Dual Diagnosis Treatment Programs

What if you broke both legs, and doctors only treated the left one? You certainly couldn't run any marathons, right? In fact, you'd probably have trouble just standing up.
That's what life is like for those suffering from both mental illness and substance abuse. Often times, only one of their legs is being treated, causing them to stumble and fall on their journey through recovery.

An integrated, dual diagnosis approach is what's needed

Dual diagnosis is a term used to describe the simultaneous, coordinated treatment of individuals with both mental illness and substance abuse issues. Lots of people need this treatment - statistics from the Journal of the American Medical Association show roughly 50 percent of individuals with severe mental disorders are affected by substance abuse. Of all people diagnosed with mental illness, 29 percent abuse either alcohol or drugs.

Treating both problems at once is the only way to overcome either

Whenever possible, it is also preferable to receive substance abuse and mental health services from the same source. The federal government's Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration says dual diagnosis sufferers have a much better chance of recovery when both disorders are treated by the same clinician or treatment team. The reason for this higher success rate is both simple and logical - traveling to two different facilities creates the potential for incompatible treatment plans. In addition, forcing the patient to bounce back and forth between two locations is certainly not the ideal situation.

The best dual diagnosis treatment is comprehensive

Treating individuals with dual disorders requires care that goes beyond standard counseling or medication. Clients may need job and housing assistance, family counseling, or even money and relationship management. High-quality treatment facilities provide all of this - doing so with a positive, optimistic attitude that encourages and nurtures the client's long-term well-being. Every detail of the client's care should be focused on both ailments. For example, it is not enough to teach relationship skills to a person with bipolar disorder - they must also learn to avoid the specific relationships associated with their drug or alcohol addiction.

Progress in treating dual diagnosis can be slow, but doing nothing is dangerous

Individuals suffering from both mental illness and substance abuse must be allowed to improve at their own pace - it is hardly fair or reasonable to expect them to get well as quickly as someone battling just substance abuse. But this more-modest speed of recovery should in no way be a deterrent to entering treatment. Ignoring a dual disorder problem can have frightening, tragic results. Dual disorder individuals, when left untreated, have a greater propensity for violence, suicide, and homelessness.

The case of Michael Becker

Illinois teen Michael Becker is a perfect example of why dual diagnosis treatment is so important. Michael struggled with his bipolar mental illness, and often turned to illicit drugs. Michael's parents did their best to get their son's life back on track, but Michael was kicked out of mental health facilities because of his drug problem. Drug rehab centers didn't address his mental illness.

At the age of 19, Michael's life came to an abrupt, untimely end when he overdosed on methadone.
"A month before he died is when I first heard the term 'dual diagnosis,'" his mother told the Chicago Daily Herald.
Michael's family has since started a charity designed to increase awareness of dual diagnosis treatment.

Growing support for dual diagnosis

From the federal government to state government to state courts, dual diagnosis treatment has been praised for achieving superior results. Many states have Drug Courts that steer first-time drug offenders to treatment instead of jail - California now also has a Dual Diagnosis Court. Some treatment facilities, meanwhile, have pushed for changes to state licensing rules so that treatment beds are no longer designated for mental illness or substance abuse - some would be classified for both. This, in turn, could increase the availability of dual diagnosis care.

No matter your insurance, be it Cigna, Aetna, Humana, Blue Cross / Blue Shield (BCBS), Assurant, Unicare, United Health Care, Anthem, Carefirst, Asuris Northwest Health, Golden Rule, Celtic Insurance, Fortis, Health Net, Kaiser, Vista, Shelter, Wellpoint, Tri Care, Accordia or even Medicare, and state insurance - we can help you find a dual diagnosis treatment program. We also offer many affordable self pay options as well as luxury dual diagnosis treatment.