Gathering a support network, getting your finances in order, practicing self-care, and setting new goals are just a few of the many ways to help you get your life back on track. There may be a few bumps in the road, but staying positive and continuing to grow will only benefit you in the long run. If you’re wondering what’s next, below are four helpful ways to start fresh and continue on your sobriety journey.

Gather a Support Network

Building a supportive network of people around you is one of the best ways to help you stay accountable. Whether you navigated outpatient or inpatient treatment, you more than likely had support from others in the same program. After treatment, it may be more challenging to face the triggers, stressors, and temptations alone. This is why it’s crucial to have a supportive group of people that you can trust and lean on.

Before you took the steps to gain back control of your life, you may have not had the best circle of friends. If they’re not supportive of your recovery, you may want to consider finding a new group of friends that are trustworthy and cheer you on. Making amends with those you’ve hurt is also a great step in your sobriety journey. When struggling with your sobriety the most, you might want to consider exploring resources to help you through the tough times. A great resource to download is a sobriety app as an additional tool for strengthening your recovery commitment and assisting you during your weak points. This interactive app helps reduce relapse and allows you to monitor your success along with personal development. The last thing you want is to be alone during tough times, so building a supportive circle and finding the necessary tools to help you is key.

Get Your Finances in Order

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, drugs interfere with the way neurons send, receive, and process signals via neurotransmitters. Drugs can alter important brain areas that are necessary for life-sustaining functions and can drive the compulsive drug use that marks addiction. For this reason, people may spend most or all of their money purchasing drugs or alcohol.

When starting over, learning how to be financially stable and smart with your money is vital. Start by creating a weekly and monthly budget. This could include things like groceries, transportation, hobbies, and entertainment. Monthly items to include in your budget are insurance, phone bills, subscriptions, debt you might owe, and rent or mortgage payments. If your current living situation is not helping your sobriety, you may want to consider moving to a new place. This can feel overwhelming especially if your current financial situation is not the best. Start by being realistic about what you can afford. The first step is to estimate how much you can afford to pay for a house. To determine your price range, enter your location, yearly income, monthly debts, and how much money you have for the down payment and closing costs into a mortgage calculator. Knowing your budget and sticking to it will make the process of searching for a new home much easier. The last thing you need is to add more stressors to your daily life, so getting your finances in order is important to help you become more financially responsible.

Practice Self-Care

Now that you’re sober, it’s important to find new ways to keep yourself motivated, nurtured, and happy. Practicing self-care is one of the most beneficial things you can do in your sobriety journey. It’s also a great way to help you prioritize your mental and physical health. Eating healthy, getting plenty of rest, and setting new routines for yourself are all great ways to help your physical and mental health. You should also explore new hobbies that you enjoy, such as yoga, painting, music, baking, cooking, reading, or journaling. Journaling for your mental health is a great way to write down your feelings, thoughts, and worries to help you better understand them more clearly. It can also help you gain back control of your emotions and improve your health.

To avoid temptations, try avoiding social gatherings or outings for a while. Instead, do things for yourself such as cooking a nice meal, going for a walk, watching a new series, or taking a relaxing bath. Prioritizing yourself is the first step to taking care of yourself and taking back control of your life.

Set and Accomplish New Goals

To help hold yourself accountable, try setting goals to accomplish and big milestones to work towards. By having something in your life to look forward to, you’ll feel a sense of achievement and accomplishment once you get close to reaching your goals. Bucket lists are also a great way to keep yourself motivated by working towards exciting things that you hope to do someday. Although you may want to achieve every goal right away, it’s important to take each day one step at a time. Accomplishments won’t just happen overnight and will take time to work towards. Although things take time, don’t forget to celebrate every accomplishment with your support network, loved ones, or even find a group celebration location near you.

For more help with your recovery management, find a sober coach to help guide and improve the quality of your life.

I have been sober from alcohol for 6 years and I also have a mental health and addictions nursing background. Alcohol addiction runs in my family in a very serious way. I’d say I know a few things about alcohol addiction and how it affects our physical and mental health. I not only lived it, but I helped other people live through it as well.

One thing I repeatedly see in online discussions about alcohol abuse is that somehow, the person who abuses alcohol brought it on themselves or deserves their afflictions because they continue to drink heavily. There’s also a misconception that heavy drinking and “alcoholism” are somehow not the same. Many people who drink heavily will accuse other heavy drinkers of not being able to control their drinking. It’s a really strange manifestation of the denial often inherent in alcohol misuse. Hence, there is a lot of blame and criticism of those who are labeled an “alcoholic.”

The truth is, alcoholism and heavy drinking are not that different from each other. Often, we make ourselves believe that heavy drinking is normal if we are somehow able to function — meaning we can hold down a job, maintain a home, and look after our basic needs. The truth is, heavy drinking is still alcohol misuse which is the same as alcoholism. The difference is how entrenched the drinking becomes, which may have more serious consequences on our lives.

Some people can drink heavily and still feel confident they are managing their lives despite the many ways that their drinking proves to be problematic. Heavy drinking affects relationships, productivity, family life, physical health, and mental health. Labelling someone an “alcoholic” that can’t control their habit and thus they are a “bad” person, does nothing to further healing for alcohol addictions and misuse.

So let’s be honest shall we? Heavy drinking and alcoholism are within the same sphere and neither label makes the person who engages in alcohol misuse a “bad” person.

We’re not wrong or immoral for abusing a substance that helps us escape the horrors in our lives. The truth is, there are many ways to escape pain and horror, alcohol is just one of them. However, the difference between alcohol and things like doomscrolling, shopping, internet, or whatever we do to escape, is that alcohol can actually kill us. More so, before it kills us, it can ruin our health, mental health, relationships and anything else we care about. Alcohol can disable us and make our lives so much worse.

I advocate not just for abstinence or help for alcohol misuse, but more so, to educate people so they understand their relationship with alcohol better. Because most people have no idea at all how alcohol weaves itself into every fabric of our lives and slowly erodes it. Also, people don’t realize that the way alcohol erodes our lives is through our physical and mental health. And once alcohol has a hold on our brains and emotions, the less capable we are to make good decisions.

We’re not “bad” people for choosing to drink heavily. We just need to understand exactly what we’re getting ourselves into. We also need to know when we’re getting ruined by alcohol. Because as it stands, 107 million people worldwide have an alcohol misuse disorder — this includes everything from slight heavy drinking to very serious alcohol dependence. And while 107 million may seem like a lot, there are many more that likely chose not to report their drinking habits — such is the power of denial in alcohol misuse. Unfortunately, most people are oblivious to the ways that alcohol affects their health and mental health.

The rhetoric around “alcoholics” being bad people who can’t get their drinking under control is actually fueling more heavy drinking that leads to even more deadly consequences. Instead, maybe we can understand that all heavy drinking is designed to mitigate pain and discomfort. Many things are designed to mitigate pain and discomfort. However, not all of them will cause health and mental health issues the way alcohol can.

People in pain will always choose something to self-medicate — be it alcohol or other less dangerous things like playing online games all day. The point is, if we become more familiar with how alcohol causes even more pain, then we are in a better place to make proper decisions. And if we understand that all heavy drinking is problematic, then we can stop trying to demonize some people over others.

The facts are that alcohol causes the following:

• Damages the brain which also hinders decision-making.
• Causes and worsens mental health problems.
• Stops us from processing traumatic events which can lead to our healing.
• Creates a vicious cycle that slowly erodes everything until we are lost to ourselves.
• Can and will cause disability over time.
• Stops us from doing productive things to help our pain and discomfort.
• Doesn’t stop at our personal ruin, instead, it goes on to ruin the lives of those we care about as well.

We’re not “bad” people for drinking heavily, we just need to understand the consequences so we can make informed choices.

I am a former nurse and alcoholic in recovery. My mission is to talk about alcohol and its effect on our health, lives, and relationships. Undoubtedly, most people are aware that alcohol can cause stress and conflict in relationships. However, the general public may not understand the extent. Often, being close to alcoholics can change the relationship dynamic, and it’s essential to know how that works so families can help themselves better.

This article is not about demonizing our alcoholic loved ones, it’s about creating more understanding. I was an alcoholic loved one once, and I understand the dark trap of alcoholism. Our friends and families can’t fix us as much as they wish they could. The best thing to do is to understand the relationship dynamic and help yourself sort through the feelings that come up. This often leads to better decisions to help cope with our alcoholic loved ones.

The following are ways that heavy drinking, or alcoholic drinking, affects relationships. If you relate to these relational dynamics, I encourage you to find a therapist or a support system to help you cope. And know that you are not alone.

Silence/ Denial

Most people have heard about the denial that happens in alcoholism. Still, they rarely do family members reflect on how they are also in denial. Often we don’t want to believe what’s happening, so we block it out. Or, the denial inherent in the alcoholic can make us feel we need to cover things up for ourselves and others too.

The biggest issue that denial brings is silence. Many people feel silenced in their relationship with an alcoholic, bringing a feeling of emptiness and frustration. The relationship can often become inauthentic or tense because important things are not being said. This dynamic often leads to relationship breakdown or serious distance.

Frequent arguments or violence

The effect of alcohol on our nervous system is profound, and it can change our behavior and how we perceive things. At the least, heavy drinking causes a lot of conflicts in relationships leading to arguments. At worst, these arguments can lead to violence.

Most people who drink heavily notice some irritability in the later hours of drinking. However, irritability is most pronounced after the person stops drinking for a while. Frequent heavy drinking causes our nervous system to become very unstable, manifesting as violent behavior in some people. Since alcohol can overwhelm a person’s nervous system, it can be challenging to have a reasonable or calm conversation about complex issues.

Resentment

Unfortunately, silence and frequent arguments can cause resentment to build between the alcoholic and the person they’re in a relationship with. This often fuels more resentment and discord. In some relationships, alcohol may be clearly identified as the problem, but sometimes denial makes it difficult to see that.

It’s important to realize that things can become more challenging once resentment sets in. In this case, therapy, healthy distance, and managing your stress levels may help. Unfortunately, the only thing loved ones can do is support the alcoholic from the side, but they rarely can help them change.

Worsening mental health issues in loved ones

Alcohol is known to cause mental health issues in alcoholics. Still, most people don’t realize that the relational effects of alcoholism can affect the mental health of loved ones as well. Alcoholism can leave family and friends very drained, sad, and overwhelmed, fueling mental health problems. Since mental health issues cause a lot of emotional pain, it can further erode the relationship between the alcoholic and the loved one.

Eventually, it becomes a vicious cycle of alcoholism and mental health problems within the relationship. Once things hit this point, it’s imperative to seek help for oneself. Remember, focus on yourself as you are the only one you can help.

These are issues often seen in relationships between loved ones and their alcoholic family member or friend. Unfortunately, heavy drinking has a strong and negative effect on relationships. We ought to be talking about this more to reduce the silence and increase communication.

Again, this is not about blaming our alcoholic loved ones. Instead, it’s about taking responsibility for our own choices, feelings, reactions, and ability to ask for help. The more that family and friends of alcoholics reach out for support, the better off they will be.

You can also find me on Twitter and Facebook.

Gillian May

Former nurse turned writer. Mental health-addictions-trauma-wellness. Book coming soon! Sign up to my newsletter — https://upbeat-trader-4181.ck.page/839d0ab3f9

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is launching an Office of Recovery, within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, to advance the agency’s commitment to, and support of, recovery for all Americans. September marks National Recovery Month, and in organizing this new office, SAMHSA will now have a dedicated team with a deep understanding of recovery to promote policies, programs and services to those in or seeking recovery.

“We have identified recovery as a crosscutting principle throughout SAMHSA’s policies and programs,” said Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D., the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and the leader of SAMHSA. “In standing up this new office, SAMHSA is committed to growing and expanding recovery support services nationwide.”

Recovery is enhanced by peer-delivered services. These peer support services have proven to be effective as the support, outreach and engagement with new networks help sustain recovery over the long term. Peer services are critical, given the significant workforce shortages in behavioral health. SAMHSA’s new Office of Recovery will promote the involvement of people with lived experience throughout agency and stakeholder activities, foster relationships with internal and external organizations in the mental health and addiction recovery fields and identify health disparities in high-risk and vulnerable populations to ensure equity for support services across the Nation.

“SAMHSA believes in recovery and recognizes the importance of including families, loved ones and allies,” said Assistant Secretary Delphin-Rittmon. “If people are struggling, they don’t need to struggle alone – services and supports are available across the country, which can help people find long-term recovery.”

SAMHSA has a long history of advancing Recovery Support dating back to the 1980s with the Community Support Program and the 1990s, when the first Recovery Community Support Programs were funded. SAMHSA defines recovery as a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives and strive to reach their full potential.

People searching for treatment for mental or substance use disorders can find treatment by visiting https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov or by calling SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Reporters with questions should send inquiries to media@samhsa.hhs.gov.

Substance abuse impacts millions of people around the world, yet there is no clear cause. Addictions form because of a variety of factors, each of which can contribute to the development of substance abuse disorders. By exploring the factors that contribute to this epidemic, it may be easier to seek help or find the best means of treatment for recovery.

Mental Health

Comorbidity is the term given for patients who struggle with both mental health disorders and substance abuse disorders. Unfortunately, this is far more common than individuals may expect. The complications of comorbidity are extensive and can make recovery more challenging.

There is no way to prove whether mental health disorders cause addiction, or whether some individuals are simply more prone to the development of both. Without question, however, the two regularly appear together.

In some cases, individuals struggling with mental health issues aren’t able to get the help and treatment they need. They may not receive medication, therapy or even a diagnosis for things like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or depression. In these cases, individuals can feel lost and frustrated, and they may be more prone to trying or abusing certain substances. As a result, addictions develop in higher numbers than for the general population.

Environmental Factors

Some of the most relevant contributing factors to substance abuse addiction involve the society and environment of origin, as well as where they currently reside. For example, those without proper role models, those who were exposed to addictive substances at a young age or those with limited access to education, support and health care are more likely to develop substance abuse problems in the future.

It is well documented that individuals who try drugs or alcohol at a young age are more likely to develop an addiction. This is, in part, because the brain has not yet fully developed. Using addictive substances when the brain hasn’t yet completely developed means an increase in the development of a dependency.

It is also true that having role models who abstain from excessive alcohol consumption or drug use can go a long way in preventing the same for young people. Children and teens naturally want to copy their immediate elders and those they respect in the community. If substance abuse is rampant among one generation, it is likely that the pattern will be repeated for the next.

Finally, it is vital to remember the importance of adequate health care, education and addiction awareness in communities. Environments where the consequences of addiction are not well publicized in schools, community health centers and doctors offices are environments where addictions are more likely to thrive. Without access to these resources, it can also be more challenging to seek help for substance abuse disorders, mental health or addictions.

Genetic Factors

Substantial research and evidence points to a genetic element in the development of addiction. It is certainly true that addiction can appear to run in families, manifesting itself in one generation after the next. However, in the past this was widely attributed to the environmental and social factors highlighted above.

Today, however, the genetic component is largely considered to be a contributing factor toward the development of addictions and substance abuse disorders. It is believed that certain individuals, by genetic predisposition, are more likely to experience euphoria with drug use. This may mean that they associate pleasurable feelings with the substance sooner, leading to repeat usage.

It is also likely that certain individuals have a hereditary trait that causes the brain, and the entire nervous system, to develop a chemical dependence sooner. This can help explain why when two people try a drug like heroin, only one might become addicted instantly while the other can abstain for months or years without feeling the need to experiment with drug use again.

Trauma

Trauma is often an overlooked contributing factor to the development of an addiction. Individuals who have experienced trauma in their lives are significantly more likely to turn to addictive substances, and therefore are more likely to struggle with addiction.

It is important to define what trauma can be. Trauma can include things like sexual abuse, witnessing a violent crime, experiencing domestic abuse, being neglected in childhood or being a part of a natural disaster. However, trauma is not exclusively limited to these instances. People can and have experienced trauma in a number of different ways.

Trauma, particularly untreated trauma, can cause physical and mental stress. It can lead to feelings of despair as well as hopelessness. Unfortunately, those who experience trauma are more likely to turn to the temporary relief of mind-altering substances, which only worsens negative feelings and can’t offer any true respite.

Personality

This is a more controversial factor, but it should still be addressed. Certain people may be more likely to engage in risky behaviors. These people may, for a myriad of reasons, also be more likely to try drugs or drinking excessively.

Of course, substances with addictive properties lead to addiction. When individuals repeatedly try, use or abuse these substances, it may only be a matter of time before an addiction forms. For instance, a person who aims to experiment with drugs may try a dozen different varieties over a year. Trying 12 different types of drugs will, statistically, be more likely to cause an addiction than a person who is risk-averse and tries one or perhaps no drugs in their lifetime.

Additionally, a risk-taking personality can certainly be combined with any of the factors already discussed above. A person who is prone to risky behavior and also deals with either a history of trauma, a genetic predisposition to addiction, environmental and societal factors or mental health concerns will only be that much more likely to develop an addiction.

There are many different factors that can lead to substance abuse. However, there is only one route for recovery. Sobriety requires professional assistance, medical supervision and a range of treatment methods designed to help aid in recovery and prevent relapse.

The Link Between Mental Health and Addiction

There’s an undeniable link between mental health conditions and addiction. In some studies, more than half of those individuals struggling with addiction also struggle with a mental illness. In addition, half of those who have been diagnosed with a mental illness have had trouble with addiction. Whether mental illness is the cause or a result of addiction, there’s no doubt that these two conditions are intertwined.

Mental health concerns and addiction can be thought of as a chicken-and-egg scenario. In some cases, it’s the mental health condition that appears first. This causes individuals to seek relief, often in the form of drugs or alcohol. Conversely, individuals who struggle with addiction may develop mental health conditions that arise precisely because of their addictions.

Why Dual Diagnosis is Necessary

For anyone who suffers from both a mental health illness and addiction, dual diagnosis should never be optional. This treatment is necessary in order to help patients solve two major problems. Isolating the illnesses and treating them separately won’t be as effective, and it could limit the success of patients in rehab.

Patients who are diagnosed with a mental illness can’t fully benefit from rehab if they are struggling with depression, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia while receiving treatment. Treating addiction patients with mental health problems may be a waste of time if their mental health isn’t properly addressed. Why? Because the patients won’t be able to absorb new information properly or create a realistic plan for recovery and relapse prevention.

Similarly, patients who are receiving therapy, treatment or medication for their mental health disorder can’t make progress if they are also battling an addiction to drugs or alcohol. An addiction alters brain chemistry, so it will be impossible to tell whether treatment is actually successful until patients are able to maintain their sobriety.

Furthermore, there’s evidence to suggest that both mental health problems and addiction can arise from the same source. For example, patients with childhood trauma in their past, or who have served in the military, might be dealing with PTSD. Simultaneously, these experiences might be driving their addictions. By getting to the root of the problem and addressing it head on, patients may be able to resolve both their mental health concerns and their addictions.

Identifying the Need for Dual Diagnosis Treatment

In addition to understanding the importance of dual diagnosis treatment, it’s vital that the patients actually receive the dual diagnosis to begin with. In some cases, mental health issues can go undetected, which can be problematic throughout the addiction recovery process.

To start, it’s important for patients to receive a thorough assessment or evaluation before being admitted into a rehab program for addiction. This assessment shouldn’t focus exclusively on physical health or the pattern of addiction, but should include key questions that can help identify mental health problems. It’s also integral that admissions staff are trained and familiar with mental health disorders, helping them to identify and diagnose key issues that need to be treated.

Identifying the need for dual diagnosis can be improved by knowing which mental health disorders are most common and which are closely connected to addiction. Depression may be one of the most common mental health conditions linked to addiction, but it’s far from the only one. Other common mental health conditions that need to be monitored include things like anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and PTSD.

What to Expect After Receiving a Dual Diagnosis

The only way to receive dual diagnosis treatment and break free from both mental health disorders and addiction is to seek professional help at a reputable rehab facility. When patients receive a dual diagnosis, they can expect treatment to include a number of different elements. Each combines to transform patients into healthy, sober individuals.

A key part of dual diagnosis treatment is receiving 24-hour care. Medical supervision is necessary as those with mental health concerns may be more volatile, and addiction recovery is an already challenging time. In addition, patients may need to take certain medicines that alleviate their symptoms and restore chemical balance in the brain.

In a residential rehab setting, which is considered to be ideal for dual diagnosis treatment, patients will also be able to foster relationships with staff, therapists and other patients. They will have accountability around the clock, individual and group therapies and access to holistic and alternative therapies that can contribute to recovery.

Tailoring Dual Diagnosis Treatment to the Disorder

Often, the kind of treatment required will depend both on the addiction and the specific type of mental disorder. Individuals with an anxiety disorder, for example, may benefit from small group counseling or even one-on-one therapies if the thought of large groups makes them uncomfortable and unable to focus on the key aspects of recovery.

Those with depression may benefit from specific therapies that boost self-esteem, or they may need antidepressants that can lift the fog. Of course, it’s important for physicians prescribing these medications to understand any risks of addiction to prevent any improper use of the medicine. Skill and fitness-based therapies, such as yoga therapy or art therapy, can be helpful in developing confidence and making progress.

Personality disorders, which can include narcissism, histrionic personality disorder or borderline personality disorder, often benefit from dialectical behavioral therapy. These individual therapy sessions target behavioral changes without confrontation or negativity, which can inhibit progress and improvement.

When mental health and addiction are simultaneously present, patients need dual diagnosis treatment. Isolating either mental health or addiction at the risk of the other factor can lead to greater problems down the road. The treatment of co-occurring disorders is vital in helping patients overcome illness successfully, and this treatment can be made available in many respected rehab facilities.

It’s very common for those with mental health problems to begin struggling with addiction, and just as common for those who are addicted to various substances to begin experiencing mental health problems. Therefore, the best addiction treatment will be one that understands the role of dual diagnosis and the clear link between mental health and addiction recovery.

Determining if Dual Diagnosis is Necessary

The first step creating a treatment plan that deals with mental health and addiction is determining whether dual diagnosis truly is necessary. In some cases, patients who are struggling with mental health concerns are only doing so because these symptoms are a side effect of addiction. For instance, patients addicted to strong sedatives may be depressed, but that could be a common symptom of the drug rather than a pre-existing concern.

To determine whether patients are eligible candidates for dual diagnosis treatment, the first step is a complete evaluation upon admission to a detox program. However, this shouldn’t be the only time dual diagnosis is analyzed. After detox, and before rehab begins, is the optimal time to take a closer look at the mental health of patients. Since there won’t be any physical symptoms of drug or alcohol use to contend with at this stage, it will be easier to pinpoint any standalone mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.

Getting a Comprehensive View of Health and Recovery

Patients who begin down the road to recovery are often focused on one goal—getting sober. Achieving and maintaining sobriety is an admirable objective, but focusing on the physical symptoms alone may not be enough. A more comprehensive approach to wellness means taking mental health into consideration as well. Often, that means pinpointing and treating mental health problems in addition to addictive behaviors.

There are many different theories on what links mental health disorders and the frequency of addictive behaviors. Some research suggests that those struggling with mental health disorders, and who aren’t getting the medical help they need, are more likely to turn to drugs or alcohol as a means of self medication. Of course, suffering from addiction is likely to exacerbate the symptoms, making the situation worse.

Conversely, addiction itself can lead to mental health disorders. When individuals become addicted to drugs or alcohol, they can experience feelings like guilt or shame, which can in turn create internal stress and serious mental health problems. In environments where addiction is common, individuals may also be at higher risk for crimes like rape or physical abuse, and that can further increase the likelihood of trauma.

How Dual Diagnosis Can Prevent Relapse

One of the primary objectives of any rehab program is to help patients prevent a relapse. A relapse is anytime that the addictive substance is used again after treatment, and it’s a common problem. However, there are ways to reduce the likelihood of relapse, one of the most effective being dual diagnosis treatment.

A few common triggers for relapse are things like stress, guilt, shame, unhappiness or anger. Many mental health professionals will immediately recognize that these are common emotions among those who also struggle with things like PTSD, anxiety, bipolar disorder and depression.

When patients are dealing with the effects of a mental health problem, relapse is far more likely. When patients receive the right treatment for their mental health challenges, however, they will be more cognitively aware, better prepared and generally more able to fight back against cravings. Dual diagnosis treatment can help patients realize that staying sober is truly the best choice in the long run.

Treating Addiction and Mental Health Disorders Simultaneously

When medical professionals at addiction treatment centers know that patients require attention for both their addictive behavior and their mental health, they can offer simultaneous treatment. Often, this involves some form of prescription medication. Certain medications can lessen or even eliminate the symptoms of mental health problems, such as anxiety. When patients have resolved their mental health issues, they may find that they are no longer as emotionally reliant on their addictive substance of choice.

There are also a number of behavioral therapies that can be effective in treating both addiction and mental health disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy, for instance, seeks to alter behaviors and make positive changes that benefit patients. Dialectical behavioral therapy emphasizes the value of self and helps patients see their worth and why staying sober is something they deserve. Group therapy can also be effective in limiting feelings of isolation and helping patients to understand there are many other people who share their emotions and their experiences.

Revealing the Underlying Causes

Mental health disorders and addiction can be linked through underlying causes, and in some cases triggers may be partially to blame for both. Past trauma, and in particular PTSD, may be the root of some problems. Children who were victims of assault, for example, could grow up with mental health disorders as well as feelings of inadequacy. Or, they may wish to stop reliving painful memories.

In these cases, drug or alcohol abuse is a way for patients with mental health problems to seek peace. In reality, of course, addiction rarely solves a problem, and usually only adds to it. Often, patients with both mental health disorders and problems with addiction can undergo therapy that confronts underlying causes and helps tackle both issues at the same time. EMDR, or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, has shown to be effective for this purpose.

Dual diagnosis is integral for patients in need of addiction treatment who also have mental health concerns. By treating both issues simultaneously, with the goal of comprehensive health, patients are more likely to achieve lasting sobriety and more likely to find happiness, health and fulfillment in daily life.