Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center in Fort Lauderdale

Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center in Fort Lauderdale

What Does Dual Diagnosis Mean?

The term dual diagnosis means that someone has both a substance use disorder as well as a co-occurring mental health disorder.  Common mental health conditions that often accompany addiction include PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, and Bipolar Disorder.  

The Prevalence of Co-Occurring Disorders

Co-occurring disorders are relatively common, in fact, a third of the American population lives with mental health disorders, and half of those people suffer from an addiction.  Co-occurring disorders are more common in men, and veterans, and those with a family history of mental illness and addiction are more likely to have a dual diagnosis.

Why Dual Diagnosis Treatment Matters

Addressing both diagnoses in addiction treatment will not only help you feel better overall, but it will ensure the most success in your recovery journey.  In dual diagnosis treatment, you will have a personalized treatment plan that is specific to your goals for recovery.  You will engage in several forms of trauma therapies to help you identify the root causes of addiction, and medications can be prescribed to decrease symptoms associated with mental health diagnoses.  Dual diagnosis treatment also values and encourages input and participation in treatment from close family and friends.  Involvement of loved ones in addiction treatment and family programs has been shown to increase success in addiction recovery.  

Therapies That Treat the Root Causes of Addiction

Therapy is the cornerstone of addiction treatment and is where a lot of your personal growth will take place.  These therapies are intended to, with the help of a therapist, identify the causes of your addiction and help you learn ways to cope with them effectively.  Therapies that are utilized in drug or alcohol rehab include:

  • Trauma therapies such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR), Rapid Resolution Therapy (RRT)
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Behavioral Therapy
  • Brain Mapping
  • Family Therapy
  • Art and Music Therapy
  • Hypnotism 
  • Medication assisted treatments 

Signs of a Dual Diagnosis

Each person’s experience with a dual diagnosis will look different, but it is good to know some signs to look for so you can identify if you or a loved one may have a dual diagnosis.  Signs of a dual diagnosis include:

  • Difficulty maintaining employment or performing poorly in school
  • Attempting to stop drinking or using drugs but has had repeated relapses
  • Is often regretful for engaging in substance use but is unable to stop
  • Increased tolerance has them searching for stronger vices to obtain a high
  • Loss of interest in things they once enjoyed
  • Changes in sleeping patterns
  • Drastic and frequent mood changes
  • Feelings of hopelessness or despair

Risk Factors for Dual Diagnosis

Many of the risk factors for mental health conditions are the same that contribute to developing an addiction because mental illness and substance use are risk factors for one another.  Specific risk factors that can lead to dual diagnosis are:

  • Family history
  • Genetics
  • Stress
  • Trauma 
  • Some people with mental health conditions seek solace from painful feelings or memories through the use of substances and then quickly become dependent on them.  This occurs because of the way drugs and alcohol change how our brains send and receive signals, making it more likely for addiction to occur.   

Treatment for Mental Health and Addiction at The Source

The Source Addiction Treatment Center in gorgeous Fort Lauderdale, Florida offers several levels of care, from residential treatment to outpatient programs, The Source is your one stop shop for quality and effective addiction and mental health treatment.  Their compassionate staff will make you feel right at home while you work on achieving your goal of addiction recovery.  If you or a loved one would like more information about dual diagnosis treatment near fort lauderdale please call (800)204-0418 or visit online at www.thesourcetreatmentcenter.com.