How Do Dual-Diagnosis Programs Work?

People addicted to drugs and alcohol may suffer from underlying mental health conditions leading to them becoming addicted and exacerbating their substance use. Studies have shown that 60% of young adults in treatment programs for substance use disorder (SUD) also meet the criteria for another mental health condition. Receiving a dual diagnosis can be overwhelming. However, treating your mental health and SUD at the same time is not only doable but necessary to ensure you make a full recovery.

If both conditions are not simultaneously treated, they can both continue to exacerbate each other. Here at Vanity Wellness, we are committed to ensuring that we treat you as a whole person. For us, this means taking a deep dive into who you are so we can accurately determine what we can do to help you live a happier and healthier life. In order to do this, it is vital that we treat both your SUD and your mental health condition using targeted therapies, medications, and other interventions.

Step One: Understanding the Individual

Everyone is more than their addiction. There are often life events that are traumatic that lead people to develop mental health conditions and substance use disorders. Some examples of these kinds of traumatic events include first responders experiencing tragedy at work, losing a loved one, undergoing a severe injury, and sexual assault. These life events affect everyone differently, and each person will develop different ways of coping with these traumatic situations.

When someone does not receive treatment for traumatic events, they can develop negative thinking patterns and destructive behaviors that can result in exacerbated mental health issues and the development of SUD. Understanding what happened to you and how that event continues to affect you will help us better understand what mental health conditions you may be facing in tandem with your SUD. Additionally, it will help us to evaluate what level of care you need to ensure you have a successful recovery.

Step Two: Diagnosis and Treatment

We know that no two people are the same, and their treatment plans should not be either. After we get to know you, our team of expert staff will diagnose you and develop a treatment plan to tackle both your SUD and any underlying mental health conditions. Depending on your specific needs, you will receive different therapies and medications that will assist you while you are in recovery and working on your mental health. Some of the medicines and treatments you may experience while at Vanity Wellness may include:

• Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): MAT is when trained medical providers use medications to help you detox and ease withdrawal symptoms. Providers may also prescribe you medicines to help reduce the symptoms of your mental health condition.
• Individual, Group, and Family Therapy: Individual, group, and family therapy will allow you to talk to a counselor about your struggles in a safe place one-on-one or with peers and loved ones to help you develop a support system and a better sense of self.
• Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT): MBCT uses mindfulness techniques such as yoga and mediation to help identify emotions without judgment. Learning to experience your life without judging yourself is key to bettering mental health and overcoming substance abuse.
• Recreation and Exercise: We believe treatment should be more than doctors and therapists; we believe in holistic treatment. Located in California, we have access to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country and the tools and resources to participate in just about any hobby you can imagine. Experiencing the beautiful and fun side of life is crucial to recovery. After all, you can’t feel good about life if you aren’t doing things that allow you to enjoy it.

We have dozens of treatment options to ensure that you receive the care you need to make a full recovery. However, we understand that as you go through treatment, you may find that part of the treatment plan doesn’t meet your needs. Also, we understand that your needs may change as you pass milestones in your recovery. Here at Vanity Wellness, we are your team. Treatment should be a collaborative process as it is your experience, and we will continue to adapt your treatment plan as you grow.

Step 3: Aftercare

Recovery doesn’t end after you leave treatment. You will still be learning new things about yourself and reintegrating into a mainstream lifestyle without drugs or alcohol. Our goal at Vanity Wellness is to connect you with and help rebuild relationships with peers, family, and friends that can help cheer you on as you leave treatment. However, we recognize that some people may need extra support when they leave treatment. Luckily, we have access to a wide variety of long-term treatment options that fit a diversity of needs, schedules, and lifestyles.

Whether it is a sober living home or continued outpatient therapy for mental health and substance abuse, we will be able to connect you with the tools and resources that you need to continue tackling your mental health and SUD after you leave treatment.