Many people who struggle with addiction also have a mental health condition. Oftentimes, substance abuse is caused by untreated symptoms of a mental illness leading you to self-medicate. When you struggle with a mental health condition and a substance use disorder at the same time, it is referred to as having co-occurring disorders.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “approximately 9.2 million adults in the United States have a co-occurring disorder.”[1]
When you suffer from an addiction and a mental illness, you must receive treatment for both conditions at the same time. Leaving one illness untreated could cause a relapse in the other over time. But how do you find a rehab program that will treat your co-occurring disorders in South Florida?
Understanding Co-Occurring Disorders
Co-occurring disorders are characterized by the coexistence of a mental health condition and a substance use disorder. In other words, it means you have a mental illness and an addiction at the same time.
According to the National Institute for Drug Abuse (NIDA), “of the 20.3 million adults with substance use disorders, 37.9% also had mental illnesses.”[2]
Addiction can co-occur with any mental health condition, however, substance misuse might be more prevalent among certain mental illnesses. The conditions that commonly occur alongside addiction include:[3]
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression
- Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Personality disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Schizophrenia
Oftentimes, it can be difficult to notice that someone with an addiction has a mental health condition because the symptoms of mental illness and substance use disorder can mimic one another. As a result, you must seek help from a mental health professional who is well-versed in substance abuse to determine whether you need treatment for co-occurring disorders.
What is a Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program?
Dual diagnosis programs are a specialized type of addiction rehab that includes assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for mental health conditions and addiction at the same time.
Dual diagnosis programs use traditional addiction treatment methods like medical detox, evidence-based behavioral therapy, and relapse prevention planning. The only difference is that they also include services for mental illness, like psychiatric assessments, therapy, group counseling, medication management, and more.
Oftentimes, people with co-occurring disorders do not receive the care they need. According to NIDA, 52.5% of people with a co-occurring disorder never receive professional treatment and 34.5% of them only receive support for their mental illness.[2] This prevents them from being able to recover from their co-occurring disorders, putting them at further risk of experiencing severe mental illness and the long-term effects of addiction.
How to Find Treatment for Mental Health and Addiction in South Florida
If you or a loved one suffer from co-occurring disorders, finding treatment is of the utmost importance. It can be difficult to find a dual diagnosis treatment program in South Florida that suits your needs because of the sheer amount of available options. This is especially true if you have never been to a dual diagnosis program before.
Thankfully, there are a few easy ways to find a dual diagnosis program that suits your specific needs.
Contact Your Insurance
If you have health insurance, the first thing you should do is contact your provider. They can give you a list of dual diagnosis programs in South Florida that are in-network, which means they accept your insurance. Because treatment can get pricey, this is an extremely important step.
Once you have a list, you can begin narrowing down your options by looking at testimonials from former clients, reading about the techniques they use in the program, and speaking with the treatment program about whether their rehab is right for you.
Consult With an Addiction Counselor
The easiest way to find a dual diagnosis program that meets your needs is to consult with an addiction counselor. These professionals will work with you to get to know your needs on a personal basis. After they have completed a thorough assessment, they will have all of the information they need to find a mental health and addiction treatment program that benefits you.
Do Your Research
Lastly, if you do not want to hire an addiction counselor and do not have insurance, you can find a treatment program by researching for yourself. While this can be a little bit more difficult, it will allow you to make an informed decision on which mental health and addiction treatment center to attend.
When looking for a dual diagnosis rehab in South Florida, pay attention to the following:
- Is the program accredited or licensed?
- Do their staff members have qualifications and degrees?
- How long is the program?
- Does the facility look like a comfortable place to recover in?
- Is the facility in a safe neighborhood?
- Does the program specialize in your mental health condition?
- Does the program have good reviews?
- Is the program in your price range or does it accept your insurance?
Get Connected With a Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Program in South Florida
If you or a loved one require dual diagnosis treatment in South Florida, Mandala Healing Center is here to help. We can provide you with all of the services you need, from an in-depth psychiatric assessment and diagnosis to evidence-based behavioral therapy and relapse prevention planning.
To learn more about our mental health and addiction rehab program in South Florida, contact Mandala Healing Center today.
References:
- https://www.samhsa.gov/medications-substance-use-disorders/medications-counseling-related-conditions/co-occurring-disorders
- https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/trends-statistics/infographics/comorbidity-substance-use-other-mental-disorders
- https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/substance-use-and-mental-health