Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Costa Mesa, CA

Costa Mesa, CA Dual Diagnosis Treatment 

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Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Costa Mesa, CA

Dual diagnosis treatment in Costa Mesa CA (also called a co-occurring disorder or comorbid disorder) describes the complex situation that individuals face when their substance abuse overlaps with one or more mental health issues.

For a long time, healthcare providers would focus on solving one problem or the other instead of both, and we now know this approach is not enough.

When one problem begins to dissipate but the other remains, it’s easy for individuals to relapse because they feel helpless and trapped.

Mental illnesses and substance abuse often occur together because of their link to the same root cause – an interference with healthy brain development, which is often contributed to by a number of environmental, genetic, and social factors.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Costa Mesa, CA – Mental Illness & Substance Abuse

The two disorders feed off of each other, and it’s sometimes challenging to tell if the dual diagnosis began with a malfunction in the brain or the brain malfunction came after the drug abuse began. Some individuals will seek substances to help them combat the symptoms of their mental illness, while others develop a mental illness (most likely depression) as a result of their addiction.

The triggers are different, but the result is often the same: A dependence on the substance(s) of choice, a temporarily filled gap, and a cycle of abuse that’s difficult to break without professional help with dual diagnosis treatment in Costa Mesa CA.

Whatever the order or combination, we know they occur together. Because of this, it’s best for them to be treated together. As is the case with many other culturally diverse and vibrant cities, dual diagnosis treatment in Costa Mesa, CA is common. The easy availability of illicit drugs, the normalization that they have achieved over the years, and other factors contribute to the growing problem.

Luckily, local healthcare professionals are paying attention to this problem. Dual diagnosis treatment centers are designed and prepared to help individuals overcome substance abuse and get mental health treatment at the same time.

When you address all present issues rather than one or the other, you have a much greater chance of success and reduce the likelihood of a relapse.

Why Does Dual Diagnosis Occur?

Individuals with mental health disorders often turn to drugs and alcohol to treat a problem they don’t entirely understand.

The following co-occurring disorder statistics are equally troubling:

• The National Institute on Drug Abuse tells us that drug addicts are twice as likely to suffer from mental health disorders, particularly those affecting mood and anxiety levels.
• The National Institute on Drug Abuse also reports that individuals with severe mental illnesses are much more likely to be heavy alcohol users and habitual tobacco smokers – about four times more likely and five times more likely, respectively.
• The National Survey on Drug Use and Health revealed several years ago that approximately 8.4 million adults in America have both a substance abuse disorder and a mental health issue, and we expect that this number is even higher now.

The potential for abuse and to build up a tolerance is particularly high when alcohol and drugs are mixed with mental health conditions. The negative cycle that it creates is often a very difficult one to break out of, especially when users try to do it alone.

Because of its severity, complexity, and multiple overlapping concerns, overcoming dual diagnosis often requires medical assistance. Researchers, psychiatrists, scientists, and doctors in the medical field are working hard to understand the connections between drug and alcohol abuse and mental health issues, as well as the impact that individuals feel in the brain after suffering trauma or abuse.

We don’t have all of the answers yet, and some individuals may find that discouraging, but with dual diagnosis treatment, there is hope.

Addiction and PTSD – A Dual Diagnosis Case

Post-traumatic stress disorder is known for causing the brain to produce fewer endorphins than a healthy brain would. Since these endorphins are, in part, responsible for feelings of happiness, many individuals suffering from PTSD will turn to drugs or alcohol in the hopes of recreating these missing feelings.

This problem is especially common in veteran soldiers who have experienced violence or trauma in combat.

Addiction and ADHD – A Dual Diagnosis Case

Individuals with attention deficit hyperactive disorder are often prescribed stimulants to treat their symptoms. Because of their ability to create a kind of euphoric feeling, increase energy and focus, and improve confidence, they are very addictive. These drugs are often habit-forming and commonly encourage a pattern of substance abuse that is challenging to overcome.

Addiction and Bipolar Disorder – A Dual Diagnosis Case

For several reasons, patients suffering from bipolar disorder are very likely to suffer from an addiction, as well. About 60% of people with bipolar disorder have a history of substance abuse. Because bipolar disorder often causes manic behaviors and mood swings, individuals typically turn to alcohol and drugs in an effort to get some relief from an intense manic or emotional episode.

Addiction and Schizophrenia – Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Costa Mesa, CA

Two of the most common side effects of schizophrenia are delusions and hallucinations, which also happen to be common side effects in addiction, making this combination an incredible health risk. Schizophrenic individuals often attempt to self-medicate with substances that contribute to the problem without realizing they have the same effects and often make the original problem much worse.

Addiction and Depression as a Dual Diagnosis Case

Depression is one of the most common mental health issues in this country and a large factor in understanding dual diagnosis. The crippling side effects and symptoms patients with depression suffer from will often lead them to abuse alcohol or drugs in an attempt to self-medicate and get rid of their depressive symptoms.

While substance abuse often leads to an initial high, it is temporary. The following crash users feel after the high wears off often leaves them worse than where they began. Pre-existing depressive issues can become devastating once they are mixed with uncontrolled or illicit substances.

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Addiction and Anxiety – Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Costa Mesa, CA

Another incredibly prevalent mental health disorder is anxiety. Individuals with anxiety are both more likely to abuse alcohol and drugs to try to manage their symptoms and are more likely to abuse benzodiazepines.

Benzodiazepines are psychoactive prescription drugs that are used to sedate or calm patients with anxiety. They alter the user’s brain chemistry, changing the way they think, and their level of consciousness — which gives them a high potential for abuse and makes them highly addictive. Benzodiazepine users often take them in conjunction with alcohol, as well, which makes for a potentially deadly combination.

Addiction and Eating Disorders – Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Eating disorders generally develop from overwhelming feelings of inferiority, a lack of control, and insecurity. Certain illicit drugs are known to increase energy and decrease appetite, which makes them appealing to individuals with eating disorders.

Substances like amphetamines are known to aid weight loss, but the effects are short-lived. This leads users to increase both the amount and frequency of their doses to achieve the same results over and over again. Both illicit amphetamines and prescription amphetamines have a high risk of abuse and addiction.

Addiction and Gambling in Costa Mesa, CA

Because gambling is considered to be normal and fun in our society, many individuals won’t recognize when they have a gambling addiction.

The potential rewards of gambling make it an appealing pastime, and it’s only when it is coupled with a substance abuse disorder that it becomes particularly dangerous. Addictive substances like alcohol and drugs are often involved in the process of gambling because of the environment that it typically takes place in.

Gamblers may also begin to abuse substances to deal with losing large amounts of money, owing debts to unsavory individuals, and for a number of other reasons.

Gambling can be high-stakes, high-energy, and highly stressful, all of which contribute to the perceived need of turning to a substance to decrease the accompanying feelings of stress and anxiety.

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Understanding Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Costa Mesa, CA

A large number of people suffer from an undiagnosed mental health disorder and require mental health treatment. It’s often impossible to tell exactly what the problem is without visiting a healthcare specialist, but individuals often know there is a problem — even if they’re not sure of the specifics. It’s important to know that dual diagnosis (and mental health disorders on their own) is not something to tuck away because you’re embarrassed or afraid. Dual diagnosis is a common occurrence, and it’s a treatable one, too.

Whether you think you may have a dual diagnosis or you know that you do, there are some common signs and symptoms that are pretty good indicators it’s time to make a change. One of the biggest indicators is that you often use alcohol and/or drugs to distract yourself or escape from prevailing psychological problems. You may also abuse substances to deal with past traumas or to feel like yourself again, feel angry, or suicidal when you attempt to quit on your own, withdraw from the people you love, or participate in other dangerous behaviors and activities.

Individuals with mental illnesses present in their family’s medical history are at a higher risk for developing dual diagnosis disorders. Brain chemistry and responses, genetics, environmental triggers, and early exposure are common contributors for many people suffering from dual diagnoses. No matter the cause, signs, or symptoms, it’s important to get help as soon as you recognize that there is a problem.

If you believe you or someone you love is in need of dual diagnosis treatment in Costa Mesa CA, call for more information. Don’t hesitate. Once you’ve recognized the signs, it’s time to let our caring and kind staff of highly-trained professionals help turn your life around.

The Dangers of Self-Medicating for Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Many individuals turn to drug abuse and alcohol to make themselves feel better without ever knowing what the underlying problem is. Mental illnesses and psychiatric disorders are common, but it’s also not unusual for patients to struggle to identify that they have one at first.

Recent increases in healthcare costs and the perceived stigma of receiving mental health treatment have kept thousands of suffering individuals from getting the help that they need and deserve. Mental illness may be making your addiction even stronger, and self-medicating to try to stifle your symptoms will only compound the issue over time. In turn, this throws your physical and mental health even further out of balance.

Mental health and substance abuse are strongly and deeply linked within the human brain and body. They feed off of each other and make it feel impossible to perform even the simplest of daily tasks.

Even without the presence of an underlying mental health disorder, drugs and alcohol alone are capable of changing an individual’s brain chemistry. When coupled with mental health issues, it’s even more likely to lead to both short and long-term damage to an individual’s physical and mental health, even proving fatal in many cases.

Substance abuse is not an effective coping mechanism for trauma, mental illness, or other stressful events. This not only creates an additional problem (addiction), but it often makes the underlying mental health disorder even worse in the process.

Abusing a depressant to numb unpleasant emotions, or loading up on benzos to stop panic attacks, substance abuse is not the answer to your problems. It may seem like it at first, but it won’t last for long, and the long-term effects are far more damaging than the original problem you’re trying to overcome.

Dual diagnosis treatment centers can help individuals break this cycle by treating both the mental health issue and the substance abuse together so that there is no longer a need to self-medicate in an attempt to cope with overwhelming side effects and symptoms. This is called integrated treatment, and it has been successfully used to break the connection between mental health disorders and substance abuse for thousands of individuals.

Dual Diagnosis in Costa Mesa, CA  and Paying for Rehab

Thankfully at Resurgence Behavioral Health, we offer treatment options that are covered by most health insurance providers.

If you’re unsure of whether or not you will be covered, our admissions coordinators offer a complimentary insurance verification when you call to perform your initial intake. We accept most PPO insurances, but we also recognize that not everyone has access to healthcare these days, and we never let that deter us from helping someone in need when we’re given the chance.

For patients who do not have insurance coverage, we help develop a comprehensive payment plan based on your customized treatment program. This will help break up and disburse the costs so that you don’t have to worry about them all at once.

Cost is just one factor of many in the decision to get sober and healthy, and you should never let it keep you from getting the help you need. When you speak with our helpful and friendly admissions coordinators, they’ll gather the information that they need about your addiction and potential underlying issues, provide you with information regarding your treatment options and costs, and provide alternative options, if necessary.

Your health is our primary goal, and each of our staff members operates with this goal at the forefront of their minds.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Costa Mesa, CA at Resurgence

We utilize a variety of comprehensive integrated care strategies to rectify both conditions in your dual diagnosis treatment and give you the tools you need to get healthy, stay healthy, and enjoy a life free from toxic dual diagnosis cycles.

Getting healthy is the best decision you can make for yourself and the people that love you, too. If you’re tired of feeling stuck in old behaviors, thoughts, and symptoms, this is the time to take a different, more effective approach.

Overcoming addiction and mental health disorders is challenging, but with the right treatment and caring, supportive guidance, you will make it through.

To start simply call or fill out an insurance verification request, and we will take care of the rest for you.