People who have substance use disorders and mental health disorders are diagnosed as having co-occurring disorders, commonly referred to as dual diagnosis in the medical field.
Co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders impact one another and must be treated at the same time, in the same place, by the same treatment team to be effective. Why? When treating both disorders simultaneously, you have a better chance of long-lasting recovery and a lower risk of relapse. The clinical team at Alpine Recovery Lodge is skilled in the diagnosis and treatment of several co-occurring disorders.
The Alpine Recovery Lodge dual diagnosis programs treat a broad range of co-occurring psychiatric conditions, including:
Bipolar and other mood disorders like major depression, dysthymia, mood disorder due to a medical condition, and substance-induced mood disorders are mental health conditions that affect a person’s mental health. They can cause long periods of extreme happiness, extreme sadness, or both. People who struggle with bipolar disorder or other mood disorders are more likely to use drugs or alcohol to stabilize their mood, however, it often has the opposite effect.
Anxiety disorders involve symptoms of excessive stress that can negatively impact a person’s ability to complete normal daily activities. Common anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, specific phobias, social anxiety disorder, and separation anxiety disorder. Individuals with anxiety disorders are twice as likely to use alcohol or drugs to alleviate symptoms of anxiety as those who do not and might benefit from co-occurring disorders treatment.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that may occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event (e.g., natural disaster, serious accident, terrorist attack, war/combat, etc.). Self-medicating with alcohol, opiates, and marijuana is a common behavior among people who struggle with PTSD, however, these substances are more likely to worsen PTSD symptoms than relieve them.
EMDR is a type of psychotherapy that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences. EMDR may also be effective when treating substance abuse disorders because trauma appears to play a major role in addiction.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by unreasonable thoughts and fears that lead to compulsive behaviors. When someone with OCD becomes addicted to drugs or alcohol, they want to keep their addiction hidden, making intervention, diagnosis, and treatment extremely difficult. People with OCD are often treated for co-occurring disorders.
A personality disorder is a type of mental health disorder that causes a rigid and unhealthy pattern of thinking, functioning, and behaving. Substance use disorders and personality disorders (PDs) like paranoid PD, schizoid PD, antisocial PD, borderline PD, and narcissistic PD frequently occur together and negatively impact substance use disorders.
Process addictions are patterns of compulsive behavior that resemble substance use disorders in several ways and often respond to many of the same interventions. Process addictions include compulsive behaviors like gambling, excessive shopping, eating disorders, exercising too much, sex addictions, and various addictions involving computer devices.
Co-occurring disorders are complex and require a comprehensive, integrated approach to care. Our licensed therapists and counselors tailor our rehabilitation programs to treat each individual’s unique needs. During treatment, we focus on all aspects of your recovery journey including emotional, spiritual, and physical wellness.
It’s time to restore your mind, body, and spirit, so you can begin living a life full of hope and happiness. Call Alpine Recovery Lodge at 801-901-8757 to take the first step toward long-lasting recovery.
Alpine Recovery Lodge
