Mental disorders are common in the United States and are frequently accompanied by substance abuse. At Georgetown Behavioral Hospital, we recognize that these two disorders are intertwined and need to be treated together. Therefore, along with our Adult Mental Health Program, our Ohio mental health facility offers treatment for any co-occurring substance abuse disorders under our dual diagnosis treatment program. In this way, we are able to accommodate the unique circumstances of each individual and their personal path to mental wellness.
Dual diagnosis refers to the presence of one or more mental health conditions and substance abuse disorders at the same time. Examples of commonly co-occurring disorders include alcohol or drug addiction with:
Dual diagnosis of mental illness and substance abuse is very common. In fact, an estimated 50% of people with mental illness also experience problems with drug or alcohol abuse. The reason why mental health and addictions are related is debatable, but according to the National Institute of Mental Health a few explanations include:
When two disorders present together, the mental health and substance abuse symptoms are combined with one another. Because of this, it is imperative that mental health and addiction are treated together at dual diagnosis treatment centers.
Dual diagnosis treatment is complex and requires expertise in both mental health and substance abuse. Therefore, the best mental health facilities will be versed in dual diagnosis rehab. While there are options in how to approach dual diagnosis treatment, most often a combination of behavioral therapies and medication will be considered. The specific combination of therapies will depend on the symptoms of each individual.
The level of care required for dual diagnosis patients will also depend largely on the individual and the severity of their symptoms. However, given the complicated nature of dual diagnoses, inpatient dual diagnosis treatment is generally recommended.
Benefits of inpatient mental health facilities include:
Not all Ohio mental health facilities are prepared to manage co-occurring ailments. Rest assured at Georgetown Behavioral Hospital, our empathetic staff members specialize in treatment that combines therapies for a patient’s mental illness as well as any and all accompanying substance abuse disorders.
Behavioral health conditions begin with a mental health evaluation and individual assessment. During this process, a member of our experienced care staff will meet with the patient to discuss their personal history, mental state, and concerns. This information will not only be used to assign the patient to the appropriate level of care but will also be used for goal setting and discharge planning.
Discharge planning refers to the process of planning for the life you envision after dual diagnosis treatment. From the very start of your time at Georgetown Behavioral Hospital, we focus on healthy coping mechanisms, relapse prevention plans, and fulfilling your personal vision of recovery.
If addiction is evident during the initial assessment, drug or alcohol detox will follow the initial assessment. Drug detox allows the body to rid itself of substances while the patient is monitored around the clock for safety and comfort. Eliminating any mental or physical drug dependencies will allow the patient to begin focusing on recovering.
This is also the time that any patients experiencing a mental health crisis will be stabilized. Crisis stabilization supports a patient in severe emotional distress until the episode has passed and the person is stable again. Any medications that will assist the person in mental stability will be considered, and a re-evaluation of the medications the person is currently on will also be provided.
Once detox and stabilization are complete, therapeutic treatment of underlying mental illness and root causes of addiction can begin.
Therapeutic modalities are methods of treatment provided by mental health or substance abuse professionals. A few examples of the different types of therapy offered at our mental health facility include:
Georgetown Behavioral Hospital is one of the best inpatient dual diagnosis treatment centers near Cincinnati, Ohio. We commit to providing a full continuum of care, meaning we will support you before, during, and after dual diagnosis treatment at Georgetown Behavioral Hospital.
To learn more about how to start your recovery you contact us online or call our admissions staff at 937-483-4930, oftentimes we can get you admitted on the same day.
You do not have to suffer from mental illness and substance abuse. With Georgetown Behavioral Hospital, you can begin healing today.
While there is still some debate on the topic, it is widely accepted that addiction can be characterized as a medical disease or a mental illness. In fact, addiction is classified as a disease in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–5) labeled Substance Abuse Disorder. The acceptance of addiction as a mental illness is due to the current understanding of how addiction changes the brain. Historically, addiction has been viewed as a choice or as the result of poor decision-making. Presently, it is understood that addiction is driven by chemical imbalances in the brain. This neurotoxicity component of addiction categorizes the condition as a disease. While competing theories of addiction do still exist, the disease model of addiction is widely accepted among practitioners. In short, every mental illness is different. Some mental illnesses appear to run in families, such as depression and bipolar disorder. On the other hand, post-traumatic stress disorder from trauma is situationally based on the traumatic event that the person experienced. In reality, both a person’s genetics and their environment will contribute to their mental wellness (or illness), but neither will guarantee that a mental disorder will develop. Dual diagnosis occurs when someone is experiencing mental illness along with a substance abuse disorder (for example, depression and alcoholism). Dual diagnosis is common and is also referred to as co-occurring disorders. It is highly recommended that when these conditions present at the same time that they are treated together in a dual diagnosis treatment program. This way each disorder can be assessed separately and together in order to determine how one is affecting the other.
