When you think about it, there are plenty of duos that most everyone likes. Batman and Robin. Abbott and Costello. Cagney and Lacey or Starsky and Hutch or Rizzoli and Isles. Chicken and waffles. Macaroni and cheese. Peanut butter and jelly (or peanut butter and chocolate or peanut butter and banana). We could go on and on and on. We suspect you could, too.
But some duos are not so great—even if they are common. For example, struggling with a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder at the same time is a common challenge people face. It perhaps goes without saying, that no one really wants to acquire either kind of disorder, let alone both of them at the same time. Each comes with difficulties—and those difficulties can build upon one another.
Let’s take a look at why this less than desirable combination is prevalent—and how it might be addressed effectively.
The Two Types of Disorders Can Be Hard to Untangle
When it comes to substance use disorders and mental health disorders, there are a number of ways someone might end up facing both simultaneously.
For example, imagine you have been struggling with a mental health disorder like depression or anxiety and have been looking for a way to quiet the symptoms. You might be tempted—especially if you feel embarrassed about your situation—to turn to illicit or even legal substances in an effort to feel better. It might even seem to work for a bit. But ongoing use of drugs or alcohol, of course, can all too easily develop into a substance use disorder.
Or look at it the other way around. Imagine you have a substance use disorder and have been unable to get yourself free of it. As you continue to use drugs or alcohol, the substances chip away at your health—and not just your physical health. Ongoing substance use undermines your mental health, too. Soon enough, you may find you have developed a mental health disorder.
Either of those possibilities can occur, but here is something important to keep in mind: It really does not really make any difference just how you have ended up with a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder. What does make a difference is what you do about it—and that you do that without wasting any time (note that we offer a different perspective on the very notion of “wasted time” here).
What you should do about your co-occurring disorders is get yourself into treatment.
Getting Treatment for a Dual Diagnosis
The term “dual diagnosis” refers to the kind of situation we have been exploring—one in which a person is struggling with a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder simultaneously. A person who finds themselves dealing with both kinds of disorders needs to pursue treatment in a specific kind of place—a place equipped to effectively address a dual diagnosis.
Peak View Behavioral Health is exactly that kind of place. That means no matter how your disorders developed or in what order, our team of highly experienced experts can help you leave drugs or alcohol behind while also working with you to improve your mental health. Our personalized treatment plans are grounded in evidence-based practices and created with the understanding that no two people face identical challenges or have identical needs. We will help you acquire the strategies and resources necessary to rebuild your life after treatment.
Part of that rebuilding, of course, means staying on top of both kinds of disorders.
What Comes After Treatment?
A person in recovery from a substance use disorder should regularly attend 12-Step or other recovery program meetings. They should develop strategies for addressing cravings that will likely arise, and they should lean into healthy routines that support recovery—including eating healthfully, sleeping restfully, and exercising regularly. They should develop strong, supportive relationships while leaving toxic relationships behind.
Those healthful habits and supportive relationships are also important for those who are working toward better mental health. In addition, they will want to pursue ongoing therapy and work with a physician to identify useful mental health medications (if appropriate and safe given the substance use disorder).
For a person with a dual diagnosis seeking to transform their life for the better, those lists might seem overwhelming. But the benefits of effectively managing both types of disorders are many—and well worth the effort.
Let’s Get Started
Whether you are struggling with substances, mental health, or both, the team at Peak View Behavioral Health can help you renew balance in your life and embrace a spirit of hope for the future. Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Peak View is dedicated to providing excellent care—delivered with a spirit of empathy—to every person we serve.
No matter what you are struggling with, you will never encounter judgment at Peak View Behavioral Health. Instead, you will get the help and support you need to rebuild your life. When you are ready to get started, we are here to help. The best time to get started is always right now—and we are ready when you are.
