which comes first, the substance abuse or the mental health condition?
Either disorder–mental illness or substance abuse–can develop first, but together they can be difficult to treat because the methods and philosophies vary so much between the treatment protocols.
why treating co-occuring disorders is so important.
Dual diagnosis is more common than most people think. Nearly 1/3 of people suffering from a mental illness have abused drugs at some point.
Oftentimes, people experiencing a mental health disorder turn to drugs or alcohol as a form of self-medication. They do this to find temporary relief from their symptoms. However, in almost every case, research indicates that alcohol and drugs intensify the symptoms of these illnesses, and can severely affect the individual’s quality of life.
According to The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), dual diagnosis is a very broad-reaching category. It can range from developing a mild depression because of binge drinking, to severely exacerbating bipolar symptoms when a person abuses methamphetamine during periods of mania.
Because mental illness is so often the root of substance abuse, it is vital to diagnose during addiction treatment. Supporting each patient’s mental health is at the heart of our rehab program and therapy approach.
Our treatment philosphy.
At Northern Arizona Center for Addiction, we believe that healing of the body, mind and spirit are all necessary to overcome substance abuse. We offer a wide range of rehab options in order to facilitate your personal recovery. Our clients can go through drug and alcohol rehabilitation in a safe, comfortable environment, with holistic plans customized to their needs.
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