Have you ever wondered why your life feels like a constant juggling act between your mental health and, well, everything else? You’re not alone. Over 20 million people in the US struggle with a dual-diagnosis. Addiction is hard enough to handle, let alone a co-occurring mental health issue on top of it. It’s overwhelming.
That’s where dual diagnosis treatment comes in. It’s designed for people dealing with both at the same time, and it’s especially impactful for young adults who might feel stuck in a spiral with no clear way out.
A dual diagnosis—also known as a co-occurring disorder—means that someone has both a mental health condition (think depression, anxiety, or PTSD) and a substance use disorder. These two issues don’t just coexist; they feed off each other. You might drink a lot to deal with your anxiety but over time the booze makes your anxiety worse. It’s a nasty cycle that’s tough to break without help.
Imagine your engine has an oil leak. You could continually fill it up with oil but you’re never dealing with the core issue i.e. why the engine is leaking oil in the first place. Until you fix the engine, you’ll be stuck in a loop of filling up the oil and watching it leak out. Dual diagnosis treatment fixes the engine and tops it off with oil for smooth running in the long-term.
Young adulthood is a weird, transitional phase. You’re in this strange limbo of not being a full-fledged adult but you’re also not a kid anymore. It’s a period of life full of change and it’s stressful.
Maybe you’re navigating college, a new job, or figuring out relationships. Throw mental health challenges or substance use into the mix, and it’s easy to feel like everything’s spiraling out of control.
Young adults also tend to process emotions and cope differently than older adults. That’s why dual diagnosis treatment programs specifically tailored for this age group can be so effective. They get it. They know you’re not just battling addiction or depression—you’re figuring out your whole life.
Dual diagnosis treatment is a combination of therapies and approaches designed to address both mental health and substance use. Here’s what you can typically expect:
Integrated Care
This simply means mental health professionals and addiction specialists work together as a team. Instead of treating your anxiety in one place and your substance use somewhere else, everything happens under one roof. This makes a huge difference when both issues are connected.
Therapy (Lots of It)
You’ll likely engage in different types of therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps you identify and change thought patterns that aren’t serving you well. Dialectical behavior therapy helps with emotional regulation and developing healthier coping skills. And group therapy provides you with a space to connect with your peers who’ve gone through similar experiences. We all need someone to relate to.
Medication Management
Sometimes, medication can help stabilize mental health symptoms so you can focus on recovery. This isn’t about turning you into a zombie; it’s about giving your brain the support it needs to heal.
Life Skills Training
Knowing how to budget your finances, grocery shop and cook, or even just show up to appointments can feel like going into battle when you’re struggling with your mental health. Programs often include practical life skills to set you up for life after treatment.
Maybe you’re wondering if your struggles qualify as “serious enough” for treatment. More often than not, they probably do. You don’t have to hit rock bottom to get help. In fact, catching issues early can save you a world of pain down the line.
Ask yourself:
If you’re nodding along, it might be time to explore dual diagnosis treatment.
Deciding to get help isn’t easy. All of us at Monument Recovery have been in your shoes. Our staff are in long-term recovery and know what it’s like to take that leap into the unknown and ask for help. We also know how freeing it is on the other side of fear.
So if you’re standing at that crossroads, wondering if treatment is worth it, here’s your answer: You’re worth it. So reach out today and start building your best life.