Addiction makes permanent changes to your brain. Even after you have successfully gone through detox and recovery, those changes to your neural architecture will still be there. This is what is often called a “chronic brain disorder.” This is the same name given to mental health disorders like schizophrenia and depression. Changes made by addiction also affect the same areas of the brain where these disorders dwell. Those who suffer from mental health issues are far more likely to develop drug dependence than the general population.
Millions of people who suffer from substance use disorders already struggle with mental health issues that they’ve had since birth. Treatment specialists at recovery centers are very familiar with co-occurring conditions like this. At Next Wind Recovery, we screen our clients to see if they will need to use our co-occurring disorder treatment program. Treating co-occurring conditions at the same time can lead to lasting positive outcomes.
Mental Health and Addiction Magnify Each Other
Although the connections between mental health disorders and addiction are extremely complex and not fully understood, there is strong evidence that they are genetic. Whether or not one causes the other, it is clear that they make each other worse.
Using certain drugs often leads to symptoms that are common in mental disorders, such as hallucinations and psychosis that afflict some marijuana users. If someone already has a condition like bipolar disorder, they can expect to face magnified symptoms when they begin using drugs. These pre-existing conditions might include:
- Depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder
- Anxiety
Treatments That Work
Professional therapists know that systems like Next Wind Recovery’s dual diagnosis treatment program are the best solution to co-occurring mental health issues. Programs with professionals working together to treat both issues at the same time are more likely to achieve lasting results.
At our center, we use specialized approaches like:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- EMDR therapy
- Motivational interviewing
We know that your life is unique and that your treatment must be well-tailored to fit your needs. The tools listed above will give you new ways to manage the symptoms of addiction and any underlying mental health issues.
What to Expect in Our Treatment Programs
To succeed in recovery, you need to learn healthy coping skills and make genuine social connections. All of our programs begin with an assessment of your substance use as well as any mental health issues. We believe that this kind of customized specialization is absolutely necessary. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you might require a partial hospitalization program (PHP) with medical assistance and oversight. Or, you may benefit from our intensive outpatient program (IOP), which is tailored for each client so they can keep their job and the normal routines of life. Our programs include:
- Individual therapy for substance use and mental health disorders – Effective, evidence-based, empathetic treatment in one-on-one therapy sessions is designed to address you as a whole person. This means building life skills that will follow long after you complete our program.
- Flexible scheduling to fit your life – We want your treatment plan to be optimized for your life.
- Group therapy – Genuine connections and bonding are critical to your successful recovery and therapy. Our group therapy sessions are led by experienced therapists and counselors who foster connections. When you leave Next Wind Recovery, you will have a network of support.
Call Next Wind Recovery Today and Learn Where to Start
We take your commitment to quit and get help very seriously, even if you have been through previous programs. If you want to know more about how your recovery journey will begin at our center in Englewood, New Jersey, please call us today at 201.331.6569, or contact us online. You can also read more details about our programs online here. Don’t stop now, you’re well on your way to a lasting change in your life.
