Drug addiction treatment is not a one-size-fits-all cure for addiction. Depending on a Denver resident’s addiction history, different strategies and different types of treatment are needed to treat the whole person and truly defeat addiction, instead of just addressing symptoms.
Furthermore, many Denver addicts also struggle with a mental illness, or vice versa. In these cases, failing to treat both disorders creates a false sense of recovery that is unlikely to last. Mental illness often contributes to addiction, just as addiction can often lead to, or exacerbate, mental illness. Treating the whole person means addressing both disorders and any other contributing factors so that recovery can be real and lasting. The term for this type of treatment is Dual Diagnosis Treatment
What Is Dual Diagnosis Treatment?
Dual Diagnosis treatment is available for those Denver residents dealing with co-occurring disorders, such as a mental illness. This type of treatment focuses on addressing both disorders and their relationship with each other. The staff of a Dual Diagnosis treatment center should be trained in both addiction and psychological help. Other factors to look for in a quality treatment program include the following:
- Education for patients about how alcohol and drugs affect mental illness.
- Counseling specifically designed for people struggling with dual disorders.
- Exploration of what may have lead to one or both of the disorders and education about how to prevent these factors in the future.
- Teaching life skills that will equip Denver patients to solve problems without using drugs.
- Relapse prevention training that takes both addiction and mental illness into account.
Treating the Whole Person
By “treating the whole person,” we mean addressing the many facets and factors that make up a person as well as the disorder(s). In addition to integrated treatment, treating the whole person can also mean incorporating exercise, relaxation techniques such as yoga and spiritual endeavors. You are not just your mental illness or addiction. You need treatment that takes all of you into account.
Denver Addiction Help
If you alive in Denver and are struggling with co-occurring disorders, call our toll-free, 24 hour helpline now. We can help you find a treatment program staffed with professionals trained in Dual Diagnosis Treatment and prepared to treat your whole self. In order to defeat either addiction or mental illness, you have to get treatment that accounts for both. Call today and get on the road to true recovery.
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