Man enjoying treatment at a dual diagnosis treatment centerNearly half of all people who struggle with a substance abuse disorder, addiction, or alcoholism have a mental health disorder. When you have a co-occurring disorder, you have both a substance abuse disorder and a mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis treatment center specializes in providing programs for those that have a co-occurring disorder because it is essential to treat both to recover.

Millions of Americans battle addiction each year. Addiction is a chronic mental health disease that continues to worsen until you seek treatment. During addiction, your tolerance to drugs and alcohol greatly increases. Increased tolerance forces you to use more to feel the same pleasurable effects, which can become a significant financial burden.

Addiction is a Disease

Addiction is a chronic, progressive, and incurable condition that causes you to abuse drugs and alcohol despite experiencing harmful negative consequences or having a strong desire to quit. Also, addiction changes your brain chemistry and can impair your decision-making process. Drugs and alcohol cause your brain to release a rush of pleasurable neurotransmitters. This rush leads to the euphoric emotions and feelings associated with intoxication.

During addiction, your brain’s pleasure and reward center changes. Your brain associates drugs and alcohol with pleasure and rewards your substance use by releasing neurotransmitters. When you don’t use, your brain restricts the release of pleasurable neurotransmitters. Over time, your brain can become dependent on drugs and alcohol to release any neurotransmitters. This causes you to deal with cravings and withdrawal symptoms when you don’t use them.

Addiction and substance abuse disorders can also:

  • Damage relationships
  • Increase your chances of experiencing domestic violence
  • Cause marital and custody issues
  • Lead to financial problems, debt, and inability to pay bills
  • Cause mood and personality changes
  • Diminish your physical and mental health

Co-Occurring Disorders

When you have both a substance abuse disorder and a mental health disorder, you meet the criteria for having a co-occurring disorder. The two conditions can exist simultaneously or one right after the other.

Some of the most common co-occurring mental health disorders a dual diagnosis treatment center sees are:

  • Depression and major depression disorder
  • Anxiety-related disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder
  • Mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder
  • Eating disorders, such as bulimia and anorexia nervosa
  • Trauma-related disorders

We need to treat both conditions for you to recover. Since both mental health and substance abuse disorders cause neurotransmitter imbalances, worsening mental health symptoms can make you more likely to relapse or self-medicate with drugs and/or alcohol. A dual diagnosis treatment center Tennessee offers provides you with access to mental health and addiction treatment specialists to ensure you have the tools and resources necessary to recover.

What is a Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center?

A dual diagnosis program Tennessee provides offers unique programming that addresses both your recovery and mental health needs. Our dual diagnosis treatment program in Tennessee also has psychiatrists on staff, which can be especially helpful if your medications need re-started or adjusted.

A dual diagnosis treatment center also offers:

  • Dialectical and cognitive behavioral therapy
  • Individual counseling
  • Relapse prevention education and planning
  • Medication management
  • Family therapy

A dual diagnosis treatment center focuses on properly diagnosing and treating your mental health problems. Since recovery can cause withdrawal symptoms and mood changes, when you have a mental health disorder, a dual diagnosis program is better prepared to meet your needs.

Reaching Out for Help Today

When you struggle with a substance abuse disorder, drinking problem, or addiction, you can feel overwhelmed, frustrated, and alone. For the nearly 50% of people with a substance abuse disorder who suffer from a co-occurring disorder, reaching out to a dual diagnosis treatment center is the first step towards recovery. Give The Ranch in Tennessee a call today at 1.844.876.7680.