Healing the Core of Addiction Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center in Hawaii

Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center in Hawaii

Substance abuse rehabs didn’t have the most consistent success percentages in the past. It wasn’t uncommon for many clients to complete rehab only to return – sometimes more than once – after suffering from a relapse.

Is this because the facilities were inefficient or the professionals working there were unsatisfactory? The answer is no.

The primary reason for the increases in efficiency of substance abuse treatment centers is the changes in the approaches these organizations take to treating addiction. Past forms of treatment focused on treating addiction as a moral issue or the actual root of the problem.

Evidence Based Practices for Recovery from Co-Occurring Disorders

However, as more clinical studies and further research has surfaced regarding substance abuse, the reality of the situation is becoming more apparent. The truth is that most substance abuse disorders have some type of mental health challenge at their core.

Understanding and being diagnosed with this condition is what’s known as a dual-diagnosis or co-occurring disorder. Dual-diagnosis treatment paves the way for higher success levels, and fewer relapse cases after treatment is complete.

What Is Dual Diagnosis?

Someone with a dual diagnosis suffers from mental health disorder and co-occurring substance abuse issues. Usually, the mental health disorder is the driving force behind the substance abuse, even if the client is unaware of the presence of the former.

The user may first begin using drugs or alcohol recreationally. However, at some point, after the mental health disorder manifests somehow, they realize that self-medication helps with the negative symptoms of their condition (even if they are unaware of its presence still).

This quickly spirals into dependency and full-blown addiction as the individual needs more and more of the drug to achieve the desired effects. Eventually, the drug becomes the primary focus of the user’s life, and they begin to neglect other critical elements that require attention.

Someone suffering from dual-diagnosis issues must be mindful of where they attend treatment. Not every rehab facility provides therapy for dual-diagnosis challenges.

What Is a Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center?

A dual-diagnosis treatment center is a rehab facility that specializes in co-occurring disorders. These facilities often use multiple forms of treatment in combination with one another.

Additionally, there’s a heavy focus on group recovery meetings and peer therapy as well. Alternative forms of treatment that include holistic options are also frequently incorporated in dual diagnosis treatment centers.

There are specific indicators or pre-existing events that can lead to the presence of co-occurring disorders. Understanding these risk factors can help identify the potential existence of a dual diagnosis issue.

Risk Factors for Co-Occurring Disorders

Several risk factors exist for co-occurring disorders. Events such as the following often lead to dual diagnosis challenges:

• Having a family history of substance abuse or genetic history of addiction in your family can increase the odds of eventually developing a co-occurring disorder.
• Any family history of mental illness also significantly increases the odds of developing a co-occurring disorder.
• Prenatal exposure to certain illegal substances and toxins has been shown to play a role in developing dual diagnosis.
• Men are more likely to suffer from and need treatment for dual diagnosis.
• People with self-esteem issues or challenges with their self-image are usually good candidates for dual-diagnosis treatment.

How do you know if you or someone you love needs dual diagnosis treatment? Certain signs exist you can look for that may alert you to the fact that dual diagnosis treatment could be an option.

What Are the Signs Someone Needs a Dual Diagnosis Approach?

The following signs could all point to the fact that someone needs a dual-diagnosis approach to substance abuse and mental health:

• Anyone who suffers from substance abuse issues and participated in rehab in the past but continues to relapse
• Anyone who is diagnosed with a mental health disorder and develops a substance abuse issue
• Someone who has issues with substance abuse and displays signs of depression, anxiety, or other mental health challenges
• Anyone that you believe or verbally confesses that they use to numb the pain of depression or other issues
• Someone who has been diagnosed with a co-occurring disorder in the past (eating disorder and another mental health disorder, for example)
• Someone who has an issue with substance abuse and has a family history of mental health disorders or vice-versa
• Anyone who suffers from a substance abuse problem in solitude and makes a conscious effort to hide it
• Someone that is considered a high-functioning addict

Anyone demonstrating any of these characteristics considering substance abuse treatment must be educated regarding dual-diagnosis treatment. Otherwise, older, more conventional substance abuse treatment methods might not be as effective.

Why Do Dual Diagnoses Not Get Treated Effectively?

In the past, many people suffering from substance abuse issues and mental health challenges had difficulty receiving treatment for both in one location. The two were readily available separately but not as part of the same regimen and treatment plan in one facility.

This is what’s made dual diagnoses so challenging to treat. If clients receive treatment for one disorder and not the other, the chances of long-term recovery are much lower.

For example, if someone with a substance abuse issue is only treated for the addiction portion and not the mental health disorder, they may experience temporary success. However, when signs of the mental health disorder manifest and they’re not educated on coping mechanisms, relapse is often the result.

This also works both ways. If someone is treated for their mental health disorder but continues to abuse drugs in private, the mental health treatment won’t be as effective because of the role drugs play in the client’s mind.

Are Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers Hard to Find?

In the past, it was challenging to find locations that had treatment options for dual diagnosis and co-occurring disorders. It wasn’t uncommon for many clients to travel thousands of miles to the other side of the country to attend an appropriate facility.

However, with more attention placed on the mental health/substance abuse connection, these facilities are more readily available. As time goes on and this treatment proves to be an effective and sustainable form of treatment, more facilities are likely to make dual diagnosis a part of their program.

What Are the Treatment Options for Dual Diagnosis?

Treatment for dual diagnosis can be complex because of the many elements associated with both disorders. Targeting mental health disorders and substance abuse issues means focusing on multiple areas of the client’s behavior and life in general.

Certain behaviors and symptoms are targeted, such as positive attitude, impulse control, and others. This means elements of behavioral therapy are incorporated, as well as rewards-based forms of treatment. Many rehab facilities combine these with a holistic approach, combined with traditional activities like group recovery meetings and other activities.

Healthy coping mechanisms must be incorporated into the treatment as well. The self-medication element of anyone with co-occurring disorders is a significant hurdle to cross during therapy, and finding coping strategies helps to shift this activity.

Dual Diagnosis and the Risks of Self-Medicating

Many people suffering from dual diagnosis issues commonly use substance abuse to self-medicate for their underlying mental challenges. This often begins with the client being unaware of the action they’re participating in.

Because of this lack of awareness, a considerable challenge is presented during recovery. Often, clients go through years of substance abuse without realizing they’re self-medicating.

After great lengths of time, the act becomes almost involuntary, and the way the brain’s coping mechanisms operate becomes completely restructured. This is why the combination of treatments is necessary to approach dual diagnosis from multiple angles.

Imagine the source of the client’s problems existing as a small circle – or a center, if you will. On top of this center, you have layers and layers of negative elements – bad habits, learned behaviors, conditioning challenges, broken coping mechanisms – and these all must be dealt with layer by layer to get to the source of the problem.

This is what makes self-medicating for a mental health disorder so dangerous. However, this also highlights the importance of dual-diagnosis treatment. The increasing availability of this therapy provides many people with the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.

Although the forms of treatment used are the primary catalysts for recovery, other elements are in place that is conducive to long-term success.

The Premier Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center in Hawaii

People often forget the importance of having a peaceful and private environment around them to promote higher odds of success during treatment. However, evidence has proven time and time again that an individual’s atmosphere has a profound effect on mental and physical wellness.

At Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, all critical elements come together to form the perfect recipe for recovery from dual diagnosis challenges. We provide the traditional scientific and medical approaches to co-occurring disorders – but we also incorporate a holistic element into our client’s personalized treatment plan.

Combine these elements with the beautiful backdrop of the Hawaiian Islands and compassionate, professional staff, and you have all of the ingredients for successful recovery. On top of all of these advantages, clients also benefit from our top-of-the-line bed arrangements, with personal rooms for complete privacy.

When clients can experience a high level of comfort and amenities like delicious, healthy meals with their treatment, the mind and body are more receptive to therapeutic approaches.

Additional activities for dual-diagnosis clients include art therapy, yoga, water healing, and other natural approaches and outlets. We’ve helped hundreds of clients achieve success in ways they never thought were possible.

Long-Term Recovery from Dual Diagnosis Is Possible

It isn’t easy to see a positive ending when you’re dealing with two challenges like a mental health disorder and a substance abuse issue. However, long-term recovery from dual diagnosis is possible with the right treatment team and a focus on healing.

With a personalized treatment plan and quality staff, Exclusive Hawaii Rehab will help guide you on a personal journey to recovery. You’ll receive the highest quality of care each day you’re in treatment and a map after you graduate.

Your environment after rehab is just as important as the treatment itself, and this is something the staff at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab understands. We’ll ensure you’re equipped with the right tools and resources to remain proactive in your recovery long after your time with us is finished.

If you or someone you know is potentially suffering from a co-occurring disorder or displays the need for dual diagnosis treatment, we’re here to help. Contact a member of our Intake Coordination staff to find out about our program and availability today.