Addiction and mental health are very connected. Some addictive substances only create dependence and tolerance in the brain while others change some of the brain’s structure and functionality. Some of the areas affected in the brain include those associated with decision-making, judgment, memory, and behavior control.
In some instances, mental health issues such as depression and anxiety can contribute to addiction. If you’re struggling with a mental health illness, you may be driven to addiction in an attempt at self-medication or drowning out your symptoms.
When an individual is struggling with both addiction and a mental health disorder, it’s termed a dual diagnosis or a co-occurring illness. Research has shown that such cases respond better to long-term addiction treatment as opposed to short-term care.
If you’re looking for addiction treatment for someone with a dual diagnosis, your best bet would be to refer them to inpatient or residential treatment as opposed to outpatient rehab or intensive outpatient care.
Some of the benefits of inpatient care for a patient dealing with addiction and mental health issues include:
A personalized approach to treatment
Inpatient treatment allows rehab facilities to provide a more individualized treatment plan. This can start right from the detox stage all through to aftercare. This gives individuals with a dual diagnosis more attention and time to work on their mental health at their own pace.
A structured environment for stability
Dealing with a co-occurring illness often takes its toll and it’s no surprise when you find that your life lacks structure. The scheduled regimen at a residential treatment program can give your life stability which you can then use to reestablish yourself.
No distractions or interference from the outside world
Living at a rehab facility allows you to immerse yourself in your treatment and recovery without distractions. The stressors that affected you in your daily life are gone, leaving you free to recover your mental health and work on rebuilding your life.
More time for long-lasting changes
It can take time to learn and implement new healthier habits in your life and being in a residential program can help with this. Since most of these programs run from a month to a year, you can work on the coping skills and life skills you are learning in the course of your treatment.
Enough time to build a support community
With inpatient treatment, you’ll interact with the same group of people during group therapy and other group activities. This gives you ample time to bond with others who understand what you’re going through. Seeing others experience the guilt, shame, and trauma of addiction can foster a sense of belonging and promote your mental well-being. If you or your loved one is struggling with addiction, contact the Robert Alexander Center for Recovery and we’ll be glad to help you in your recovery journey.