Treating Co-Occurring Disorders: The Benefits of Residential Treatment

1 in 15 U.S. adults grapple with the challenging intersection of a substance use disorder (SUD) and a mental health condition. It’s a struggle that touches many lives, and we understand the complexities that come with it. In nearly a third of these situations, the mental health aspect is deemed severe, which makes recovery even more arduous. If you or a loved one are experiencing an SUD with a co-occurring mental disorder and are seeking information on possible treatment options, this article is for you.

The following provides a brief overview of what you need to know to determine your options for treating co-occurring disorders, with particular attention paid to examining the benefits of residential treatment. Beginning with an overview of the issues people with co-occurring disorders face, this article covers detailed information about the role an integrated inpatient treatment approach can play in the recovery journey.

What Is a Co-Occurring Disorder?

A co-occurring disorder, often referred to as a dual diagnosis or co-morbidity, is present when there is a simultaneous intersection of a mental health disorder and substance misuse. Because people with co-occurring disorders require a different type and level of treatment than someone experiencing addiction alone, it’s important to understand when co-occurring disorders are present. It’s also important to identify what the accompanying mental disorder is so that effective interventions can be pursued.

Typically, people with SUDs and a co-occurring disorder suffer from one or more of the following:

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Bipolar disorder
Borderline personality disorders
Depression
Eating disorders
Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Schizoid Personality Disorder
Schizophrenia
Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Challenges in Treating Co-Occurring Disorders

There is no easy fix when it comes to treating co-occurring disorders. The link between substance use and a mental condition is not always easy to identify. Dual diagnoses are complex, and no two people manifest their substance issues and mental disorders in exactly the same way. What does seem to be universal when it comes to addressing co-occurring disorders, however, is that any type of meaningful healing depends on simultaneously treating both.

Identifying the Signs of Co-Occurring Disorders

Each co-occurring disorder scenario presents its own challenges when it comes to identifying the co-morbidity and designing a treatment protocol to address the relevant issues. For instance, alcohol or drug use often masks the co-occurring mental disorder. People experiencing mental illness will turn to drugs or alcohol to relieve symptoms, which then makes it hard to identify those symptoms in order to diagnose the condition properly. And without a proper diagnosis, it’s impossible to know how to proceed with effective treatment.

This is why it is so important to recognize the signs of co-occurring disorders. Some red flags that could indicate the existence of co-occurring disorders include:

Experiencing episodes of depression or anxiety and using drugs or consuming alcohol as a way to cope
Experiencing drug- or alcohol-related legal troubles, such as arrests for DUI or illegal drug possession
Having issues and upset in relationships with significant others, children, or extended family members and friends
Work absenteeism or other behaviors that adversely affect the ability to earn a living
Behavior and academic problems at school
Withdrawing from social activities and from pursuing relationships with family members and friends

The Role of Residential Co-Occurring Disorders Programs

When considering a residential treatment center for treating co-occurring disorders, look for programs that offer a multi-level approach including the following: robust assessments, multidisciplinary modalities, therapeutic and evidence-based practices, and personalized treatment plans that address care within a holistic framework.

Comprehensive assessment and dual diagnosis. Each patient who enters residential treatment should undergo a comprehensive assessment to determine their particular mental health challenges and how their substance misuse and mental condition intersect.
Integrated and multidisciplinary approaches. Look for treatment centers that take an integrated and multidisciplinary approach, simultaneously addressing medical detox while addressing behavioral issues.
Therapeutic modalities and evidence-based practices. Therapy is an important aspect of a co-occurring disorders recovery. Look for programs that offer evidence-based therapy practices to address your specific issues. These could include cognitive behavior therapy and dialectical behavior therapy, among others.
Holistic care and personalized treatment plans. Holistic Therapy is a type of personalized treatment that views the entire person — mind, body, and spirit — as a singular entity. This form of treatment is used to help people develop a deeper connection with themselves, which can lead to great improvements in their self-esteem and self-awareness. Holistic therapy modalities often include yoga, art therapy, and music therapy.

Benefits of Residential Co-Occurring Disorders Treatment

Because recognizing and treating co-occurring disorders is so challenging, some of the primary reasons people opt to address their issues in a residential treatment setting include the following.

24/7 Structured Environment and Support

Unlike outpatient treatment, when you are in a residential treatment program, you receive a structured environment and support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Many with co-occurring mental disorders find that it’s much easier to stay on track and fully participate in their own recovery when they have this level of guidance, structure, and support.

Peer Support and Community Integration

Living day in and day out with people who are experiencing the same or similar issues is both validating and empowering. When you are in a residential treatment program, you gain strength from both having peer support and offering it to others. Healing in a community environment means that you are surrounded by people who empathize with your journey.

Focus on Relapse Prevention and Long-Term Recovery

The benefits of undergoing an intensive inpatient program include a focus on relapse prevention. The best inpatient treatment programs focus on helping you achieve the self-knowledge and resources you need to address your long-term recovery.

Family Involvement and Aftercare Support

Inpatient treatment holistically addresses family dynamics and sets you up for the support you’ll need after you leave the treatment center. By inviting your family to participate in your healing journey, residential treatment programs set you up for success as you reintegrate back into your family and community and beyond.

How Retreat Behavioral Health Can Help

While treating co-occurring disorders is never easy, it’s clear that there are many benefits to simultaneously addressing addiction and any presenting mental disorders in a residential treatment center setting that offers a holistic approach to recovery. At Retreat Behavioral Health we take a whole-person approach to helping people with co-occurring disorders.

Our inpatient substance use treatment specializes in treating both substance use and mental health disorders. Beginning with a reliable clinical diagnosis from an industry-leading psychiatrist, each patient receives a personalized and customized treatment plan that addresses both their mental health struggles and their substance dependence issues.

To learn more about our residential treatment options contact us online or call us at 1 (855) 859-8808 today.