Addiction and mental illness are often co-occurring problems. Just as living with an untreated mental health disorder increases your risk of developing an addiction, living with an untreated substance use disorder leaves you more vulnerable to mental health issues.
To put it another way — mental illness can be an impetus or an enabler to addiction (and vice versa), and the only way to effectively treat either one is through an integrated approach that addresses both issues at the same time.
As licensed mental health experts who specialize in addiction treatment, the team at Wasatch Recovery Treatment Center offers dual diagnosis therapy (DDT) for patients who are ready to gain the upper hand over mental illness as they work to recover from addiction.
Let’s explore the different types of mental health treatments used in conjunction with addiction recovery and how each one can help you heal, grow, and thrive.
DDT is a vital element of addiction recovery for anyone who suffers from a co-occurring mental health condition like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The goal of DDT is to help you free yourself from the intertwined bonds of addiction and mental illness. By giving you more effective coping mechanisms, DDT helps you heal, find your balance, and rediscover your power.
Far from being a one-size-fits-all treatment, DDT is a highly individual process that begins with a full diagnosis. An accurate diagnosis is the first step in determining which treatment options are best for you.
Integrated treatment for co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders relies on various evidence-based practices and therapies. Essentially, DDT views addiction recovery and mental health care as two sides of the same coin.
Addiction recovery may involve receiving:
Patients often take part in more than one form of recovery treatment.
Depending on your diagnosis as well as your individual needs, your treatment plan may also incorporate one or more of the following mental health treatments:
Also known as talk therapy, this highly utilized approach involves having regular discussions with a mental health professional in a safe and confidential environment. Talking about your problems with a therapist in a one-on-one setting can be a very effective way to explore and understand your feelings and behaviors, so you can develop effective coping skills.
CBT is a short-term, structured form of psychotherapy that explores habitual thoughts and behaviors that occur “in the here and now.” First, CBT aims to help you recognize the negative thought patterns that lead to counterproductive behaviors and adverse emotions. Then, it gives you the tools you need to take control of your narrative.
Initially used to help people suffering from depression, CBT has been expanded and tailored for the treatment of anxiety disorders (including phobias, PTSD, and OCD), eating disorders, sleep disorders, and of course, addiction to alcohol and drugs.
For many people who take part in a DDT program at Wasatch Recovery, structured treatment often centers on daily small group therapy sessions and psycho-educational classes.
Group therapy encourages you to address specific issues and consequences related to your addiction, including mental illness. It also teaches you how to develop stronger interpersonal relationships, elicit support from family and friends, and give and receive feedback from your peers.
This alternative treatment approach is a complementary form of mental health care that uses experience through action to help you reorient your point of view. Healthy group activities aim to help you learn that you don’t need alcohol or drugs to find enjoyment or fulfillment.
Individual experiential treatment involves taking part in activities that help you strengthen your inner self, such as exercise, yoga, meditation, or journaling.
Contact us today to learn more about the treatment philosophy at Wasatch Recovery. We have a residential location in Cottonwood Heights, Utah, and an outpatient and sober living facility in East Sandy, Utah.
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