Around 9 million people have been affected by substance abuse and co-occurring mental illness each year. There is an overlapping between those affected by mental illness and diagnosable substance use.

A person who gets treatment for substance abuse alone may not get recover fully because both substance abuse and mental illness have a cyclical relationship. So, patients need an integrated treatment method to recover successfully from co-occurring disorders and dual diagnoses.

For the best rehab in San Fernando Valley, California, U.S., you must consider visiting Concise Recovery Center. They provide a personalized approach to each patient to manage the condition and heal properly. Also, they are affordable too.

What is a co-occurring disorder?

An individual who experiences 2 or more mental or physical conditions in succession is considered to be the patient of a co-occurring disorder, dual diagnosis, comorbidity, or dual disorder. It is a common condition all over the world.

According to studies, people struggling with drug addiction are more likely to get mental illness. It is because substance abuse alters brain functioning that can cause changes in behavior and thinking. This can increase the risk of social and physical harm. The co-occurring disorder can develop at all ages, but mostly in adults (18 years to 25 years). Mental conditions that can cause by the dual disorder are:

• PTSD
• Eating disorders
• Personality disorders
• Mood disorders like depression, anxiety, etc
• Hyperactive disorder

Co-occurring disorder symptoms

• Inability to stop taking alcohol or drugs
• Stable worthlessness feeling
• Inability to cope or function with life without alcohol or drugs
• Risky behavior like DUI (driving under influence)
• Increased need (taking more to attain the same feeling)
• Behavioral changes like delusions, hallucinations, considering suicide, or paranoia
• Mood swings (extreme lows or highs)
• Changes in eating, sleeping, etc
• Inability to make decisions or think clearly
• Suicidal behavior or suicidal thinking
• Increased tolerance to intoxicating effects of alcohol
• Inability to regulate the amount or frequency of substance you take
• Inability to remember when you felt that you are satisfied with your life, without having substance
• Taking substance by hoping that you can overcome the feelings of anxiety, stress, and fear
• Having experience with trauma
• Mental illness in family history
• Inability to focus or concentrate
• Intense feelings of hopelessness and despair

Co-occurring disorder signs

A few signs indicate substance abuse and mental health disorders. The following are a few of them:

• Inability to maintain functional friendship or relationship
• Financial and legal issues
• Mood swings
• Inability to cling to the job

How will doctors identify dual diagnosis?

A professional doctor will use certain screening methods to identify co-occurring disorder symptoms, including:

• Reviewing the medical history of previous health issues and medications
• Checking family history
• Checking for problems associated with the appearance
• Inspecting unusual behavior, aggression, or thoughts

Treatment method for co-occurring disorder

An experienced doctor can help you in identifying the problem and provides a suitable program in getting recovery from the condition. Here are a few treatment methods used to treat the co-occurring disorder, including:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Experiential therapy program
• Relapse prevention therapy
• Dialectical behavioral therapy

Although the co-occurring disorder is a common problem, understanding the cause can help to treat it and overcome the addiction. So, choose a reputed rehab center that offers a dedicated team and contact today to improve your condition.