Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Harrisburg, PA

Doctors usually warn their patients of complications to watch out for. Cardiologists tell their patients about how uncontrolled hypertension might lead to liver damage or renal failure one day, and orthopedic doctors warn patients with rheumatoid arthritis about the possibility of anemia, depression and stroke. When a person with depression, anxiety or bipolar visits a psychiatrist, however, it isn't often that they receive advice on how to stay away from substance abuse. It would be a good idea, however; 7 out of 10 of those who suffer from serious mental disorders turn to substance abuse; mental disorders can be a strong indicator of a tendency towards addictive behavior. Such conditions are known as dual diagnosis addictions. When they exist, it isn't wise to ignore either condition. It's important to treat these disorders through a common treatment approach. It is the approach used at this center for dual diagnosis treatment in Harrisburg, PA.

Mental Disorders Often Bring on Substance Abuse

Mental disorders tend to create a tortured mental environment for patients. Whether it is the sadness and loss of purpose seen in depression, the constant stress and insomnia of anxiety, or the extreme confusion and auditory hallucinations of schizophrenia, mental disorders mean a very difficult life.

There are other reasons why substance abuse is often seen in those with mental disorders. Many commonly used drugs directly act on the very brain circuits that mental disorders affect. To patients, these addictive substances turn out to actually offer short-term relief from symptoms; in the beginning, at least, on a subconscious level, they see their habit as beneficial.

Mental disorders often also come along with psychological disorders -- low self-esteem, anger issues, emotional flatness, an inability to get along with people and a need for instant gratification. With these psychological distortions adding to difficulties brought on by the psychiatric disorders, patients are often overwhelmed. Often, the solace offered by substance abuse proves irresistible at first. Once they start, their mental condition usually means that they simply do not possess the self-control needed to stop.

Concurrent psychiatric and psychological issues are a significant reason why attempts at conventional addiction rehab often fail.

How Are Dual Diagnosis Conditions Treated?

While the science involved in the treatment of dual diagnosis conditions has been in currency for two decades, it is still not a part of the treatment protocol used at most rehabs. When it is, rehabs usually offer older, less effective versions.

Offering treatment for dual diagnosis conditions can be challenging to clinicians who do not possess specific training. The fact that addiction and psychiatric conditions come with very similar symptoms is one part of the problem. The other part is that mental disorders rob addicts of motivation, self-discipline and other qualities needed to successfully participate in addiction treatment in Harrisburg.

Treatment can be particularly challenging with patients who suffer from advanced mental disorders. In many cases, patients arrive at a treatment center even as they refuse to quit. It takes experts at dual diagnosis psychiatry and addiction treatment to offer help. A team of experts studies the patient, and identifies the ways in which a certain amount of psychiatric treatment may be offered with the patient's permission, to get them to the point where they are able to cooperate.

Drug detox in Harrisburg is planned, executed and overseen by teams of psychiatrists and addiction specialists to ensure that complexities are addressed. Caregivers for dual diagnosis treatment in Harrisburg possess special expertise to help patients who come in with suicidal thoughts, or violent tendencies. They have considerable training in emotionally assisting such patients. These skills can offer patients an invaluable boost of courage and hope.

Dual diagnosis for treatment is always properly done in a medically managed residential setting. While it can be more expensive than outpatient treatment, it offers the kind of care and monitoring that is really needed.

Making the Right Rehab Choice

Most rehabs are not equipped to identify dual diagnosis cases, leave alone treat them. When a patient with such condition comes by, they simply ignore the psychiatric complication. To ensure that this doesn't happen with you, it's important that you choose rehab that does come with considerable dual diagnosis experience. Call this rehab for dual diagnosis treatment in Harrisburg, PA, if you'd like to speak to experts. It can help you make a better choice. Call now for help at (877) 804-1531.