Co-occurring Substance Use Disorder
A substance use disorder is when someone has a set of symptoms related to the problematic use of drugs and alcohol. Continued use can disrupt one’s thoughts, behaviors, and overall physical well-being. Because the desire to continue using drugs and alcohol is strong, a person may compromise values and morals and sacrifice primary relationships. Prolonged use of drugs and alcohol can change brain circuits and can negatively impact how a person thinks and feels.
Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health
More than 50% of individuals with an addiction to drugs or alcohol also have a mental health disorder. Continued substance abuse will worsen mental health symptoms, and many times, people use substances to help distract from the discomfort of mental health symptoms. Others are predisposed to the development of mental health disorders that may be triggered by drug or alcohol addiction.
Symptoms of Substance Use Disorder
If there are clear indications that you or your loved one may be suffering from a substance use disorder, it’s best to review your observations with a professional and decide if addiction treatment is needed. Below are some of the common indicators that someone may be suffering from a substance use disorder:
- Increased tolerance for drugs or alcohol
- Failure to fulfill significant life obligations
- Difficulties with relationships and increased conflict
- An inability to control or reduce drug or alcohol use
- Increased time seeking drugs or alcohol
- Sacrificing activities to use instead
- Engaging in dangerous behaviors while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety, sweating, depression, insomnia, tremors, and increased heart rate
How We Treat Co-occurring Substance Use Disorder
Successfully treating substance abuse and addiction requires an appropriate the exploration of the issues that led to substance abuse. It also requires the client to address the symptoms and root causes of any co-occurring mental health disorder.
Our treatment environment is firmly rooted in our Social Integration Model™, which aims to encourage positive social functioning. Our individualized treatment plans are customized based on client’s individual needs; no two treatment plans are the same. We aim to assist in relieving the stress that comes from assimilating back into everyday life and help our clients achieve the highest levels of functioning and independence once they leave treatment. Our treatment for co-occurring substance use disorder includes:
- Multiple levels of care designed to provide the ideal level of support to help clients reach their full potential of either independent or semi-independent living.
- Our Social Integration Model™ during which we teach skills in individual and group therapies, and then help clients put them into practice during on- and off-site activities.
- Each client is assessed throughout treatment by our experienced treatment team to advocate for the proper length of treatment to ensure the best chance for recovery.
- In tandem with our Social Integration Model™, we use multiple therapeutic modalities including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), art therapy, family therapy, and others.
