Many people in recovery from substance use disorder (SUD) have a dual diagnosis. A dual diagnosis is when someone has both a mental health disorder and SUD. This is common, as many people use drugs or alcohol as a form of self-medicating their mental health disorders. To fully understand dual diagnosis, one must know that it varies by individual. Not everyone will struggle with the same mental health disorder alongside SUD. MedlinePlus published an article that goes into further detail on what a dual diagnosis is and how it can occur.
An important part of recovery and mental health is to get a proper diagnosis and create a treatment plan that is specific to each individual's needs. The unique combination of disorders one has will change what type of treatments best suit them and what coping methods will benefit them. Those who struggle with depression and addiction have a very different experience than someone who has an anxiety disorder and SUD. Finding out which mental health disorder an individual has as well as the extent of their addiction will influence their treatment plan.
Substance abuse is rarely someone's actual problem. Usually, using substances is an attempted solution for some other problem, namely mental health disorders. While this may not be the case for everyone, it is common. In these cases, SUD generally develops as a result of self-medicating. Self-medicating can be described as using drugs and/or alcohol to treat mental health disorders rather than seeing a professional. Living through difficult times can often lead one down the road of substance abuse as this is the only way some people know how to cope with their mental illness.
On the flip side, some people have found that mental health disorders came after the use of alcohol or drugs. Either way, mental health disorders commonly co-occur with substance use. An article published by the National Institute of Mental Health goes into further detail on how and why those with SUD can develop mental health disorders.
Just like with treatment paths, coping methods will greatly vary per individual. With a dual diagnosis, it can be beneficial to find coping methods that help with an individual's mental illness and other coping methods that help with their addiction. When tackling two very different struggle areas of life, coping methods should be specific to each need. While many different coping methods can be specific to mental health or recovery, it is nonetheless important to treat both simultaneously for the best outcomes.
Mental health is only one part of a dual diagnosis but treating this can make addiction recovery a lot easier. There are many coping methods out there for those struggling with mental health disorders. Many of these coping methods promote whole-body wellness and can easily be done at home. Some coping methods that can be great for mental health include:
These are just some of the many easy ways to keep up with mental health while at home. There are many other options that can fit an individual's daily schedule. Keeping up on self-care can be simple, easy, and beneficial to one's overall mental health.
While coping methods specific to recovery can be quite similar to those for mental health, there are still ways to tailor them specifically to recovery. Some coping methods to aid in recovery from addiction to consider include:
These are great ways to work on one's recovery journey and can help one to address the SUD side of a dual diagnosis. Alongside other coping methods, these can help individuals to create a healthy space for lasting recovery. Many coping options can also be used to help both disorders.
Learning to cope with both sides of a dual diagnosis can greatly impact one's treatment plan. To lead a better daily life, one must have a healthy body as well as a healthy mind as well. By understanding both diagnoses, anyone can find a treatment plan that will help them. Dual diagnoses are unique to each person and something that may work for one person may not work for another. The best thing to do is to be persistent and try new things until one finds what works.
Working through recovery with a dual diagnosis is not uncommon. Many people who struggle with addiction also have mental health disorders. Many times, those with a dual diagnosis have experienced this because the use of substances can be a form of self-medicating. Some have found that mental health disorders occurred after the use of substances. Learning to cope with both sides of a dual diagnosis can be difficult and may feel overwhelming at times. The first step to take is to have a professional diagnose what mental health disorder you may be struggling with and whether you have SUD. From there, you can create a treatment plan and coping methods that are specific to your needs. If you are having a hard time developing healthy coping methods, NorthStar Transitions is here to help. Call today at (303) 558-6400.
