Can Outpatient Programs Treat Co-Occurring Disorders and Addiction?

It's not uncommon for people struggling with addiction to also struggle with other mental health conditions. These are referred to as co-occurring disorders and, more often than not, most people with an addiction also struggle with them. Outpatient treatment programs can be extremely beneficial for individuals seeking addiction treatment. However, people are skeptical of the efficacy of using an outpatient program to treat both co-occurring disorders and addiction. 

So, what makes outpatient treatment effective? We'll discuss that in a bit, but first, we encourage anyone still living in active addiction to seek professional treatment. The recovery process can be scary and long, but it's always worth it. Contact West Coast Recovery Centers to begin the process and heal from addiction today. 

Co-Occurring Disorders and Addiction

As highlighted by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), substance use disorder (SUD) is a “mental disorder that affects a person's brain and behavior, leading to a person's inability to control their use of substances such as legal or illegal drugs, alcohol, or medications.” Behavioral addictions, though different, are similar in that a person becomes completely powerless against the addiction, which could include gambling, internet, shopping, or food. In any case, both SUD and behavioral addiction can lead people to develop other mental health conditions. 

Some common mental health conditions individuals with addiction may experience include: 

• Anxiety 
• Depression
• Bipolar disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

When co-occurring disorders are present, it can be hard to determine which disorder has led to the other. However, things like genetics, stress, and trauma can contribute to the development of both. In some cases, which came first becomes a moot point, as dual diagnosis treatment is generally required for both. 

Understanding Self-Medication

Knowing which condition came first is not necessary for creating an individualized treatment plan that treats all presenting symptoms in tandem. Many individuals have a pre-existing mental health condition that goes untreated. When this happens, people often turn to substance use as a way to cope with the condition and its accompanying symptoms. 

Self-medicating may initially help people with their symptoms. Unfortunately, the improvement is short-lived and can quickly lead to dependency. If both conditions remain untreated, it'll spiral into a vicious cycle where symptoms of one condition continually exacerbate symptoms of the other. The only way to truly be free from them is to seek treatment for both. 

Treating Co-Occurring Disorders and Addiction

Whether your struggle with a behavioral addiction or SUD has led to a mental health condition or vice versa, recovery is possible. However, it does typically require dual diagnosis. Unfortunately, making a dual diagnosis can sometimes be challenging for the following reasons: 

• Substance use can be a common symptom for most mental health conditions 
• Facing multiple diagnoses causes people to face more stigma and stereotypes surrounding the conditions  
• Treatment for these conditions can become more complex and may lead to an increase in treatment resistance 
• Long-lasting sustainable recovery can become more challenging to maintain when multiple disorders are involved 

Symptoms of co-occurring disorders and addiction can be virtually identical at times, making the diagnostic process even more complex. Nevertheless, there's always hope and various treatment modalities are available to help treat the problem. 

Behavioral Therapies

A number of behavioral therapies can help people recover from co-occurring disorders and addiction. Some of them include: 

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): Focuses on modifying harmful beliefs and behaviors in clients 
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): Helps people learn and use new skills to regulate their emotions better 
• Group therapy: Works toward addressing mental illness and addiction simultaneously while also helping people bond with peers

Behavioral therapies like these will be used in almost any treatment program you choose. That includes outpatient programs. Speaking of outpatient treatment, let's dive into how outpatient programs can treat co-occurring disorders and addiction. 

What Is Outpatient Addiction Treatment?

Outpatient addiction treatment programs differ from residential or inpatient rehab in that they allow clients to come and go. These forms of day patient care don't require hospitalization and allow clients to seek professional help while maintaining the day-to-day responsibilities of their lives. 

Some of the benefits of outpatient treatment include: 

• Flexible scheduling
• Group and upper support
• Individualized care plans 
• Holistic approaches to treatment
• More cost-effective and affordable

How Can Outpatient Programs Treat Co-Occurring Disorders and Addiction?

Another significant benefit of outpatient treatment programs is that they can offer dual diagnosis treatment which, as mentioned, is essential to treating co-occurring disorders and addiction. A comprehensive approach to treatment addresses addiction and co-occurring conditions while increasing the chances of long-term recovery.  

Most facilities, like West Coast Recovery Centers, offer many benefits through our outpatient treatment program. Our specialized staff provides clients with comprehensive and holistic care, evidence-based treatment, individualized care plans, and continuity of care. We also work hard to create a supportive environment that fosters a sense of healing for clients seeking treatment. 

Contact us to learn more about our services and how outpatient treatment can help you heal from co-occurring disorders and addiction today. 

Outpatient addiction treatment programs differ from residential or inpatient rehabs in that they offer flexible schedules that allow clients to seek professional treatment while maintaining the day-to-day responsibilities of their lives. Sometimes, this flexibility causes people to question the effectiveness of using outpatient programs to treat co-occurring disorders and addiction. However, these programs offer comprehensive, holistic, and individualized care geared toward helping people manage their addiction and mental health conditions without substance use. We encourage you to visit our website or reach out to us at West Coast Recovery Centers by calling (760) 492-6509 to learn more about our addiction treatment services, outpatient programs, and how you can begin healing from your struggles with co-occurring disorders and addiction today.