Addiction and mental health conditions often go hand in hand. Sometimes, people begin abusing drugs and alcohol to cope with untreated symptoms of mental illnesses. When you have an addiction and a mental health condition at the same time, this is known as co-occurring disorder.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 21.5 million people in the United States have a co-occurring disorder.[1]
While any mental health condition can co-occur with addiction, some are more common than others. One of the most prevalent mental illnesses among people with addiction is bipolar disorder. The National Library of Medicine (NLM) reports that between 40 and 70% of people with bipolar disorder struggle with addiction.[2]
When you have co-occurring bipolar disorder and addiction, the conditions must be treated at the same time. Thankfully, dual-diagnosis rehab centers can provide the tools and support you need.
In this article, we’ll cover what to expect at a treatment program for bipolar and addiction in Fort Pierce. You will learn:
- Why co-occurring disorders must be treated simultaneously
- What is the treatment for bipolar disorder and addiction in Fort Pierce like
- How dual diagnosis treatment addresses both addiction and bipolar disorder
Why Do Co-Occurring Disorders Have to Be Treated Together?
When you have a mental health disorder and an addiction at the same time, the two illnesses exacerbate one another. Using drugs and alcohol only worsens your mental health symptoms, while untreated symptoms of mental illness can cause you to abuse substances as an unhealthy coping mechanism. In other words, co-occurring disorders create a difficult cycle of mental health problems and substance abuse.
Co-occurring disorders affect one another, so you need to receive treatment for both conditions at the same time. If you were to only treat your addiction, eventually your untreated mental health symptoms would trigger a relapse. This is why treatment options for co-occurring disorders include dual-diagnosis rehab centers. These programs combine mental health treatment with services for substance use disorders. You will be treated by addiction experts, nurses, doctors, and mental health professionals.
Agape Behavioral Center accepts many private insurance plans
How Does Treatment for Bipolar Disorder and Substance Abuse in Fort Pierce Work?
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that includes manic and depressive episodes. It can cause your moods to shift dramatically and randomly, with episodes sometimes lasting several weeks. Because impulsivity is a common symptom during manic episodes, substance abuse is common among people with the disorder.
If you have bipolar disorder and addiction, you’ll need to attend a dual-diagnosis treatment center. In Fort Pierce, Florida, Agape Behavioral Center offers evidence-based treatment for addiction and bipolar disorder at the same time. During our treatment program, you can expect the following:
Addressing Addiction
Dual diagnosis treatment helps you recover from addiction using a combination of medical detox, behavioral therapy, and relapse prevention planning.
First, medical detox helps you overcome withdrawal by using FDA-approved medications to limit symptoms and cravings. You will be treated by medical professionals with experience in dealing with substance use disorders and withdrawal syndromes.
Once you overcome withdrawal, you will begin participating in behavioral health services like individual therapy sessions and group counseling. Individual therapy helps you unpack the root causes of your addiction and recover from underlying trauma that you wouldn’t want to discuss in a group. On the other hand, group counseling is ideal for learning communication skills, gaining healthy coping mechanisms, and building a community of support.
Lastly, your treatment plan includes relapse prevention planning. This process teaches you how to identify triggers for relapse and use your coping mechanisms to maintain sobriety. You will also make a plan of action to use in case you experience a relapse in the future.
Managing Bipolar Disorder
Dual diagnosis rehab in Fort Pierce helps you recover from bipolar disorder using behavioral therapy and medication.
You will engage in both group counseling and individual therapy during bipolar disorder treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is commonly used because it teaches emotional regulation skills, improves self-esteem, and provides coping mechanisms like mindfulness techniques.
Treating bipolar disorder often involves medication. Because you struggle with addiction, non-habit-forming medicines will be used. The most common medications for bipolar disorder include antipsychotics and mood stabilizers.
Medication helps bipolar disorder by limiting symptoms that are not controlled by therapy. Medication will lessen the severity and frequency of manic or depressive episodes.
Get Connected to a Top-Rated Bipolar and Addiction Rehab in Fort Pierce
If you or a loved one suffers from co-occurring bipolar disorder and addiction, it’s time to seek help. At Agape Behavioral Center, we provide effective treatment for co-occurring disorders in a safe and comfortable setting. We always use evidence-based treatment methods, ensuring you get the care you need to make a full recovery.
Contact us today to learn more about our highly-rated bipolar disorder and substance abuse treatment center in Fort Pierce, FL.
References:
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Co-Occurring Disorders and Other Health Conditions
- The National Library of Medicine (NLM): Update on bipolar disorder and substance abuse: recent findings and treatment strategies
