Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment

If you or a loved one is struggling with co-occurring substance abuse and mental health issues, Emerge is here for you. Our dual diagnosis treatment center in Atlanta, Georgia is here to help you begin your journey of recovery from co-occurring disorders.

What Are Co-Occurring Disorders?

Having a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder is known as co-occurring disorders. Also known as dual diagnosis, this is the medical way of saying someone is struggling with two distinct issues at the same time.

For many people currently struggling with addiction, the physical effects of substance abuse aren’t their only concern. They’re also dealing with an untreated mental health disorder. Emerge provides a world-class co-occurring disorder treatment program that is ready to help you today..

The Benefits of Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment

Many studies have shown that addiction and mental health conditions often occur together due to many different reasons. When a person has both an addiction and a mental health condition, they are considered to have a dual diagnosis, sometimes called a co-occurring disorder. Seeking dual diagnosis treatment in Georgia means getting help for both concerns, which boosts your chances of recovering from both conditions and leading a normal life once again.

The Connection Between Mental Health and Addiction

Mental health and addiction are closely linked. Addiction is, in and of itself, considered a mental health condition because of the way that it affects brain function. Abusing substances makes your brain rely on them to release dopamine, the chemical responsible for making us feel happy and relaxed. This means that normally enjoyable activities no longer make you feel good, and instead, your brain craves drugs to release dopamine.

The longer you abuse substances, the more imbalanced your brain chemicals become, setting you up for additional mental health issues. If you have preexisting mental health conditions, drug abuse can make your symptoms worse over time. No matter which condition came first, or even if you aren’t sure which came first, continued drug abuse will only continue to harm your mental health.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment for Co-Occurring Disorders

How Common Are Co-Occurring Disorders?

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, nearly half of all people in the U.S. with a drug addiction also suffer from at least one mental health condition. People who are diagnosed with a mental health condition are twice as likely as the rest of the population to develop an addiction at some point in their lives.

A facility that offers dual diagnosis treatment in Georgia should be well-versed in treating both addiction and mental health conditions to guarantee the best possible outcomes for their clients. Emerge Healing Center is proud to offer a specialized dual diagnosis treatment program to our clients, which offers appropriate treatments to ensure our clients have the tools that they need to overcome both conditions.

Risk Factors for Co-Occurring Disorders

While addiction and mental health issues may often go hand in hand, this doesn’t necessarily mean that one caused the other. There are a few different factors that influence a person’s likelihood of developing a dual diagnosis. Researchers have identified three different reasons why a person might develop this condition:

Co-Occurring Addiction and Mental Health in the Brain

Addiction and Mental Health Issues Share Common Risk Factors

Both conditions can be influenced by your genetics, daily stress, and a history of physical or emotional trauma.

Certain Mental Health Disorders Can Lead to Addiction

This happens when someone uses substances to try and self-medicate their mental health symptoms instead of seeking professional help. Some mental health disorders also influence your brain function in a way that makes it more likely for you to get addicted to drugs, even if you aren’t using them to self-medicate.

Substance Abuse Can Lead to A Mental Health Disorder

Drug abuse changes the way that your brain functions, making it more likely that you will develop certain conditions like depression and anxiety. This is especially true with marijuana (or any THC-containing substance), hallucinogens, and methamphetamine.

Call Today

If you or a loved one is struggling with co-occurring disorders, then call Emerge Healing Center today. We can help you find which dual diagnosis treatment center in Atlanta is appropriate for your situation.

Signs of Co-Occurring Disorders

If you are worried that you or a loved one is suffering from a dual diagnosis issue, there are some signs you can look for before seeking dual diagnosis treatment in Georgia. While signs of addiction can vary based on what substance is being abused, the most common include:

  • Sudden, bizarre changes in behavior or habits
  • Frequent mood swings or inappropriate outbursts of anger
  • Secretive behavior
  • Frequently asking for money, or stealing or lying to get money
  • Signs of intravenous drug use, such as needle tracks
  • Sudden and noticeable changes in weight
  • Inability to hold down a job, despite previous working experience
  • Erratic sleeping patterns
  • Using substances as a way to cope with depression, anxiety, etc.
  • A history of mental, emotional, or physical trauma
  • Family history of mental illness

How Are Co-Occurring Disorders Treated?

The most important thing to remember about a dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring disorders is that it is imperative to be treated for both addiction and mental health symptoms. Only treating one fails to address the other issues, making it far more likely for a relapse. Dual diagnosis treatment in Georgia addresses both addiction and mental illness, giving you a path to recovery for both.

Most clients will begin treatment with medical detox, which helps get all of the substances out of your system so that you can focus on getting better. Next, you will undergo behavioral therapy, both individual and group sessions. This not only helps you to identify the root cause of your addiction but also gives you healthy coping mechanisms to overcome your drug use triggers. Group therapy may seem awkward for many, but it helps support recovery by giving you a place to talk about your experience and daily challenges, as well as celebrate milestones as you achieve them.

Finding Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment in Alpharetta

Taking the first step to recovery can be a very difficult thing for many people. Emerge Healing Center is here to help with compassionate care with our dual diagnosis treatment in Georgia. Our caring and experienced staff are here to answer any questions you may have about co-occurring disorder treatment, as well as help you decide on the right treatment path for your individual needs. Contact us today to learn more, and let us arm you with all of the tools you need to be successful in recovery.

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If you or a loved one is struggling with co-occurring disorders then we are here for you. Please give us a call today so you can begin the journey of a lifetime.

More Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment Resources

If you’d like to learn more about dual diagnosis treatment, read some of our informative articles on the topic below. We dive into every aspect of treating co-occurring disorders so that we can answer any questions you may have.