Dual Diagnosis Drug Treatment

There are many factors that go into quality drug rehab treatment for addiction.  The most important aspect that a drug treatment center can focus on when creating a treatment plan for a client is the personal background information of the individual.  Personalizing an effective recovery process based on an individual’s mental, substance abuse, and family history is essential for positive outcomes.

One of a more common issue drug treatment centers see in individuals is a dual diagnosis assessment.  This co-occurring disorder diagnosis is a mental health disorder along with a substance abuse disorder.  Not all drug treatment centers have the ability to take on these types of individuals.  A common mental health disorder occurring in drug rehab clients is Bipolar Disorder.

Bipolar Disorder and Substance Abuse Disorder co-occur in about 61% of those with Type I bipolar and 48% of those with Type II bipolar. Subgroups of the bipolar population have are more prone to Substance Use Disorder like men, those with rapid cycling, and those who are diagnosed at the typical age of onset (between 20 and 30)

Some significant issues this population faces are in regards to medication management, effects of current and past drug use on medication interactions, and poor treatment adherence. Also there is an increased risk of suicide, increased health concerns due to medication, and lack of appropriate research for this specific subgroup.

Relapse bipolar symptoms are another problem because of the increased risk for discontinuance of treatment, suicide, and substance abuse when this occurs. Even with medication relapse rates of bipolar symptoms are as high as 40% within the first year, 60% within two years, and 73% within five or more years. Medications such as anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and antipsychotics are prescribed to help deal with the symptoms.

Current research suggests that the most effective form of recovery at a drug rehab center is integrated treatment. This is when recovery and relapse prevention from both disorders is taught simultaneously, usually involving group therapy and psycho educational groups. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has been shown to be an effective modality to use in integrated therapy. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy also has shown promising results in helping decrease symptomology of both disorders.

Quality Young Adult Drug Treatment

Between the age of eighteen and twenty-five, young adults are still dealing with changes in psychological and physical characteristics. They are developing a sense of self, maturity, and knowledge of their surrounding world. When an adolescent chooses to use alcohol or drugs there still can be some ignorance about the possible ramifications, in the young adult years this is not quite the case.  The sense of self, maturity, and knowledge of the surrounding world slows and sometimes evens become dormant for a period of time during and after drug use.  Young adults struggling with addiction comprise a significant amount of that special population.  Most often, these individuals come from an unstable home and there is frequently a history of mental illness in the family. All of these factors must be taken into account when creating a drug treatment plan for a substance dependence disorder.

Treating young adults presents many different challenges that are always common with adult treatment. Counselors must remember that young adults are continually developing psychologically and they have not reached the level of understanding their feelings and emotions in the way that adults are capable of.  The most important thing that occurs in young adult drug treatment is the change in perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors that revolve around addictive chemicals. The young adults must come to understand and recognize that they have a problem and develop tools of recovery. Unlike adults in treatment, young adults must focus on understanding their identity and who they are as well as building life skills and emotional regulation.

Some of the most difficult aspects of treating young adults are helping them understand they have a problem, getting them to communicate, and making them comply with the rules. One of the most successful treatment approaches is the therapeutic community. Clients hold their peers at high level of accountability giving the treatment team leverage, providing for faster behavior modification. The TC model teaches the client self-discipline and how to delay gratification. Love, support and trust are crucial parts of helping the client grow. Once they feel genuine love from the drug treatment team, the young adult will start to take a look at themselves and work towards sobriety.