Dual Diagnosis Treatment in McAllen, TX

It is very common for addictions to drugs and alcohol to occur together with serious psychiatric disorders. Many studies have shown that one in three of those who suffer from bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, OCD, depression or another psychiatric disorder have experienced substance abuse at some point. Conversely, one in two addicts tend to suffer from a psychiatric disorder. If you have a loved one who struggles with addiction to substance abuse, it would make sense to investigate the possibility of a mental disorder. At our center for dual diagnosis treatment in McAllen, we recommend such investigation for every patient, because it takes special treatment to ensure a full recovery from dual diagnosis.

What is Dual Diagnosis?

A dual diagnosis is a medical condition that involves two concurrent diagnoses, one being that of addiction, and the other of a psychiatric disorder. In some cases, the path traced by these disorders is clear. For instance, a patient who suffers from psychiatric problems such as anxiety disorder may be prescribed Xanax for their condition, but they may turn to overusing the product and turning addicted. In some cases, it is the addiction that comes first — a person's addictive behavior creates changes in the brain that cause depression or other psychiatric disorders.

Psychiatrists can have a hard time diagnosing the mental disorders that appear together with addiction. There is considerable symptom overlap among addictions and mental disorders. As we tell our clients at our center for dual diagnosis treatment in McAllen, it can take the expertise of a team with special training in dual diagnosis medicine to help such a patient.

How is Dual Diagnosis Treated?

In essence, the treatment of a dual diagnosis condition requires an integrated approach, one where specialists investigate both conditions together, and offer addiction treatment while in consultation with one another. This is the approach that we use at our center for dual diagnosis treatment in McAllen. The integrated approach offers the following benefits.

There is no passing the buck on responsibility: When treatment is offered by separate teams of psychiatrists and addiction specialists who do not consult with one another over the course of the treatment program, it can be hard to learn where fault may lie, should treatment fail. With integrated treatment programs in McAllen, the psychiatrist and the addiction specialist work in collaboration, ensuring that fault ultimately lies with both as a team. This can make for more effective treatment.

Dual diagnosis centers are better equipped: Dual diagnosis centers exclusively offer inpatient care. Patients who suffer from dual diagnoses are often at risk of suicidal or violent behavior, and may also cheat on their program by using drugs or alcohol. Most centers are ill-equipped to handle such patients. It can take a center equipped with special dual diagnosis treatment programs for such tendencies.

There are better therapists available: From helping patients build up motivation to get better to helping them overcome psychological addiction to drugs after detoxification, therapy plays a huge role in any rehab program. Dual diagnosis treatment centers offer therapeutic interventions by professionals with special training in dual diagnosis care.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment Improves Outcomes

Better outcomes are possible when addictions are correctly treated with a scientifically valid dual diagnosis approach. The primary benefit of such treatment lies in the promise of long-term sobriety. When a dual diagnosis condition is treated for the mental disorder and addictive substance, relapse prevention in McAllen is a near-certainty. When the underlying psychiatric disorder is allowed to remain, it may drive the patient to addictive behavior again.

Finding a Center with Dual Diagnosis Options

Since rehab centers do not receive much regulatory oversight, they are under no obligation to offer the most advanced forms of treatment. While the dual diagnosis treatment approach has been in currency since 1990, most rehabs still do not offer it. When they do, often, they do not offer the integrated approach. It takes a great deal of research to find a treatment center that offers quality, science-backed treatment.

If you would like to speak to an expert in integrated dual diagnosis addiction treatment, you're welcome to call on us at our center for dual diagnosis treatment in McAllen (877) 804-1531.