Most people who are suffering from a substance use disorder undermine the psychological aspect of addiction. When focusing on SUD, people forget the fact that addiction is either a cause of mental illness or, sometimes, it is also the other way around.
Both mental illness and substance use disorder are correlated. However, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, only 7% of the individuals receive treatment for both problems. If you are unaware of the fact that SUD and mental illness are co-occurring problems, here is everything you need to know:
How Are Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorder Related?
If you are someone who is addicted to substances, you are probably suffering from one or the other mental illness as well. In this situation, without addressing the psychological aspect of addiction, it is impossible to “just start living a clean life.” This is why it is important to opt for a Partial Hospitalization Program that focuses on substance abuse and its impact on mental illness.
People who are addicted to drugs or alcohol often deal with bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety. This is known as a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder. Continuous consumption of addictive substances alters the functioning of the brain. When one consumes any form of drugs or alcohol, there is an instant release of dopamine. Dopamine is a hormone that makes a human being feel happy, elated, and relaxed. However, once the effect of dopamine wears off, the person starts craving the dopamine hit once again. This is how a person becomes addicted to a substance. Although this may look harmless in the beginning, a continuous hit of dopamine changes the brain chemistry and makes the addict suffer from mental illnesses.
Here, you must know that people suffering from mental illness are also more prone to substance abuse. Suffering from a mental illness makes you more susceptible to SUD. People often take drugs or alcohol as a medium to deal with an unhealthy state of mind. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, nearly 50% of adults who suffer from mental illness are also victims of substance use disorder.
Hence, it is important to deal with both conditions simultaneously if you want an effective solution.
What Are the Most Successful Methods Used For Co-Occurring Disorders?
When a person suffers from a co-occurring disorder, the first step that they must take is to enroll themselves in a partial hospitalization program. Co-occurring disorders are complex, which is why the patient must be given effective guidance. So, how does a PHP program approach co-occurring disorders? Let us find out:
1. Take Proactive Steps To Stop the Consumption of Addictive Substances:
This step involves a detoxification plan where the patient practices complete restraint from the substance they are addicted to. Under the PHP program, when the patient is going through the detoxification plan, they are kept under close supervision of medical experts for the next 24 hours to a week. Keeping the patient under close supervision helps them overcome the withdrawal symptoms effectively.
2. Provide Different Therapies To Tackle the Psychological Aspect of Addiction:
Several therapies have been introduced to the patient to fight co-occurring disorders. These therapies take into account the psychological aspect of the addiction.
Take, for example, cognitive behavioral therapy that helps the patient change their thinking pattern. Another example is dialectical behavioral therapy, which is used to deal with self-harming behavior, such as suicidal thoughts, that is very common among people suffering from co-occurring disorders.
3. Offer Medication To Deal With Both the Problems
Now, medicines work as a band-aid that provides temporary relief to the patient. However, it surely is an effective way to deal with the discomfort that comes with mental illness and substance use disorder. For instance, bupropion is an FDA-approved drug that helps deal with both depression and nicotine addiction.
Conclusion:
If you are someone dealing with a co-occurring disorder, it is difficult to express how you are feeling to your loved ones. Loneliness during this time can make your situation worse. This is the reason why it is important to seek medical help. A partial hospitalization program will help you successfully deal with the problem while providing you with guidance on how you can continuously work towards making your life better.
