If you or a loved one suffers from chemical dependency, you are not alone. A 2009 national survey conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration concluded that 23.5 million Americans who were at least 12 years old suffered from a drug or alcohol abuse problem. Still, only about 11 percent of those who had a problem received treatment.
Some people may be hesitant to seek treatment because they do not believe that it will help. However, a new form of treatment called "dual diagnosis treatment" has been quite effective in helping people recover from chemical addiction. Here are a few reasons that dual diagnosis treatment is effective for drug and alcohol rehabilitation:
It addresses multiple conditions.
Dual diagnosis treatment is designed to treat the addiction as well as the mental condition of the patient. Most people who are chemically dependent suffer from more than a substance abuse problem. Many display signs of a mental illness, such as depression, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.
The mental condition and the chemical dependency feed on one another. For instance, a person who is depressed is more likely to consume large quantities of alcohol, and an alcoholic is likely to be depressed. In order for the patient to recover properly, both conditions must be treated.
It uses multiple treatment options.
Psychotherapy
These specialized rehabilitation centers use psychotherapy to help improve the mental state of the patient. Some people abuse drugs or alcohol because of deep-lying hurts that were experienced in the past. The psychotherapy helps uncover and address the issues that the person may be trying to soothe through intoxication.
Drug Therapy
Overcoming an addiction is not just a mental battle. Your body can become physically addicted to the substances you ingest, and once the substances are no longer being supplied to your system, terrible withdrawal symptoms, such as pain, nausea, shaking, paranoia and irritability, may ensue. Dual diagnosis centers offer non-addictive drugs to help soothe the symptoms of withdrawal.
Diet and Exercise
When your nutritional needs are not met, it is more difficult for your body to heal. The treatment plans at dual diagnosis treatment centers often include nutritional counseling and daily exercise to help your body quickly reach a higher state of health and balance.
If you or a loved one needs treatment for a substance abuse problem, dual diagnosis treatment may be able to help. Contact a drug rehab treatment facility in your area today to learn more about this form of rehabilitation.
