What Is Dual Diagnosis And How Can It Be Treated?

What Is Dual Diagnosis And How Can It Be Treated?

Dual diagnosis treatment is a comprehensive and integrated approach designed to address the complex needs of individuals who suffer from both substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. This specialized treatment recognizes that these conditions often intertwine and exacerbate one another, making it crucial to tackle both aspects simultaneously for effective recovery. Dual diagnosis treatment typically involves a combination of evidence-based therapies, including counseling, medication management, psychoeducation, and behavioral interventions.

Dual Diagnosis as the name suggests, is when a person has a diagnosis of both a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder. Dual Diagnosis is a combination of diagnoses which can be treated at the same time. Most people who struggle with substance addiction mostly have underlying mental health issues which have not been adequately addressed and treated. Crossroads Recovery Centres, specializing in dual diagnosis treatment, are renowned facilities dedicated to helping individuals on their journey to recovery from substance abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders.

There are some symptoms which are aligned to dual diagnosis and some of these include:

• Using substances while overlooking the dangers that are associated with using substances.
• Behaviour or Personality Changes
• Isolating one’s self from family and friends.
• Recurring abuse of alcohol and drugs
• Unable to function without substances due to cravings
• Swift mood swings
• No control over substance use

There are common mental disorders which are associated with substance abuse and the examples of dual diagnosis can include, bipolar, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and behavioural disorders. The most common examples of a dual diagnosis are:

• Meth addiction and Psychosis
• Prescription drugs addiction and anxiety
• Alcohol addiction and Depression
• Opioid addiction and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Marijuana addiction and Schizophrenia
• Benzodiazepines addiction and anxiety
• Alcohol addiction and Attention- Deficit Hyperactive Disorder.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

The ideal treatment for a dual diagnosis is a holistic approach where both disorders are treated and addressed with an integrated approach. Crossroads Recovery Centre provides clients with a safe and nurturing environment where clients work together with their health care providers to understand how each of the disorders in a dual diagnosis affects the other.

Crossroads Recovery Centre also makes use of Psychosocial treatments in their treatment of a dual diagnosis, which include family interventions, motivational interviewing, relapse prevention group work, group and individual therapy sessions, individual counselling sessions as well as cognitive and behaviour therapy sessions. Mindfulness and psychosocial assessments are also utilised in the treatment of a dual diagnosis.

Start your dual diagnosis treatment with Crossroads Recovery Centre, where we provide individual clients with proper treatment and support to enable and empower clients to manage their conditions and live healthy lives filled with joy and happiness.

Stories of Recovery

• The encouragement, love and support from the team at Crossroads allowed me to eventually see that I was worth something - that my life could be turned around and that I could accomplish the things that had long been a forgotten dream.
  Oliver VG
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• On the last day of my stint at Crossroads I could only express gratitude towards all who works there. A wise councillor once commented on my question when one is ready for rehab by explaining that when one is ready for rehab, rehab is ready for you.
  Johan B
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• I was lost and my soul was broken until I ended up at Crossroads and was introduced to the Twelve Steps. With the help of their excellent staff and amazing support I have recently been clean for 18 months, I could not have done it without them!
  Carla S
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• "Just for today I am more than three years in recovery. I have Cross Roads to thank for this wonderful gift. Cross Roads helped me to set a firm foundation in my recovery on which I can continue to build."
  Angelique J
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