7 Major Benefits Of Dual Diagnosis Treatment: By Addiction Recovery Experts

Dual diagnosis is when you have been officially diagnosed with a substance addiction and a mental disorder at the same time. When it comes to treatment, there are seven benefits that we’ll go over in this guide. This will be helpful if you or someone you know may be dealing with it.

If you need additional information on how to deal with co-occurring disorder, you can check out the Epiphany Wellness website. You’ll find a ton of resources that will help you get on the right path. You want to live a fulfilling life while getting rid of your addiction and keeping your mental health manageable. 

Let’s dive right in and check out the seven major benefits for dual diagnosis treatment. 

It will help identify and cope with triggers 

Dual diagnosis will help you identify with the common triggers. What could be the cause of mental episodes connected with the disorder you’re diagnosed with? Could it also be the cause for your addiction?

The mental disorder may have occurred prior to the addiction (even if it was not diagnosed prior). So the latter may have been developed as a way to cope with the pain. With dual diagnosis treatment, you’ll be able to find common triggers and find ways to deal with them without the use of substances. 

You get specialized care for both disorders 

One of the more common things that occur with dual diagnosis is one disorder is treated and the other isn’t. For this reason, mental disorders would take a back seat while addiction will be treated. This is considered counterintuitive and could defeat the entire purpose to begin with. 

Because of this, both the addiction and mental disorder should be treated concurrently. You can attend regular sessions for both depending on the schedule. You will have to focus on both issues and be able to have peace of mind knowing you’re being taken care of.

You learn more about yourself and your situation

As someone that is diagnosed with a co-occurring disorder, you will learn about this new revelation. You’ll learn about why you may have developed this issue in the first place. Each case is different from one another and has different factors that have played a role in their disorder.

For some, they may have developed this disorder due to the environment they were in. Others may have been in high-stress situations and have failed to manage it regularly. It can also be due to genetics (where your parents or grandparents may have suffered the same disorders). 

You may find out things you didn’t know about yourself beforehand. You may also be aware of the factors that may have led to your co-occurring disorder to begin with. Either way, you’ll be able to do everything together so you can make the treatment process a lot easier. 

For example, you may find that your environment or toxic relationships should be done away with as soon as possible. When this happens, you’re going in the right direction. 

You’ll get a full on assessment 

You will get an in-depth assessment that will make your treatment plan more specified. The professionals that will be diagnosing you will be able to ask you questions, observe your behaviors, and much more.

The more evidence they find regarding your disorder, the more detailed your treatment plan will be. Since each person is different, your treatment will be more personalized. It will be as if the whole thing was made for you and only you.

The professionals you work with will make sure every base is covered. And they’ll make sure they leave no stone unturned before they go forward with your treatment.

You’ll have plenty of counseling and aftercare options 

Whether it’s during or after your addiction recovery, you’ll still have a ton of options. This can be counseling in an individual or group session. You may also take advantage of the aftercare options that also are available (both online and offline). 

Either way, you will be able to take better care of yourself even after your treatment for addiction is finished. You will still have a support system that will be there for you no matter what. Taking care of yourself is what matters most. 

The good news is most aftercare programs will be available 24/7 (mostly online). You’ll be able to reach out to someone at any time when things don’t seem to be going as good. It’s OK to have your not so good days. 

But keep in mind that there are better things to do than going back to your old habits. Talk to someone you trust. Do something that will take your mind off of things such as your addiction. 

Remember, in case you do relapse, it’s always good to have a plan in place.

You can connect with like-minded individuals

At some point, you will be able to connect with people who may be in similar situations. You will meet with one another to discuss your treatment plans including the challenges you’ve all faced. You can also share common ground and be each other’s support in times of need.

The more like-minded people you meet, the stronger your support system will be (and vice versa). It’s always a good idea to connect with those who want to live a fulfilling happy life. Free from addiction while being able to manage their mental disorder.

You can plan your own future

Dual diagnosis treatment gives you a chance to plan your own future. What will it be like? It’s up to you. 

Make plans to spend time with your family. Take on that new skill you’ve been wanting to learn. Do something new that you were scared to do before. 

Imagine living a life where you have no addiction to worry about. Where you can be able to deal with your mental disorder at manageable levels. Take a moment to plan everything out and play it like a movie in your mind. 

You will be in a better mood and it will give you the confidence to go on. It’s a lot better than never having to go through any treatment at all.