There is a traditional saying on Hawaii’s Big Island that goes, “A’ohe hana nui ke alu ‘ia.” This means that no task is too big when done with others. This is symbolic of what recovery is all about – working with others for a greater good. This includes those individuals looking to recover from a dual diagnosis at the cellular level.
Better Understanding Mental Illness
Millions of people struggle with mental illness every day. This includes millions of people, both in the U.S. and abroad, on all levels of the mental illness spectrum.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), “Mental illnesses are common in the United States and around the world. It is estimated that more than one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness (59.3 million in 2022; 23.1% of the U.S. adult population). Mental illnesses include many different conditions that vary in degree of severity, ranging from mild to moderate to severe.”
There are many different types of mental illnesses. Perhaps the most common fall under the category of anxiety and depression. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “In 2019, 8.1% of adults aged 18 and over had symptoms of anxiety disorder, 6.5% had symptoms of depressive disorder, and 10.8% had symptoms of anxiety disorder or depressive disorder.” Also, this was before the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is now believed that the numbers are even more staggering. This is also true of addiction statistics.
Better Understanding Addiction
Just like mental illness, addiction affects a massive number of people all around the world every day. This is especially true regarding the opioid epidemic in the U.S. The opioid epidemic is responsible for the largest number of overdose deaths every year in the U.S. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “Nearly 108,000 persons in the U.S. died from drug-involved overdoses in 2022, including from illicit or prescription drugs.” One of the biggest culprits is the synthetic opioid fentanyl.
According to the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the CDC, “[S]ynthetic opioids (like fentanyl) are the primary driver of overdose deaths in the United States. Comparison between 12 months ending January 31, 2020, and the 12 months ending January 31, 2021, during this period, overdose deaths involving opioids rose 38.1 percent.” Also, “Overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids (primarily illicitly manufactured fentanyl) rose 55.6 percent and appear to be the primary driver of the increase in total drug overdose deaths.” These statistics are higher for those individuals who have a dual diagnosis of addiction and mental illness.
A Dual Diagnosis: Better Understanding Co-occurring Disorders
Receiving a dual diagnosis is also known as having comorbidities. This is also more common than many people may think.
According to NIDA, “Many individuals who develop substance use disorders (SUD) are also diagnosed with mental disorders, and vice versa. Multiple national population surveys have found that about half of those who experience a mental illness during their lives will also experience a substance use disorder, and vice versa. Although there are fewer studies on comorbidity among youth, research suggests that adolescents with substance use disorders also have high rates of co-occurring mental illness; over 60 percent of adolescents in community-based substance use disorder treatment programs also meet diagnostic criteria for another mental illness.” It is also important to understand the stigma that these individuals often face.
Many people stigmatize mental illness and addiction by wrongly classifying them. They are diseases. This is important because it takes the burden off the individual (of course, it is on the individual to have the willingness to get well). The person struggling is not doing this intentionally; they are ill and need to get well. It is also important to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of a dual diagnosis. This can help you reach out for help as soon as a problem arises.
The Signs and Symptoms of a Dual Diagnosis
Now, of course, the signs and symptoms of a dual diagnosis are always going to vary based on the individual. However, one can look out for many universal signs and symptoms. The following are just a few of those signs and symptoms of addiction and mental illness:
- Issues with relationships at home
- Losing interest in activities once enjoyed
- Isolating away from family and close friends
- Not being able to stop once starting to drink or use
- Feeling anxious, nervous, or overly “stressed out”
- Experiencing trouble at work or school
- Having trouble with sleep cycles, including sleeping too much and not sleeping enough (hypersomnia and insomnia)
- Feeling overwhelming dread
- Loss of appetite and a lack of care regarding physical appearance and well-being
- Exhibiting excessive mood swings
- Experiencing physical ailments such as headaches, body aches, and gastrointestinal problems
- Having feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and helplessness
- Causing harm to oneself or others
- Having suicidal ideations
Yes, people often minimize addiction and mental illness. However, as one can see, these signs and symptoms are significant and can even be deadly. This is why reaching out for professional help sooner rather than later is vital. Doing so could mean the difference between short-term side effects and long-term consequences. It is also important to understand the underlying root/core causes of a dual diagnosis.
Treating the Root/Core Causes of a Dual Diagnosis
When it comes to treating a dual diagnosis, it is important to treat the underlying issues of mental illness and addiction. This is the negative thinking and emotions that are associated with addiction and mental illness.
Many people are unaware that they struggle with underlying issues. This is because they focus on the manifestations of these root/core causes, which are the surface-level side effects of mental illness and addiction. It is critical that these underlying root/core causes be treated if one wants to heal at the cellular level.
How to Heal at the Cellular Level From a Dual Diagnosis
The key to a healthy, long-term recovery is healing at the cellular level. But what exactly does “healing at the cellular level” really mean? It simply means that to fully recover from the diseases of addiction and mental illness, one must recover all aspects of their capital “S” Self. This includes the physical, mental, emotional, and even spiritual.
Of course, healing at the cellular level takes a lot more than simply recognizing that there is a problem. One must connect to the right recovery center that offers the right types of recovery plans. These plans must follow the outline of a multi-angled approach. This means using as many effective means, methods, and modalities as possible for recovery, including psychedelic therapies.
Utilizing Psychedelic Therapy for Treating a Dual Diagnosis
Many people have diminished psychedelic therapy because they misunderstand how it is utilized. Many people think that psychedelic therapy has to do with illicit substance use. This is simply not the case. It is a very scientific and measured process.
Studies have shown psychedelic therapies to be effective at treating alcohol use disorder (AUD). According to the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ), “Researchers in the 1950s and 1960s studied the use of psychedelic-assisted therapy for the treatment of addictions such as alcohol dependence, some key findings of which were recently reviewed in a meta-analysis that suggested a significant beneficial effect. In renewed clinical research on treating alcohol dependence with psilocybin-assisted therapy, a New Mexico team recruited 10 participants with a diagnosis of active alcohol dependence…. Among the participants who completed the study, the self-reported mean percent drinking days and percent heavy drinking days were reduced by more than half of what had been reported at baseline.”
Utilizing Infusion Therapy for Treating a Dual Diagnosis
Infusion therapy can also be highly beneficial for recovery from a dual diagnosis. This is because it can replenish all the essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that are lacking in individuals early in recovery.
It also ensures that these nutrients get right into the bloodstream for maximum efficacy and efficiency. Infusion therapy can also help to remove free radicals from the body.
This type of therapy has shown many benefits. These benefits include increased vitality and stamina, reduced stress levels, improved physical health, and clearer cognitive processing. Exercise and nutrition can also help with a dual diagnosis.
Utilizing Exercise and Nutrition for Treating a Dual Diagnosis
It may seem obvious, but exercise can be highly beneficial for recovery. This is not just a surface-level “fix” either. It goes deeper, and studies have shown it to be true.
According to the peer-reviewed journal Frontiers in Psychiatry, “Until recently, very few studies had examined the causal influences that mediate this relationship, and it was not clear whether exercise was effective at reducing substance use and abuse. In the past few years, several preclinical studies have revealed that exercise reduces drug self-administration in laboratory animals. These studies have revealed that exercise produces protective effects in procedures designed to model different transitional phases that occur during the development of, and recovery from, a substance use disorder (e.g., acquisition, maintenance, escalation, and relapse/reinstatement of drug use).” Diet can also be highly beneficial for recovery.
An improved diet is critical when it comes to recovering at the cellular level. This is because the nutrient depletion is so staggering when one is in active addiction (and struggling with comorbidities of mental illness). According to the peer-reveiwed journal Nutrition Reviews, “Consistent with the lower intakes of nutrient-dense foods in this population, the intake of the majority of vitamins and minerals, like thiamin, riboflavin, pyridoxine, folate, vitamin D, vitamin C, magnesium, iron, calcium, zinc, copper, and selenium is below the recommended intake. The nutritional imbalance (a higher ratio of macronutrients to micronutrients), indicating higher intakes of empty calories, is strongly associated with drug use.” Holistic healing methods can also add to this new, healthy lifestyle.
Utilizing Holistic Healing Methods for Treating a Dual Diagnosis
Holistic healing methods have many benefits. Of course, these benefits are going to vary depending on many circumstances, but there are many common benefits. The following are just a few of those benefits:
- Finding a better sense of mental balance and clarity
- Helping one connect with others and heal relationships
- Increased positivity and wellness
- A greater focus on mindfulness
- Creates empathy
- Acquiring a better sense of self
- Improved breathing
- Better strength and posture
- Connects individuals with new, relatable people
- Encourages spirituality
- Reduces anxiety and depression
- Can help individuals who struggle with suicidal ideations
As one can see, these benefits are vast and varied. These modalities also work very well with other types of treatment, making them even more valuable to individuals who are seeking a more comprehensive treatment plan. The key is finding the right types of treatments that work together and sticking to them. This includes a wide variety of other holistic modalities.
Utilizing Reiki for Recovery
One should never underestimate the healing power of “touch.” This is the broad basis of Reiki therapy.
According to the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine, “One of the key defining features of Reiki is that the ability to practice is conferred through an ‘attunement’ process and is not dependent on any innate personal healing capability. Attunement is done by a Reiki master, through a series of rituals that are said to open the energy channels of the body. Attunement to first-degree Reiki (Reiki I) confers the ability to treat oneself and others by touch.” Massage therapy also utilizes the healing power of touch.
Utilizing Massage Therapy for Recovery
Many people dismiss massage as strictly a pampering service. This is not the case. When done right, massage therapy can be highly beneficial and can ultimately help one to heal at the cellular level. Also, more people use massage therapy in their recovery plan than many people may know.
According to the Journal of Life Long Learning in Psychiatry, “Not surprisingly, similar to the findings about the use of complementary and alternative therapies for the treatment of depressive symptoms, massage and other complementary and alternative therapies are frequently used to treat symptoms of anxiety by the general population as well as by individuals with a host of different medical conditions. In fact, 43% of people who were treated in the National Institutes of Health–funded Coordinated Anxiety and Learning Management study reported using some type of complementary and alternative treatment for their anxiety disorder.” Many of these people also utilize sound therapy for recovery.
Utilizing Sound Therapy for Recovery
Sound therapy can be highly beneficial for recovery from a dual diagnosis. This is because sound and music have been shown to have many healing properties.
So, how does music therapy work? According to The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, “The music therapy process is potentially well‐positioned to meet the needs of people in substance abuse treatment. Within each music therapy session, interactions between the therapist and participant are designed to ‘motivate and sustain the client’s engagement in the therapeutic music process’ and to move them closer to therapeutic goals. Furthermore, sessions and music therapy approaches are sequenced over time in direct relation to the participant’s needs and readiness, building upon their resources and introducing therapeutic challenges when appropriate.”
This last aspect of “building upon resources” is critical because it reminds us that a recovery plan should focus on much more than one type of recovery modality. So, sound therapy should be a supplemental therapy rather than a primary one. The foundational therapy should almost always be “evidence-based.”
Healing at the Cellular Level With Exclusive Hawaii Rehab™
Here at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab™, we believe in healing at the cellular level. We also believe in long-term success over short-term “fixes.” This is why all of our recovery plans are individualized and comprehensive, with a focus on the future. This includes our recovery plans for those clients with a dual diagnosis.
There is another famous traditional Hawaiian saying that goes, “I mua, I mua a lanakila.” It means that we must always be moving forward to victory. This is what recovery is all about – forward momentum and teamwork.
If you are sick and tired of being sick and tired, then the time for recovery is now, and there may be no better place for that recovery than right here on the Hamakua Coast of Hawaii’s Big Island. You can do this! We can help.
Many people struggle with dual diagnoses. These people often don’t get the help that they need because they don’t connect with the right recovery experts. It is important to treat a dual diagnosis as soon as possible at the right recovery center. This is how you can heal at the cellular level. If you feel like you or a loved one is struggling with issues of mental illness, addiction, or a dual diagnosis, we can help get you on the right road to recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. For more information about recovering from a dual diagnosis, please reach out to Exclusive Hawaii Rehab™ today at (808) 775-0200.
