Where to Find Treatment for Co-Occurring Disorders in New Jersey

Mental health and addiction often go hand in hand. When you have an untreated mental disorder, you are likely to begin abusing drugs and alcohol to self-medicate your symptoms. Over time, this causes you to develop a substance use disorder.

Having a mental disorder and an addiction at the same time is known as having co-occurring disorders. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “approximately 21.5 million adults in the United States have a co-occurring disorder.”[1]

When you have co-occurring disorders, you need to treat both conditions at the same time. Thankfully, dual diagnosis treatment centers combine mental health treatment with addiction recovery services. At New Jersey Addiction Interventions, we can connect you with a top-rated treatment center for co-occurring disorders.

In this article, you will learn:

• What are co-occurring mental health conditions?
• What are the risk factors for co-occurring mental disorders?
• What is a dual diagnosis treatment center?
• Where can you find treatment for co-occurring mental disorders in New Jersey?

What are Co-Occurring Mental Disorders?

Co-occurring disorders are characterized by having a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder at the same time. Any mental health disorder can occur at the same time as an addiction. That said, some mental disorders are more common among those with addiction than others.

The main mental disorders to commonly occur with substance use disorders include:[1]

• Anxiety disorders
• Schizophrenia
• Bipolar disorder
• Major depressive disorder
• Conduct disorders
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Someone who has comorbid conditions often uses drugs and alcohol to cope with the symptoms of their mental health disorder. For example, if you deal with intense panic attacks from an anxiety disorder, you might drink alcohol or abuse illicit drugs to calm your nerves. Another example would be using a depressant drug like heroin to calm a manic episode if you have bipolar disorder.

While self-medication might temporarily make you feel better, it often worsens your symptoms over time. Eventually, you’ll rely on drugs and alcohol to feel “normal,” and your mental health symptoms will be more severe than they were in the first place when you are sober.

What are the Common Risk Factors for Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions?

Comorbid addiction and mental disorders can happen to anyone. That said, some people are more likely to develop them than others. Certain risk factors increase your likelihood of developing co-occurring conditions.

Some of the risk factors associated with comorbid mental disorders and addiction include:

• Genetics or having a family history of addiction and mental health disorders
• Brain chemistry, as substance abuse can alter chemicals in your brain to make you more likely to develop mental health disorders
• Experiencing childhood trauma
• Chronic and persistent stress
• Social isolation and lack of support
• Exposure to peer pressure
• Easy access to drugs and alcohol
• Not receiving professional treatment for your psychological distress
• Lacking positive coping mechanisms and emotional regulation skills

While these risk factors make you more likely to develop co-occurring disorders, it isn’t set in stone. It’s possible to prevent yourself from becoming addicted to drugs by using healthy coping mechanisms and being proactive with your mental health by attending therapy.

What is a Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center?

If you suffer from mental illness and addiction, you need to attend a dual diagnosis treatment center. These programs offer a comprehensive treatment plan that includes services for mental health disorders and substance use disorders. In other words, you’ll be able to recover from both of your comorbid conditions at the same time.

During dual diagnosis treatment, you’ll receive the following services:

• In-depth assessment and individualized treatment planning
• Accurate diagnosis for mental illnesses
• Medical detox and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for addiction
• Medication management for mental illness
• Evidence-based therapies for your mental health disorder and substance use disorder
• Group counseling and support groups
• Psychoeducational counseling to educate you on mental health and addiction
• Relapse prevention planning
• Aftercare services

Dual diagnosis treatment can last anywhere from 30 to 90 days. They are usually inpatient, as most people with co-occurring mental health conditions need 24/7 monitoring and care during early recovery. That said, there are some outpatient options for individuals who cannot commit to a residential program.

Where to Find Treatment for Co-Occurring Disorders in New Jersey

If you are interested in attending dual diagnosis treatment in New Jersey, you’ve come to the right place. At New Jersey Addiction Interventions, we can connect you with a top-rated dual diagnosis treatment center in your area. Your program will address your mental illness and substance use disorder at the same time.

Even further, if you are looking for treatment for your loved one, we offer intervention services. If your loved one is refusing to attend professional care, we can stage an intervention to convince them that they need help for mental health and addiction. Our interventions are run by mental health professionals who specialize in crisis intervention and addiction recovery.

Once the intervention is completed, your loved one will be immediately transferred to a reputable dual diagnosis rehab center. They’ll receive personalized care, evidence-based treatment, relapse prevention planning, medication management services, and more.

Get Connected to a Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program in New Jersey

If you suffer from a co-occurring mental health disorder and substance use disorder, it’s time to receive professional, ongoing support and effective treatment. Dual diagnosis rehab centers combine addiction treatment with mental health care. You’ll receive evidence-based therapies like dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), contingency management (CM), and motivational interviewing (MI).

Whether you have personality disorders, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, bipolar disorder, or other mental health disorders, we can help you achieve recovery. Treating co-occurring disorders can be complicated, however, we are experienced and qualified to help you achieve recovery.

If you want to receive integrated treatment that will help you with managing withdrawal symptoms, overcoming the root causes of addiction (like genetic and environmental factors), and addressing mental health issues, you’ve come to the right place.

Contact New Jersey Addiction Interventions for more information on our dual diagnosis treatment facility.

References:

1. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Co-Occurring Disorders and Other Health Conditions