What is dual diagnosis treatment?

Dual diagnosis treatment refers to integrated care that simultaneously addresses both a substance use disorder and a co-occurring mental health condition through coordinated therapeutic and medical interventions.

What happens during the intake process at a dual diagnosis center?

During intake, clinicians conduct a comprehensive assessment of substance use history and mental health symptoms to determine appropriate therapies, need for detoxification, and individualized treatment planning.

What types of therapies are commonly used in dual diagnosis programs?

Treatment typically includes individual therapy, group counseling, and psychiatric care tailored to both addiction and mental health, often using evidence-based modalities to develop coping skills and address underlying issues.

What is relapse prevention and aftercare in dual diagnosis treatment?

Relapse prevention focuses on identifying triggers, building coping strategies, and developing a long-term plan, while aftercare may include ongoing therapy, medication management, and referrals to outpatient or support resources.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Sherman Oaks

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Mental health and addiction are often linked. Some people begin abusing drugs and alcohol to cope with an underlying mental health condition. When you have a mental illness and addiction at the same time, this is known as a co-occurring disorder.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 21.5 million people struggle with co-occurring disorders in the United States.[1]

Having mental health issues can complicate substance use disorders, making the symptoms of both conditions worse. As a result, you need to receive treatment for mental health and addiction at the same time. Thankfully, dual-diagnosis rehab centers were created for this reason.

If you are considering attending a dual diagnosis rehab in Sherman Oaks, you might be wondering what to expect. These programs combine treatment for drug and alcohol addiction with mental health recovery services. You’ll participate in an in-depth assessment, medical detox, individual therapy, group counseling, relapse prevention, and receive psychiatric medications as needed.

In this article, you will learn:

What does a dual diagnosis rehab center treat?
Why do co-occurring disorders need to be treated at the same time?
What should you expect during dual diagnosis treatment in Sherman Oaks?

What Do Dual Diagnosis Programs Treat?

Dual-diagnosis treatment centers provide treatment for drug and alcohol addiction as well as mental health disorders. No matter what type of substance you are addicted to, a dual diagnosis rehab can help you recover. Additionally, these programs usually address all types of mental health conditions.

The most common mental health disorders treated in dual diagnosis centers include:

Depression
Anxiety disorders
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Bipolar disorder
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Personality disorders
Eating disorders
And more!

More often than not, dual-diagnosis treatment programs are inpatient or residential. Because recovery from co-occurring disorders can be complicated, it is best to be living in a facility where you can receive 24/7 support during the early days of recovery.

How Does Dual Diagnosis Rehab in Sherman Oaks Work?

If you are looking for mental health and addiction treatment in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, you’ve come to the right place. The Healthier Choice Recovery is a dual diagnosis program that can help you recover from mental health and addiction at the same time. Before you commit to our program, you are probably wondering what to expect.

At our dual diagnosis rehab center in Sherman Oaks, CA, you will participate in the following services:

In-Depth Assessment

The first step in a dual diagnosis program is an in-depth assessment. Medical professionals will ask you questions about your physical and mental health as well as your history of substance abuse. The information gathered will be used to determine what treatment options are best for you, including types of therapies, whether you need detox, and how long you should remain in the program.

Medical Detox

Once your individualized treatment plan is created, you will begin medical detox. You cannot begin addressing the psychological aspects of addiction or your mental health condition until the physical effects of substance abuse are treated.

During medical detox, you will be provided with FDA-approved medications that limit withdrawal symptoms and prevent cravings. This keeps you safe, comfortable, and stable throughout the withdrawal phase of recovery. The exact treatment you receive will depend on personal factors like what substance you are dependent on, how long you used it, and more.

Therapy for Addiction and Mental Health

At a mental health and drug rehab in Sherman Oaks, you will participate in both individual therapy and group counseling. Therapy helps you recover from addiction by addressing the root causes of your substance abuse, changing negative patterns of behavior, and developing coping mechanisms to prevent relapse. On the other hand, counseling helps you recover from mental health conditions by learning emotional regulation techniques, uncovering what is causing your symptoms, and finding healthy ways to cope.

Psychiatric Medications

Some mental health conditions cause symptoms that cannot be managed through therapy. This is because your symptoms are being caused by chemical imbalances in your brain. When this occurs, you might need to take daily medication to manage your illness.

Because you are in recovery from addiction, any medication you are prescribed will be non-habit-forming, which means you do not have to worry about relapsing. While taking medication can be scary, sometimes it is one of the most beneficial parts of mental health treatment. Psychiatric medication can make it possible to regain functioning in your daily life and open up opportunities you didn’t know were available to you.

Relapse Prevention and Aftercare

Lastly, dual diagnosis treatment centers offer relapse prevention to ensure you maintain sobriety from drugs and alcohol long-term. Relapse prevention involves identifying potential triggers for relapse, developing healthy coping mechanisms, and making a plan of action to use in case you experience a relapse in the future.

Another vital part of relapse prevention is aftercare programs. Dual-diagnosis treatment facilities offer the following types of aftercare services:

Continued therapy
Medication management
Access to an alumni support group
Referrals to outpatient and sober living programs
Recommendations on local support groups like 12-step meetings
Case management services like vocational training and building other life skills

Get Connected to a Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program in Sherman Oaks

If you or a loved one suffers from co-occurring disorders, it’s time to seek professional help. While recovering from mental health and addiction can be a difficult process, dual diagnosis rehab programs make it possible. At The Healthier Choice Recovery, we offer an individualized and evidence-based approach to dual diagnosis treatment.

References:

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Co-Occurring Disorders and Other Health Conditions

What to Expect at a Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center in Sherman Oaks