Addiction is a chronic and relapsing disease – but it is also a disease of the mind. Many refer to addiction as a spiritual malady. Those who suffer from addiction have often undergone some spiritual, mental, and emotional damage, and for long-term sobriety to be achieved, the person must heal comprehensively. This is partially why mental health treatment is so crucial to people who have been struggling with addiction. Additionally, mental illness and substance abuse frequently go hand in hand.
Reasons Why Mental Health Treatment is Vital in Addiction Rehab Centers
Many people who struggle with an untreated mental illness turn to substance use as a means of self-medication. The psychological symptoms they are experiencing are uncomfortable and disruptive; they turn to substance use to alleviate these symptoms. Of course, using chemical substances will only worsen symptoms over time, though using drugs and alcohol might supply temporary relief. If you or someone you love has been struggling with addiction, entering into a long-term program of recovery that includes mental health options is always a good idea.
Range of Mental Health Care Programs at Agape Treatment Center
At Agape Treatment Center, we offer a completely integrated program of care that incorporates mental health services, including an initial psychological assessment, one-on-one meetings with a psychiatric professional, and a range of other dual diagnosis treatment options. Even if you have never been officially diagnosed with a mental illness, there is a good chance that you are struggling with an underlying disorder in addition to your substance abuse disorder. We are dedicated to identifying and treating all underlying disorders and providing our clients with the tools they need to maintain sobriety for years to come. For more information, contact us today.
How Addiction and Mental Health Correlate?
Why is mental health treatment so important to the treatment of substance abuse disorders? As previously mentioned, active addiction and mental health go hand in hand in many ways. In addition to many people who struggle with mental illness turning to substance use, prolonged substance use can result in a wide range of psychological symptoms. The psychological symptoms that result from prolonged drug abuse depend heavily on the type of substance that was being abused.
For example, because alcohol is a depressant, people who abuse alcohol for an extended period often begin struggling with symptoms of depression. People who abuse stimulant drugs like methamphetamine or crack cocaine often develop symptoms associated with anxiety and paranoia. It’s also extremely common for men and women who struggle with addiction to simultaneously struggle with unresolved trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment at Agape Treatment Center
If addiction is treated, but an underlying disorder is not addressed, there is a very good chance that the person will experience a relapse soon after treatment concludes. For relapse to be avoided, a program of aftercare must be in place – in most cases (where dual diagnosis recovery is concerned), this aftercare program also includes follow-up meetings with a psychiatrist and medication management whenever an antipsychotic medication has been prescribed.
Overcome Mental Illness and Substance Abuse Disorder
At Agape Treatment Center, we offer numerous dual diagnosis treatment options for men and women struggling with an underlying mental illness and substance abuse disorder. For sobriety to be maintained, all underlying disorders must be treated simultaneously. In addition to offering psychiatric services, we work to instill in each of our clients the healthy coping mechanisms they need to avoid relapse in the future successfully.
Contact us by phone or via our website to learn more about our recovery program or begin the simple admissions process. Our treatment advisors are standing by around the clock to help get you or your loved one admitted to treatment as quickly as possible.
