man in need of generalized anxiety disorder treatment

Signs of an Anxiety Disorder and Addiction

Anxiety disorders as a group are the most common mental health disorders in the United States. The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that people with an anxiety disorder suffer from a simultaneous substance abuse disorder at twice the general population’s rate. This co-occurrence is, at times, due to self-medication. Other factors like genetics, environmental…

patient learning about a dual diagnosis treatment center

The Purpose of a Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center

Dual diagnosis treatment centers specialize in treating a mental health disorder and a substance abuse disorder simultaneously. Many rehab programs exclusively treat addiction and consider mental health concerns secondary to recovery. Dual diagnosis treatment programs instead focus on the importance of dealing with both issues simultaneously. This method offers the best chances at mental and…

patient beginning mental health treatment

Does Mental Health Treatment Come Before Addiction Treatment?

Many people struggle with mental health and addiction at the same time. In these situations, people have co-occurring disorders. At face value, it may seem best to treat mental health and addiction separately, and for decades, that was the norm. Practitioners would address a mental health disorder and move on to dealing with addiction after…

woman gets dual diagnosis for addiction recovery

What Treatments Are a Part of Dual Diagnosis?

Dual diagnosis treatment is a program that treats addiction and a co-occurring mental health disorder at the same time. This treatment option is in contrast to the historical norm, sequential treatment. In sequential treatment, patients received treatment for only their addiction before a treatment program addressed a co-occurring disorder such as depression. Unfortunately, that method…

young adult gets dual diagnosis treatment

How Dual Diagnosis Treatment Benefits Young Adults

Young adulthood is a period of emotional, biological, and mental development. It also is the life stage that sees the onset of mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and mood swings. The enormous change, matched with growing independence, that young adults often experience sometimes results in exposure to addictive substances. Exposure can…

man celebrates mental health awareness

The Importance of Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Month. The event, sponsored by the National Alliance of Mental Illness, encourages people to spend some time thinking about their mental health and what they may be able to do to support others who need it. Raising mental health awareness is critical due to the ongoing stigma that often leads people…