Dual Diagnosis in Montgomery, AL (877) 804-1531

Dual diagnosis is a condition that occurs when a person has a mental health disorder and a co-occurring alcohol or drug abuse problem. Examples of conditions that may occur alongside a dual diagnosis in Montgomery can include depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia and personality disorders.

In the case of a dual diagnosis in Montgomery, a person may have a mental health disorder first and begin to abuse drugs or alcohol. The reverse can also be the case; the person abuses drugs or alcohol first, which leads to a mental health disorder. In either case, without proper treatment one can cause the other to worsen. Additionally, only treating one illness can be just as ineffective.

Alcohol Treatment Centers Montgomery offers the well-rounded and in-depth approach required for finding the ultimate rehab center. Contact us today at (877) 804-1531.

Mental Health Disorders and Addiction

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), dual diagnosis has complex causes. Those with mental illness may abuse drugs and alcohol as a means of self-medicating in an attempt to escape their feelings. Abusing drugs and/or alcohol can also bring about feelings of isolation, insecurity and fear, which can trigger mental illness, such as depression.

Types of Mental Health Disorders

Mental health disorders associated with drug and alcohol abuse risks include depression, a condition that causes a person to feel intense sadness for no known reason. Depression can cause physical pains as well as mental fatigue.

Anxiety disorders can include obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These occur when anxiety interferes with a person's ability to function throughout daily life. Someone with severe anxiety will experience intense panic attacks without warning.

Schizophrenia is a severe mental health disorder that can cause hallucinations, paranoia and delusions. Personality disorders include antisocial, narcissistic or paranoid personality disorders. People with personality disorders may have difficulty dealing with the daily world and forming relationships with others. They have a twisted view of reality.

Why Is Dual Diagnosis So Prevalent? Statistics for Montgomery

Substance abuse continues to be a problem nationwide, and Alabama is no exception. Alabama ranks 26th in the nation for highest incidence of drug overdose mortality, according to the Trust for America's Health. An estimated 12.5 percent of people in Alabama ages 18 to 25 and 4.9 percent of those older than age 26 need treatment for alcohol abuse, according to the Alabama Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup.

These problems are certainly prevalent in Montgomery, and it is difficult to know the true extent of those with dual diagnoses in the area because many people go undiagnosed.

What Treatments Are Available?

Help is available for those struggling with mental illness and substance abuse. Examples of methods utilized to help in a professional drug treatment center include:

Psychopharmacology

Those with mental illness often have chemical imbalances in the brain that can cause a person to experience mental illness symptoms. Treatments can include medications to restore balance. These include antidepressants, anxiolytics, anti-psychotics and stimulants. Psychopharmacology treatments should only be obtained via a doctor's prescription.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy provides an outlet for a person to share his or her feelings in a safe, non-judgmental environment. Professional psychotherapy sessions can help a person realize he or she is not alone in the daily struggles of mental illness and substance abuse.

Behavioral Management

Behavioral management is a strategy that helps a person to identify negative behaviors, such as drug and alcohol abuse. A person may also evaluate how triggers for the behaviors so they can be avoided in the future.

Aftercare Services or Relapse Prevention

Sometimes a person no longer requires full-time inpatient treatment for dual diagnosis, but may need extra support. Alcohol Treatment Centers Montgomery provides addiction aftercare services that ensure a person will be successful in overcoming their abuse history not for months or weeks, but for a lifetime.

If you or someone you love believes that they might be suffering from a dual diagnosis. Call Alcohol Treatment Centers Montgomery today for assistance in finding a treatment facility. (877) 804-1531