Many people start using drugs or alcohol as a way to alleviate their mental and emotional angst. Some even attest to feeling better or “normal” when intoxicated, and absolutely lost when they’re sober. Co-occurring disorders are incredibly common. These are mental health issues that simultaneously exist along with drug and alcohol addition. Moreover, most co-occurring disorders have never been diagnosed and never been treated.
There are countless people throughout the nation who live with issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), general anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia, and have no healthy, viable means for relief. In rehab, treating co-occurring disorders is recognized as essential. Rehab professionals understand that unless co-occurring disorders treated, they’ll remain as a major risk factor for relapse. The stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness that untreated mental health issues cause are primary drivers for substance. If you have or believe that you may have a co-occurring disorder, it’s important to look for a treatment facility that offers dual diagnosis treatment.
Mental Heath Is Always a Top Priority in Addiction Treatment
It’s also important to note that co-occurring disorders are not the only mental health challenges that people can experience in rehab. Some patients use drugs or alcohol because they’re having a hard time dealing with the pain or stress that’s caused by:
- Low self-esteem
- Unprocessed emotions like guilt or grief
- Recent or past traumas
- Negative, early-life behavioral conditioning
Going to rehab is largely about learning to understand and prioritize your mental health. Even addiction itself can take a major toll on a person’s psychological well-being. When you attend rehab, you’ll examine these and countless other causes of addiction, and you’ll work towards learning more about how your mental health has been affecting your decision-making, your relationships, and your life. For each patient, mental health services start from the moment they arrive. When you enter your chosen rehab facility, you’ll immediately undergo a comprehensive psychological evaluation and general health assessment.
You’ll be asked about your current comfort levels, and you’ll be offered various forms of support. Whether by medication or by counseling, mental health support will be provided throughout the entirety of your detox. This is because while detoxing, people are more likely to exhibit signs of mental and emotional distress. When you’re ready, you’ll start taking part in different on-campus mental health activities. All patients are encouraged to participate in both group and individual counseling. As your needs become increasingly known, your private counseling sessions will take a more streamlined approach. You may be offered options in:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Rational emotive behavior therapy
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy
- Motivational interviewing
These services are designed to help people achieve mood balance and learn how to maintain it. They are also structured to identify negative thought patterns and foster the development of positive, proactive mindsets. Through therapy, it’s possible for patients to:
- Improve their self-esteem and develop a strong sense of self-worth
- Build their tolerance to distress
- Learn how to manage stress
- Establish goals and pursue them
- Develop sustainable lifestyles
- Improve their communication skills
- Learn healthy coping skills
When co-occurring disorders exist, rehab centers offer non-habit-forming medications to manage them, along with natural, effective strategies such as eating well, sleeping well, managing stress, and avoiding long periods of social isolation. When treatment plans are established for co-occurring disorders in rehab, following these plans is a lifelong endeavor. As soon as people in recovery stop actively managing their co-occurring disorders, their risk of relapsing soars.
As you work towards establishing an effective and needs-specific relapse prevention plan, you’ll be encouraged to include elements that support your ongoing mental health. Achieving and maintaining high levels of mental wellness is always a priority in these environments. For some patients, this means receiving treatment for co-occurring disorders and learning how to manage these conditions over time. For others, it’s about building resilience, setting boundaries, and practicing good general self-care. To find out more about the many mental health services that are offered in rehab, call us today at 833-820-2922. Our counselors are always standing by.