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Where Are Good Dual Diagnosis Centers in Washington State?

two people in a group hug in a dual diagnosis center in washington state

Individuals struggling with substance use disorders, such as the misuse of prescription painkillers, addiction to illicit street drugs, or the abuse of alcohol, already have enough on their plate just dealing with their addiction. But many are also struggling with a serious mental health condition. Rates of depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia are all higher among people living with addiction. Northpoint Washington is a dual diagnosis center in Washington State. Call 888.450.2153 to enroll in dual diagnosis treatment and receive help for addiction and mental health conditions simultaneously.

“Get your loved one the help they need. Our substance use disorder program accepts many health insurance plans.”

What Is a Dual Diagnosis?

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When a person is evaluated as having co-occurring mental and addictive conditions, then they are said to have a “dual diagnosis.” Substance abuse and mental illness are inextricably intertwined. Each condition can be a factor in the development of the other and can worsen the other if left untreated.

Finding the right type of treatment that addresses both addiction and mental health can be challenging.

The Need for Dual Diagnosis Treatment

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Unfortunately, the rate of co-occurring disorders is distressingly high:

  • Half of all people with mental disorders are also addicted to alcohol or drugs.
  • A huge majority of individuals struggling with addiction experienced symptoms of anxiety before they abused substances – 70% of males and 80% of females.
  • Teenagers diagnosed with anxiety have a risk of addiction 3.5 times higher than the general population.
  • Similarly, 53% of females and 43% of males living with addiction experienced depression before they abused substances.
  • Non-abstinent depression patients with comorbid addiction are twice as likely to relapse into depression than those who abstain.
  • Just over half of all male PTSD patients will abuse alcohol, and over a third will abuse drugs. Female PTSD patients have alcohol and drug abuse rates of 28% and 27%.
  • 47% of schizophrenia patients have a co-occurring substance use disorder. This is a rate that is 4.5 times higher than that of people without the condition.
  • Half of all borderline personality disorder patients have a lifetime risk of alcohol abuse, while 38% will suffer from drug dependency.

Here’s the scariest statistic of all—just 12% of individuals with a dual diagnosis will receive proper care for both conditions.

Young People Are At Risk

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Young individuals are at a significant crossroads where the pressures of social integration, academic performance, and self-identity converge. During these formative years, they are more susceptible to experimenting with substances as a means of coping or fitting in, which can lay the groundwork for addictive behaviors.

Furthermore, many mental health disorders begin to manifest during adolescence and young adulthood. The interplay between emerging mental health issues and the vulnerability to substance use poses a heightened risk for dual diagnosis in this demographic.

“Our Residential Program is designed to treat co-occurring disorders and cross addictions.”

What to Look for in a Dual Diagnosis Center

Unfortunately, not all treatment centers are created equal. Some rehabs still use treatment models that are outdated or ineffective. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, there is currently only one recommendation for dual diagnosis – Integrated Treatment for Co-Occurring Disorders (ITCOD).

Integrated Treatment for Co-Occurring Disorders

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Integrated treatment for co-occurring disorders (ITCOD) is a research-proven model of treatment for people with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. “Integrated” means that they are evaluated and treated by the same team of professionals at the same dual diagnosis treatment center at the same time. In other words, both conditions are treated as the primary condition.

Obviously, for treatment to be integrated, there needs to be a great deal of communication and cooperation between the patient, the service providers, and the patient’s support system (family and friends). Everyone works together as a team with a shared philosophy, and the team might include:

  • Psychiatrist/psychologist – Treating the psychiatric disorder
  • Substance abuse counselor – Treating the addictive disorder
  • Therapist – Individual psychotherapy, family counseling, and leading peer groups
  • Medical doctor – Supervising a return to health
  • Nutritionist – Instilling proper eating habits that can reduce cravings
  • Spouse/partner/other family members/sober friends – Providing emotional support
  • Alcoholics/narcotics anonymous sponsor – Nonprofessional recovery support
  • Social worker – Referrals to needed services
  • Child protective services – Helping address parenting issues
  • Judge – Providing alternatives to jail time
  • Probation officer – Providing accountability

A team of people working together toward a return to wellness is a much better option than the outdated treatment models preferred by some treatment centers.

“We treat both addiction and co-occurring disorders and accept many health insurance plans. Take a look at our inpatient program.”

Services to Expect During Dual Diagnosis TreatmentWhere Are There Good Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers in Washington State-07

Treating co-occurring disorders means offering a number of simultaneous services:

  • Individual counseling/psychotherapy – To deal with the way the co-occurring disorders have manifested in your life
  • Peer group therapy – To discuss issues common to people with addiction and mental health issues
  • Couples/family therapy – To repair the damage that addiction and mental health have done to your relationships
  • 12-step fellowship meetings – Hearing the stories of others will give you a source of inspiration and strength
  • Medication for both disorders – To ease cravings, reduce withdrawal symptoms, and stabilize moods
  • Education – To learn more about both conditions
  • Practical life skills – Substituting positive behaviors for negative ones
  • Avoiding triggers – Staying away from the people, places, and things that could lead to relapse
  • Coping mechanisms – Finding positive, productive ways to deal with everyday frustrations
  • Stress reduction – How to reduce or eliminate the leading cause of relapse
  • Overcoming trauma – How to safely reduce stress in ways other than self-medicating
  • Proper nutrition – Healthy eating to repair the damage, stabilize moods, and reduce cravings
  • Exercise program – To boost energy and relieve stress
  • Vocational & housing assistance – How to deal with the specific ways that a personal history of substance abuse can affect your career and your housing options
  • Rejoining society – Making sober friends, dating, and giving back
  • Relapse prevention – How to make a plan to prevent relapse and what to do if relapse does occur

Each service helps to address the complexity of dual diagnosis and provides a path toward lasting recovery. Northpoint Washington’s team at our dual diagnosis center in Washington State is dedicated to providing comprehensive, personalized care that addresses both addiction and mental health simultaneously.

Professional Help Promotes Long-Term Recovery

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If you go to a mental health professional, most do not have the specialized training to handle the co-occurring substance abuse problem. On the other hand, many alcohol or drug treatment centers do not have the training or resources to handle the coal-occurring psychiatric condition. First and foremost, you need to look for a drug and alcohol treatment center that specializes in addressing dual diagnoses. But even then, there are two questions that you must ask in order to find out if they can help you:

Who determines whether or not there is another disorder co-occurring with my addiction?

The answer you want is that you will be evaluated by a licensed and board-certified psychologist, psychiatrist, or medical doctor.

If co-occurring conditions are found, what specific services do you offer?

You want an answer that reflects an integrated, comprehensive list of services. When your treatment plan is integrated, you know that everyone is working together for your benefit. They are cooperating with each other and executing a shared treatment strategy. When your treatment plan is comprehensive, you know that the goal is your total wellness in mind, body, and spirit.

Finding a top-quality dual diagnosis treatment center near you will require a bit of planning and homework, but when you are returned to optimal mental and physical health, your efforts will have been well worth it.

Call Northpoint Washington Now

Our dual diagnosis center in Washington State is highly respected and sought after. Our staff has the training, experience, and resources to help you or your loved one address both the addiction and co-occurring mental health condition simultaneously.

Don’t let a dual diagnosis go untreated any longer. Call 888.450.2153 or complete our online form now to speak with one of our admissions specialists and start on the path toward lasting recovery today.

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where are there good dual diagnosis treatment centers in washington state