What Are Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers Massachusetts?

Dual diagnosis treatment centers in Massachusetts specialize in treating individuals who are dealing with co-occurring disorders – addiction and a mental health condition. This type of comprehensive treatment program offers integrated care that addresses the complexities of dual diagnosis, providing a coordinated approach to therapy and medication-assisted treatment.

What Is a Co-Occurring Disorder?

Co-occurring disorders, also known as dual diagnosis disorders, arise when an individual receives a diagnosis for both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder simultaneously. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, roughly 21.5 million adults in the U.S. have a co-occurring disorder.

Recognizing and diagnosing these disorders can be challenging, primarily because the symptoms of mental illnesses and addiction often overlap. As a result, one of these conditions may frequently go undiagnosed, impeding the recovery process.

We Accept Most Insurance

We Accept Most Insurance

We accept most health insurance plans to cover the costs of addiction treatment and mental health care. We believe that financial concerns should never stand in the way of the transformative support you deserve.
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How a Mental Health Disorder and Substance Abuse Impact Each Other

Mental illness and substance use are often deeply interconnected. When someone has a mental health disorder, the mental health condition can significantly impact the likelihood of addiction as well as how they experience it. Here are some of the most common ways mental disorders and a substance use disorder affect each other:

Self-Medication

Those coping with mental illness might turn to drugs and alcohol in an attempt to self-medicate – to alleviate major depressive disorder, anxiety, mood swings, insomnia, or other symptoms stemming from their condition. Individuals may feel relief by using substances, but it can ultimately lead to dependency and withdrawal symptoms, making the mental health condition worse.

Exacerbation of Symptoms

Substance usage can exacerbate the underlying mental health conditions and its symptoms. Over time, this typically leads to escalated use as individuals attempt to counteract these heightened negative feelings that come from using substances while dealing with a mental disorder.

Altered Brain Chemistry

Drugs and alcohol can alter brain chemistry and exacerbate mental health disorders by disrupting neurotransmitters responsible for mood regulation, like dopamine or serotonin. These alterations may contribute to increased cravings for substances and also intensify the psychiatric symptoms.

Barrier to Effective Treatment

When dealing with a mental health disorder and addiction concurrently, it can be more challenging for individuals to seek and sustain effective addiction and mental health treatment. Substance use might mask or alter psychiatric symptoms, leading to misdiagnosis or inadequate treatment. It is essential for healthcare providers to offer integrated mental health and substance abuse treatment, addressing both issues holistically rather than in isolation.

Common Mental Health Disorder Treated in a Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center

Certain mental health disorders are more likely to co-occur with a substance abuse disorder, making it imperative for mental health professionals to recognize and treat co-occurring disorders effectively. Among the mental health disorders frequently treated with addiction at dual diagnosis treatment centers in Massachusetts are:

  • Depression: Chronic feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest in daily activities can be both a primary mental health symptom and a result of alcohol and drug abuse.
  • Anxiety Disorders: Persistent and excessive worry, fear, and panic attacks can stem from social anxiety disorder or a more generalized anxiety disorder, and they can also be triggered or worsened by substance use.
  • Borderline Personality Disorder: This is a condition where individuals have difficulty regulating emotions and maintaining stable relationships. Substance use often arises as a coping mechanism for the symptoms of this disorder.
  • Schizophrenia: Individuals with schizophrenia may turn to substance abuse as an attempt to alleviate distressing symptoms like hallucinations or delusions. This can complicate their overall condition and necessitate specialized mental health and addiction treatment.
  • Anorexia: People with anorexia nervosa often experience intense anxiety and body image issues. To manage their emotional distress, they may resort to drug or alcohol use.
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Trauma survivors with posttraumatic stress disorder might use substances to self-medicate and escape from the distressing memories and emotions associated with their traumatic experiences.
  • Bipolar Disorder: Individuals with bipolar disorder may misuse substances to manage extreme mood swings and find relief from depressive or manic episodes, which can exacerbate their mental health and physical health concerns.

Addressing these co-occurring disorders requires a nuanced approach that considers mental health and substance abuse treatments. Seek help from dual diagnosis treatment centers in Massachusetts if you need help.

We understand that getting help for addiction can be challenging. Start with a free addiction assessment today.

We understand that getting help for addiction can be challenging. Start with a free addiction assessment today.

Substance Abuse and Mental Illness Treatment Programs Offered at Elevate Recovery Center

Our dual diagnosis treatment center in Massachusetts offers a variety of dual diagnosis treatment program options tailored to meet the unique needs of individuals seeking addiction recovery.

These programs include a partial hospitalization program (PHP), intensive outpatient programs (IOP), and standard outpatient programs (OP).

Partial Hospitalization Dual Diagnosis Treatment Programs: Our PHP provides intensive care and support for those needing structured treatment. It offers a step-down option from residential treatment while still providing a high level of therapeutic intervention. Trauma-focused therapy is an essential part of this dual diagnosis treatment program.

Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program: Intensive outpatient programs (IOP) are an option for those with manageable symptoms or individuals who have completed higher levels of care. An intensive outpatient program focuses on individual and group therapy, as well as education about addiction and mental illness.

Standard Outpatient Addiction and Mental Health Treatment Programs: Our standard outpatient program is a less intensive option suitable for those who have progressed in their recovery journey but still require ongoing support and therapy to support relapse prevention.

With the expertise of our treatment team of addiction specialists, medical doctors, and counselors, we provide dual diagnosis treatment and integrated care that addresses both the physical and mental aspects of addiction and substance use disorders. 

How Are Co-occurring Disorders Treated at Your Drug and Alcohol Rehab Center?

At our addiction treatment and dual diagnosis treatment centers in Massachusetts, we understand that co-occurring disorders require comprehensive care. Below are some of the evidence-based therapies we offer at Elevate Recovery Center:

Individual Therapy

In individual therapy sessions, clients work one-on-one with a therapist to discuss personal struggles related to their addiction and mental health problems. This allows clients to explore the underlying causes of their addiction or mental health struggles and focus on learning coping skills to handle both issues in a more productive way.

Group Therapy Sessions

Our programs also include group therapy to provide peer support in a setting where clients can share their experiences and learn and practice new skills within a safe environment. Group therapy helps break down feelings of isolation by showing patients that they aren’t alone and connecting them with others going through similar challenges.

Family Therapy Sessions

We recognize that addiction and mental health struggles impact the entire family unit and how individuals interact with each other. It’s important for families to learn how to support their loved ones and to build a support network at home. Family therapy also provides a space for family members to express their concerns and work on improving the relationship.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an essential aspect of all our therapy types. This method addresses harmful thought patterns that influence behaviors. Through CBT, clients learn to recognize triggers for drug or alcohol use and mental health symptoms. They then work on strategies to change those thoughts and make healthier behavior choices moving forward.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

We also utilize dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), which is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy that emphasizes the psychosocial aspects of treatment. DBT helps those clients who experience intense emotions and provides them with skills to help regulate their feelings and improve relationships. The goal is to help them manage distress without falling back on harmful habits.

Medication Management

For many clients with co-occurring disorders, proper medication management can be critical to deal with symptoms and remain healthy. In our facility, careful medication management is administered by experienced healthcare professionals, ensuring that the medication prescribed to treat mental health disorders does not adversely interact with addiction recovery processes.

Our healthcare professionals supervise the basic medical care and treatment of our clients and make necessary adjustments over time.

If you’re dealing with co-occurring disorders, the behavioral therapies and comprehensive treatment options at our dual diagnosis treatment centers in Massachusetts provide the support you need to navigate a successful recovery journey.

Contact Elevate Recovery Center for More Information on Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers in Massachusetts

At Elevate Recovery Center, we understand the challenges individuals and their families face, and our team is committed to offering the resources and expertise needed to begin the path to healing.

Seeking help is a courageous step, and choosing our dual diagnosis treatment centers in Massachusetts as your partner in this journey is a significant milestone toward a healthier and brighter future. If you’re ready to seek help, call (877) 592-2102 or complete our online contact form and get started with a thorough evaluation to determine the most appropriate personalized treatment plan.

If you need inpatient treatment before starting at our facility, we will connect you with a treatment center.