techniques: learning some easy breathing exercises and muscle relaxation techniques can help you de-stress. It may stop you from wanting to reach for a drink or drugs as a coping mechanism.

Is In-Patient Rehab the Best Place for Dual Diagnosis Recovery?

When dealing with dual diagnosis cases, private drug and alcohol rehab is a great place to understand what exactly you’re dealing with and combating it with the right help and treatment. But why?

You’ll Have a Better Chance of Successful Recovery

If you deal with the conditions simultaneously, giving them both the attention they need, you are increasing the chance of achieving long-term recovery for good. 

At private rehab, you will deal with the root causes of your addiction through therapy treatment, as well as the physical effects; this way, you’ll treat both the physical addiction and the physiological circumstances that allowed the addiction to thrive in the first place.

You Can Thrive with Improved Mental Health

Dual diagnosis treatment deals with separate conditions without adversely affecting the other. Without this approach, your mental health could decline and lead you back to square one.

At rehab, you learn coping skills alongside boosting your mental health to decrease the risk of future relapses.

Treat Addiction and Mental Health in Rehab

If you think you have a dual diagnosis and want to go into an alcohol and drug rehab, contact us today. We can offer you much-needed support for addiction and find you a private rehab that offers the dual diagnosis treatment you need.

Call Action Rehab at 0151 268 6992 or email info@action-rehab.com to get started.