Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Trenton, NJ

It's possible to see addiction as the toughest challenge that life can bring. Many addicts, the challenge is one of addiction together with a mental disorder. If this seems like extraordinary bad luck, it isn't. Addiction and mental disorder go together so often, many experts consider it a sensible approach to presume the existence of a mental disorder in an addict when attempting treatment. At our center for dual diagnosis treatment in Trenton, we see how often patients and their families are surprised at the complication brought on by a mental disorder, and are unsure of how to deal with it.

The answer, however, is simple — it's important to approach treatment for concurrent disorders together. An attempt to treat one or the other alone results in poor outcomes.

What is Dual Diagnosis?

One in two of those with severe mental illnesses and one in three of those with moderate mental illness turn to addiction. The statistics are no different among those with substance abuse issues.

It isn't hard to see why there is a connection as close between substance abuse and poor mental health — drugs and alcohol directly act on parts of the brain that many mental health conditions affect. Our experts in dual diagnosis treatment in Trenton are of the opinion that to those with mental disorders substance abuse can offer the illusion of relief. Abuse can feel like a form of medication to some.

Don't Treat Your Dual Diagnosis Alone

When an addict turns to substance abuse to help a mental disorder, getting rid of the addiction will leave the disorder untouched. If it was always the primary problem, the addict will still have no real way of dealing with it, and he may turn to substance abuse again.

There is also the problem of maintenance. When an addict quits his habit, there's always the danger that the cravings will return. Those who achieve long-term sobriety engage in therapy to learn better psychological health. For a person who struggles with a mental disorder, the hard work of therapy would simply be impossible.

It Takes Integrated Treatment

Most places that offer addiction treatment are not dual diagnosis treatment centers. One recent study by the Department of Health and Human Services has found that only 1 in 8 dual diagnosis addicts receive treatment specific to their psychiatric conditions.

For successful treatment, it's important for patients and their families to look for dual diagnosis facilities that have proven ability in integrated addiction therapy programs in Trenton by teams of psychiatrists and addiction specialists working together. Studies show that patients at centers which provide dual diagnosis treatment in Trenton have better success rates.

Choosing our inpatient rehab in Trenton can work better for another reason. Addicts with the additional challenge of a mental disorder need close medical attention to ensure that their symptoms are properly recorded and understood. The complications can be much worse.

Seek Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Trenton

It can be very hard for anyone, even professionals, to truly know if an addict has a mental disorder. There's often so much symptom overlap that drawing the line tends to be a challenge. It is always a good idea to go in with the assumption of the existence of a mental disorder.

Studies have found that patients with mental disorders in addition to an addiction fare better when they receive dual diagnosis treatment, than patients who suffer from addiction alone. The reason is that dual diagnosis patients tend to see their addiction as a result of a mental disorder, and feel less destructive guilt for their actions. They also tend to see their addiction as attached to a definite reason, and therefore engage better with it. At our center for dual diagnosis treatment in Trenton, we realize that those who receive only treatment for one or the other illness tend to not be as successful as those with dual diagnosis.

If this information interests you, should have a talk with one of our experts in dual diagnosis for addiction. With access to reliable information, you'll be in a much better position to make the right choices. To get control of your life again, call us today at {{telelphoneformatted}}.