Treating Dual Diagnosis Patients
Those who have both a mental illness and an addiction to drugs or alcohol present a challenge for medical professionals. Treating these individuals is complicated by the overlapping symptoms of the addiction and the mental illness. Complete treatment takes time and great care due to the delicate nature of the individual.
Because these individuals have a mental illness, getting them to comply with the rules and regulations of a typical drug rehab program can be difficult. It is hard to get them to take their meds, attend counseling or other basic necessities associated with success in a rehab program.
The most successful approaches for dual diagnosis patients are the integrated programs that treat all aspects of the illnesses in a single location.
Mental health professionals and addiction rehab counselors work together in these programs to provide well-rounded care that encompasses everything involved in the diagnosis.
The dual diagnosis treatment process may include:
- Interviews from mental health professionals to assess the psychiatric issues the patient is experiencing. This stage will help identify which mental illness the individual is suffering from.
- Assessment of the mental illness. Medication may be prescribed at this point, as well as general psychiatric counseling to address the illness.
- Integration of addiction rehab. Using the knowledge gained from the psychological evaluation, counselors will begin working with the individual to address his drug or alcohol addiction. This process may be move at a more deliberate pace than "stand alone" rehab because of the complications caused by the mental illness.
- Treat for the mind, body and spirit. Programs that employ holistic treatments such as massage therapy, yoga, nutritional counseling and meditation help the individual find balance in their lives (often for the first time). Not all dual diagnosis rehab programs offer holistic care, but those that do enjoy high rates of success, and low relapse rates.
- Coping skills. Individuals are taught new methods for coping with their mental illness and shown how to avoid the triggers that can cause relapse. In this final phase of the dual diagnosis rehab, the individual learns to master the tools needed to succeed in the outside world.
- Relapse prevention. Aftercare programs provide a support structure and accountability for the individual. The period after leaving rehab can be difficult, and indeed, scary for the recovering addict with a mental illness.
There is a lot to do (take meds regularly, avoid triggers of addiction) and even more to rebuild (personal relationship, careers, etc.) but the aftercare program lets the individual know that they are not alone during this part of their journey, and provides much needed structure.
The Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers give those individuals suffering from co-existing conditions a fighting chance. Although no program can guarantee success, the rehab facilities of the Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers swing the odds in your favor. With an unmatched commitment to personalized care, and a program that treats the mind, body and spirit, Michael's House (California), The Canyon (California) and LaPaloma (Tennessee) stand alone in the industry.
