Men who struggle with substance use issues may also have a co-occurring mental health condition that causes or worsens alcohol and drug abuse. Inversely, substance use can also lead to mental health issues or worsen existing issues. However, men seek help for their mental health less often than any other demographic. Our team at Recover Integrity has worked to reduce the stigma and offers quality addiction treatment for men and mental health services at our dual diagnosis treatment center in Los Angeles.
Our facility in Los Angeles, California, provides varying levels of care for various substance abuse issues as well as mental health disorders. If you’re having difficulty with substance use or experiencing mental and emotional problems, Recover Integrity can help you regain control over your life.
What is Dual Diagnosis Treatment?
![dual diagnosis treatment center](/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/AdobeStock_305713112-1-300x200.jpg")
Dual diagnosis treatment is a program that addresses mental health disorders and substance use disorders that are co-existing. Co-occurring disorders are quite common and dual diagnosis is the most effective treatment for such conditions. This is because substance abuse and mental health conditions have a direct effect on each other and oftentimes, one condition is contributing to the other. Our dual diagnosis treatment center in Los Angeles treats both substance abuse symptoms and mental health symptoms simultaneously with evidence-based therapies. We can also provide medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders and mental health disorders if needed.
What To Expect During Dual Diagnosis Treatment
While being treated in our dual diagnosis treatment center, individuals can expect to start with a comprehensive assessment, where our clinical team will determine what the co-occurring disorders are and what treatments should follow. Dual-diagnosis treatment programs for men provide an integrated treatment that includes individual therapy, group therapy, and psychoeducation. Here’s what you can expect from each aspect of our dual diagnosis program for men in Los Angeles:
Comprehensive Assessment: Dual diagnosis treatment begins with a thorough evaluation to assess the individual’s mental health condition, substance use patterns, and any other relevant factors. This assessment helps the treatment team develop an individualized treatment plan.
Integrated Treatment: Integrated treatment is a key feature of dual diagnosis programs. It involves addressing both mental health and substance use disorders simultaneously rather than treating them separately. This approach recognizes the interconnected nature of these conditions and aims to provide holistic care.
Medication Management: If appropriate, medications may be prescribed for mental health disorder treatment and cravings associated with substance use disorders. A psychiatrist or medical professional closely monitors medication usage and adjusts the treatment plan as needed.
Individual Therapy: One-on-one therapy sessions with a licensed therapist or counselor are a fundamental component of dual diagnosis treatment. Individual therapy for men may focus on addressing underlying issues contributing to both mental health and substance use disorders, developing coping skills, and promoting relapse prevention.
Group Therapy: Group therapy offers a supportive environment where individuals can share their experiences, learn from others, and receive feedback. These sessions provide a sense of community, reduce feelings of isolation, and help individuals develop interpersonal skills.
Psychoeducation: Education about mental health, addiction, and the relationship between the two is a crucial aspect of dual diagnosis treatment. Individuals learn about the impact of substances on mental health, the importance of self-care, coping strategies, and relapse prevention techniques.
Behavioral Therapies: Evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) are commonly used in dual diagnosis treatment. These therapies help individuals identify and change unhealthy patterns of thinking and behavior, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and set goals for recovery.
What Does Dual Diagnosis Help Treat?
Dual diagnosis treats any co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. This includes if multiple substances are being abused or if two or more mental health disorders exist simultaneously. Dual diagnosis recognizes that mental health and substance use issues are interconnected and treats the underlying issues as well as the symptoms of both substance abuse and mental health conditions.
Dual diagnosis can treat all substance use disorders and mental health disorders, such as:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
- Personality Disorders
- Bipolar Disorder
- OCD
- ADHD
- Psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder
- Marijuana and substance-induced psychosis
- Sociopathy
- Trauma and Complex Trauma
Why Do Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Disorders Co-occur?
There are several reasons why substance use disorders and mental health disorders tend to overlap from shared risk factors to brain chemicals. Understanding why disorders co-occur is vital to dual diagnosis treatment, which is why our program includes education on addiction and mental health. Here are some reasons for a dual diagnosis:
Self-Medication: Some individuals with mental health conditions may turn to substance use as a way to self-medicate and alleviate their symptoms. They may use drugs or alcohol to temporarily escape or numb emotional pain, anxiety, depression, or other distressing symptoms associated with their mental health condition.
Neurochemical Factors: Substance use can directly affect the brain’s neurochemical balance, leading to changes in mood, cognition, and behavior. Certain substances can temporarily alleviate or intensify symptoms of mental health disorders by altering neurotransmitter levels, such as dopamine, serotonin, or GABA.
Shared Risk Factors: Mental health conditions and substance use disorders share common risk factors, such as genetic predisposition, environmental factors, childhood trauma, chronic stress, and certain brain chemistry imbalances. These shared risk factors can increase the likelihood of developing both conditions simultaneously.
Dual Vulnerability: Some individuals may possess a dual vulnerability, meaning they have a heightened susceptibility to developing both mental health conditions and substance use disorders. These vulnerabilities can arise from a combination of genetic, biological, psychological, and environmental factors.
Withdrawal and Dependence: Prolonged substance use can lead to physical and psychological dependence, resulting in withdrawal symptoms when the substance is discontinued. The experience of withdrawal can exacerbate or unmask underlying mental health conditions, making individuals more susceptible to developing or worsening symptoms.
Reinforcement and Conditioning: Substance use can create powerful reinforcement and conditioning mechanisms that perpetuate the cycle of addiction. The pleasurable effects of substances can reinforce substance use behaviors, making it difficult for individuals to discontinue use despite negative consequences. This reinforcement can interfere with mental health treatment and recovery efforts.
Benefits of Dual Diagnosis Treatment
If you have co-occurring disorders, dual diagnosis is the most effective treatment. Dual diagnosis treatment programs also offer these benefits:
