Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Table of Contents
Our Vision
Our vision includes educating our clients on the root cause of their problems: substance use disorders, mental health and behavioral issues; as well as the solutions for these problems and conditions.
As a clinical team, we understand that our clients may experience challenges with both addiction and mental health. This is called dual diagnosis.
What Is Dual Diagnosis?
Solving The Shortage Of Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers
Sadly, many programs do not intermingle mental health services with treatment for substance use disorders. As a result, the individual may be required to seek two separate treatment methods: one for the mental health condition, and a second to address the substance use disorder. This complication can make appropriate diagnosis difficult to detect and treat effectively, reducing favorable outcomes.
To help solve this problem, Renewal Lodge has developed a program that treats mental health and addiction concurrently in the same treatment episode.
12 Ways To Sneak In Mental Health Breaks Throughout Your Day
Combining Mental Health and Addiction Treatment
Renewal Lodge understands that suffering from a dual diagnosis condition can add complexity to the search for effective treatment. Some of the most common questions we encounter are: Which came first, the mental health condition or the addiction? Which should be treated foremost?
The answer comes from the research.
In short, persons with a dual diagnosis respond better to treatment methods that address mental health in conjunction with substance use disorders. This form of treatment not only improves abstinence outcomes, but also advances physical, emotional, and general functioning throughout the treatment episode and beyond.
“Integrated Treatment” of dual diagnosis significantly decreased psychiatric hospitalization and arrest compared to “Parallel Treatment”.
- 12.2 to just
- 3.3
Why Are There So Few Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers?
Dual diagnosis conditions may add complexity to the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment episode sought by the affected person. Many programs believe dual diagnosis conditions are associated with higher rates of relapse, poorer physical health, and risks other challenges, including premature departure from treatment.
At Renewal Lodge we embrace the emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual needs of every individual we treat. It is our belief that dual diagnosis clients receive the most effective treatment when substance abuse and mental health are addressed simultaneously.
Dual Diagnosis And The Family
- Our loved one is being treated for their mental health condition, but not their substance use disorder, leading to more relapses
- Our loved one is not being recognized as a person who suffers from more than one condition, mental health and substance abuse
- Our loved one, despite their history with substance abuse, is being prescribed an addictive medication to treat their mental illness/substance use disorder
- Our loved one’s substance use disorder was dismissed as a minor side effect of their mental health disorder, and no effective treatment was offered
- Our loved one’s treatment provider did not involve us in the collection of history, facts, or evidentiary collateral to support effective dual diagnosis treatment
- Our loved one, despite our efforts, has not been able to schedule with a specialist or early intervention practitioner due to high regional/local demand
- Our loved one’s treatment was discontinued for being difficult or unresponsive to treatment, and no alternatives were given for effective dual diagnosis treatment
“Renewal Lodge believes in treating the whole person. Utilizing evidence-based mental health services alongside addiction treatment is crucial to our core mission.”
Families Ask Us: Is It Addiction Or Mental Health?
The National Institute of Mental Health reveals that “a substance use disorder (SUD) is a mental disorder that affects a person’s brain and behavior, leading to a person’s inability to control their use of substances such as legal or illegal drugs, alcohol, or medications.”
Many families express confusion as they seek to navigate the various signs and symptoms that correlate between addiction and other mental health disorders.
Some common signs of substance use disorder may include:
Sudden changes in behavior or personality
Isolation from family members, peers, relationships, and co-workers
An inability to consistently control alcohol or drug use
Displaying risky behaviors such as driving intoxicated
Missing work, tardiness, and difficulty maintaining commitments
Lying, making excuses, defensive arguing when confronted
Legal and/or financial issues
Lost interest in previously enjoyed hobbies, activities, or pastimes
While many of the signs and symptoms of substance use disorder can overlap with various other mental health disorders, here are some common signs of mental illness:
Mood changes that appear and subside rapidly
Reduced/Increased eating habits, including weight gain or weight loss
Sex drive increases or decreases
Detachment from reality, confusion and difficulty concentrating
Complaints of bodily ailments that lack an identifiable cause
Excessive feelings/moods, including sadness, fear, worry, and anxiety
Lack of insight regarding one’s own behavior or personality
Drug or Alcohol Abuse
“Renewal Lodge is a true agent for change. We assist clients in redefining who they aspire to be in recovery and support their families along the way.”
Where To Start: Achieving A Diagnosis
Mental health conditions are never indicative of personal weakness or inadequacy. Like any serious physical health condition, a mental illness requires personalized treatment that may include therapy, medication, support groups, and wellness services.
At Renewal Lodge, we emphasize whole-health healing supported by evidence-based clinical models. Our therapists utilize the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR), published by the American Psychiatric Association, to assess the symptoms of our clients and establish accurate diagnosis.
Since 2005, we have helped countless individuals overcome their mental health symptoms and lead healthy, happy, well-adjusted lives. It all starts with achieving a diagnosis.
To learn more about what makes us different click here.
The Family’s Journey with Renewal Lodge
- Family-Owned.
- Family-Operated
- Family-Emphasized.
Understanding the family’s journey through addiction and mental health is critical to the success of our program, and a key component to sustainable, long-term recovery. Our commitment to family is to embrace their unique experience and provide customized education, resources, and onsite services that help integrate the client’s loved ones into the treatment and aftercare process.
We do this because it works!
