So, You Need Mental Health or Drug Rehab?

More than 8.9 million people in the United States have co-occurring disorders (COD). Also referred to as dual diagnosis conditions, patients who suffer from COD have a mental and substance abuse disorder. They experience symptoms that include:

·         Extreme sadness

·         Changes in appetite

·         Irritability, anger and rage

·         Greater pessimism or indifference

·         Loss of energy or unrelenting exhaustion

·         Poor or lack of motivation for activities they used to be passionate about

·         Unexplained pain or aches

·         Lack of focus

The symptoms aren’t limited to these, though, the U.S. News says. To find out if you suffer from co-occurring disorders, seek out a consultation to receive proper treatment, SAMHSA says.

Finding treatment

When you look for a rehab facility, find one that offers both drug and mental health rehab. Not all treatment centers have the team and resources to offer this treatment. You need to check on this detail before you pick a facility.

Do your homework

Learn more about the facility. How long has it been around? What kind of services does it offer? What qualifications and credentials do the staff members have? The more information you have about the rehab center, the easier it will be for you to decide if they can deliver the specialized care and support services you need. 

Bring everything

When you visit a facility to check it out, don't hesitate to bring all your records. Everything is important. All the data that you can provide your doctors with will help them create the best care plan for you, one that will specifically address your needs.

Seek out help

You’re not alone. There are a lot of people who are willing to help you find the right treatment. But you need to reach out. They won’t know you need help until you ask. Also, don’t hide it from your family and friends. A lot of people try to conceal their condition, thinking it will go away. But things aren’t going to go away, not without help. The sooner you reach out to your loved ones and ask them for help and support, the sooner your recovery can start.

Commit to it

Change isn’t going to come in a big moment of realization. You’re not going to wake up one day that you want to change your life. It’s not that easy. What happens is that you decide you want to change your life. You want to turn things around. That’s when all the rest starts to fall into place. Most people find this difficult. But once you commit to changing your life, that’s one step forward towards sobriety. That’s how changing your life starts.

Know your options

Talk to your doctor about your treatment options. What kind of programs will work on you? Do you require a residential or outpatient treatment program? Which one suits you? Residential programs allow you to focus on your recovery while outpatient programs provide you with freedom and flexibility to seek out treatment.

Recovery isn’t easy, especially when you have co-occurring conditions. But finding the right program helps.