Addiction can stem from a multitude of internal and external factors, including the kind of environment you grew up in and whether your family has a history of substance abuse. Another common contributing factor to developing a substance use disorder is untreated mental illness. Frequently, the symptoms of an unmanaged mental health condition lead to self-medication through drugs and alcohol, causing the development of an addiction.

If you have both an addiction and mental illness, this is known as having co-occurring disorders. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 21.5 million adults struggle with co-occurring disorders in the United States.[1]

When you have co-occurring mental illness and addiction, you need to receive integrative treatment for both conditions at the same time to reduce your chances of experiencing a relapse later on. Dual-diagnosis treatment centers offer a comprehensive treatment approach that addresses co-occurring disorders efficiently.

In Charlotte, North Carolina, dual diagnosis rehabs use a multitude of evidence-based treatment services to ensure you achieve long-term recovery.

How Does Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Charlotte Work?

Dual diagnosis treatment is a combination of addiction and mental health treatment that helps you recover from co-occurring disorders. You will engage in recovery techniques for substance use disorders and mental health issues at the same time, increasing your ability to maintain recovery from both of your conditions.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Assessments

Treatment begins with an in-depth assessment. An addiction counselor will ask you questions about your substance abuse to gather a better understanding of your needs during treatment. A mental health expert will also conduct a mental health assessment. These assessments allow the staff members to create an individualized treatment plan based on your needs.

Medical Detox

Before you can begin recovering emotionally and psychologically, you need to become physically stable. If you haven’t detoxed already or your assessment determines detox is needed, you’ll stay in a detox program before transitioning to the next portion of care.

During detox, nurses will monitor your vital signs, doctors will prescribe medications to control withdrawal symptoms, ensuring your comfort and safety.

Carolina Center for Recovery accepts many major insurance providers, including:

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Behavioral Therapies

Behavioral therapies are used to treat both addiction and mental health disorders like depression. You will participate in both individual counseling and group therapy. Individual sessions are often used for working through sensitive topics like childhood trauma, while group counseling is ideal for learning coping mechanisms and developing healthy communication skills.

Examples of behavioral therapies used during dual diagnosis rehab in Charlotte include:[2]

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• Motivational interviewing (MI)
• Contingency management (CM)
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
• 12-step facilitation therapy
• The matrix model
• Family behavior therapy

Medication Management

You might need medication during your time in dual diagnosis treatment. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is often used to treat opioid or alcohol addiction. Medications can help manage cravings and prevent relapse.

Additionally, many mental health conditions require psychiatric medications to alleviate symptoms.

Relapse Prevention and Aftercare

Relapse prevention planning is extremely important to addiction recovery. You will work with your therapist to identify your triggers for relapse. Additionally, you will learn healthy coping mechanisms to make a relapse less likely.

Aftercare is a vital aspect of relapse prevention and management of mental health conditions.[3] Aftercare refers to continued care beyond a dual diagnosis treatment program, such as:

• Continued therapy
• Medication management
• Access to an alumni support group
• Referrals to outpatient or sober living programs
• Recommendations on local support groups
• Case management services like vocational assistance

Start Your Recovery at our Charlotte Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program

If you or a loved one suffers from co-occurring disorders, it’s time to seek help. Carolina Center for Recovery is here to help you recover from both addiction and mental health. Our dual diagnosis rehab center in Charlotte provides evidence-based settings in an exclusive, supportive environment conducive to long-term recovery.

We are committed to delivering the personalized care you deserve. Recognizing that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to addiction, we tailor our approach to meet the unique needs of each individual. Whether you’re seeking support for yourself or a loved one, you can trust that you’ll receive personalized attention and support every step of the way.

To learn more about our programs or get started with a confidential, risk-free assessment, please contact us today.

References:

1. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Co-Occurring Disorders and Other Health Conditions
2. National Institute of Health (NIH): Integrated Treatment of Substance Use and Psychiatric Disorders
3. National Institute of Health (NIH): Co-Occurring Disorders in Substance Abuse Treatment: Issues and Prospects