Substance abuse treatment is most effective when a complete diagnosis is made. In some cases, a person may have a mental illness in addition to their substance abuse issue. An outpatient drug treatment program or rehab for substance abuse will be able to address issues related to a person’s addiction. If a person has a dual diagnosis in place, substance abuse treatment will be accompanied by counseling and additional therapy options that will address the mental health issues as well.
Outpatient Drug Treatment Programs for Patients With a Dual Diagnosis
There are several different drug treatment programs that can address a dual diagnosis. Treatment options include detoxification programs that eliminate the drugs and toxins from the patient’s system. Once the detox has been completed, the doctors will have a better idea as to the severity of the patient’s mental health issues.
Although most of the detox process is associated with an inpatient treatment program, many patients are allowed to return home and continue their treatment on an outpatient basis. As the patient continues to address their substance abuse issues, the necessary treatment for their mental illness will also be integrated into the mix providing them with everything they need to complete the recovery process.
Rehab For Substance Abuse
Rehab for substance abuse involves learning what triggers a person’s desire to use drugs. Identifying these triggers and taking the necessary steps to avoid being exposed to them is an important part of the recovery process. The patient must admit they have a problem and actively participate in their own recovery program if they expect it to be successful.
Having a dual diagnosis simply means that in addition to the substance abuse rehab treatment options, mental health treatment will be integrated into the program. This makes it possible for both issues to be equally addressed during treatment.
Dealing With a Dual Diagnosis
With any type of substance abuse treatment program, either inpatient or outpatient, a dual diagnosis requires that both issues be addressed during treatment. An integrated treatment plan must be customized according to the needs of each patient. No two people will respond to treatment the same way. Outpatient drug rehab centers are capable of personalizing treatment plans once the patient is drug-free and ready to move forward with the rest of their recovery program.
A treatment plan that includes treatment options for both mental health and drug addiction may take longer to complete. In the end, however, the patient will receive a more complete treatment plan that addresses both issues and how they may affect with one another.
In certain cases, a patient who is recovering from drug addiction may also be diagnosed with a mental illness. When this occurs, a mental health treatment plan must be integrated with the substance abuse treatment plan so that both conditions are equally addressed. Because of the influence, a mental illness has on a patient’s ability to recover from addiction, treatment programs must be developed that are tailored to each person’s specific needs.
During the evaluation process, all aspects of the patient’s health will be considered. The treatment for a dual diagnosis will include options that fully address the patient’s medical needs on every level, physical, mental, and emotional. The treatment plan will be carefully monitored and adjusted as the patient moves forward through the recovery process.
