Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Killeen, TX

Dual diagnosis treatment in Killeen integrates specialized treatment models designed to treat addiction and mental health disorders simultaneously to improve outcomes.

In the past, people with co-existing symptoms of addiction and a mental health disorder were sent to drug rehab centers to seek treatment for the substance abuse problem. Only after the person was considered clean and sober were they sent to a separate treatment facility to deal with the mental illness.

However, treating one disorder without simultaneously addressing the other can increase the risk of relapsing back into a pattern of addictive substance use. In order to make a successful recovery from both conditions, it's important to seek specialized dual diagnosis treatment in Killeen.

Dual diagnosis rehab centers are specifically designed to provide a safe environment for people struggling with co-existing disorders to begin the recovery process. The objective of dual diagnosis treatment programs is to use psychopharmacology, or specific prescription medications to treat symptoms of the mental health disorder while addressing the psychological triggers behind self-destructive substance abuse.

Dual diagnosis treatment in Killeen helps each recovering person identify their own unique addiction triggers before tailoring the right combination of therapies to help them manage symptoms in positive and healthy ways. The result is a reduced risk of relapsing back into dysfunctional addiction behaviors and an improved chance of managing the symptoms associated with a mental health disorder using healthy means.

What is Dual Diagnosis?

Dual diagnosis is the term used when a person has a mental health disorder and a co-existing substance abuse disorder. For many people struggling with dual diagnosis, the symptoms of mental illness may be the trigger for turning to drugs or alcohol in an effort to self-medicate. For others, symptoms of mental illness may be triggered or worsened by substance abuse.

The key to successful dual diagnosis treatment in Killeen is to assess each patient individually to determine their own specific needs. From there, it's much easier to customize a treatment plan for that person's unique journey to recovery.

Dual Diagnosis and Addiction

It's estimated that around 7.4% of people in America affected by dual diagnosis receive the integrated treatment they need to make a successful recovery. The majority of drug treatment centers focus solely on helping patients recover from substance abuse disorders, but treatment programs in Killeen will take mental health issues into account.

Likewise, psychiatric treatment options tend to treat the symptoms of mental health disorders, but maintain opposing treatment structures that don't take into account the psychological aspect of addiction that could make recovery extremely challenging.

Types of Mental Health Disorders

There are several mental health disorders that are most commonly linked to drug or alcohol addiction. These include:

Anxiety disorders: Many people struggling to live with anxiety and panic disorders turn to drugs or alcohol in an effort to numb or relieve the distress associated with the mental health condition. While drugs or alcohol may provide some temporary relieve, they may also make symptoms worse or trigger new symptoms to emerge, sparking a cycle of addiction.

Depression: There is a long-standing link between depression and alcohol abuse, although many people dealing with depressive disorders may also try to elevate mood or relieve symptoms with other types of drugs. Alcohol and opioid painkillers act as a depressant on the central nervous system, which can make symptoms of depression worse.

PTSD: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating form of anxiety disorder that causes enormous stress or anxiety after being involved or associated with a significant traumatic event. In an effort to numb or relieve painful memories, emotions or feelings, many self-medicate with drugs or alcohol. A large percentage of people with PTSD may also have symptoms of other serious mental health disorders, including depression and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as well as a variety of chronic physical illnesses, including diabetes, liver disease or hypertension (high blood pressure).

OCD: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a form of anxiety disorder that causes the person to engage in compulsive rituals. The person feels better temporarily while performing those rituals, but extreme anxiety and panic return soon after. The condition can be life-disrupting, causing many people to abuse drugs in an effort to provide some respite.

Treatment for Dual Diagnosis

Dual diagnosis treatment programs provide an integrated treatment approach for people struggling with symptoms of co-occurring disorders. Upon entering dual diagnosis rehab, the person is assessed to determine the scope of mental illness and the severity of the addiction.

Addiction specialists encourage carefully monitored use of prescription medications to control symptoms of the mental health disorder during rehab. The process of drug detox in Killeen also begins to remove the effects of the drug or alcohol from the system under medical supervision.

A major aspect of dual diagnosis treatment programs is the specialized counseling and therapies used to help each recovering person discover their own path to recovery. The objective of treatment is to teach the recovering person healthy ways to cope with drug cravings and manage symptoms of mental illness without the need for drugs or alcohol. Call us now at (877) 804-1531.