Mind & Body Healing: Holistic Treatment for Dual Diagnosis

People who struggle with mental health and substance use issues may often require professional treatment to process and overcome their struggles. Sometimes, traditional treatment can be intimidating. If you have tried many forms of traditional treatment before, it can be overwhelming to think about trying again. At West Coast Recovery Centers, we believe that treatment should be an all-encompassing experience. When you are struggling, you should approach treatment from your body, mind, and spirit. This form of treatment will teach you what you need to know to manage your health and stay on the path to recovery.

When you struggle with dual diagnosis, treatment can feel overly clinical and isolating. The holistic treatment gives you a chance to connect your body and mind. Things like breathwork, yoga, art therapy, and moving your body allow you to feel the process of recovery. These actions keep you engaged in your recovery and present as you work through things. Dual diagnosis can be difficult, but full healing is possible when you explore all your treatment options. 

What Is Dual Diagnosis?

Dual diagnosis is when you experience both a mental health disorder and substance use disorder (SUD) in tandem. Many people who experience mental health issues also develop SUD and vice versa. The connection between substance use and mental health issues is not just one thing, but can be a combination of genetics and situational circumstances. When you struggle with your mental health, you may want to numb and escape. This can lead to substance abuse. On the other hand, if you are struggling with substance abuse, it may alter brain functioning and make you more susceptible to mental health disorders.

Not everyone who experiences substance use may have a mental health disorder, and not everyone who struggles with mental health may turn to substances. Understanding the connection that these things may have to each other will help you in managing your struggles and symptoms. If you are struggling with dual diagnosis, it is integral to get treatment. Treatment will give you the skills and support that you need to address both issues head-on. 

Traditional Therapy vs Holistic Treatment

Treatment can often be broken down into traditional and medical approaches, as well as holistic interventions. Holistic treatment is a treatment that engages all parts of the client, mind, spirit, and body. Examples include things like meditation and breathwork, spiritual guidance and treatment, dance or art therapy, or adventure therapy. Focusing on things in holistic treatment engages each part of you when you are healing.

Many of these treatment options engage your body and allow you to focus on including your whole self. Using your body in yoga, moving your body, and meditating, all put your focus on your body and wellness. A lot of holistic treatment engages the skill of mindfulness. These skills allow you to handle your triggers around your mental health and substance use. 

This type of treatment can make a large difference for people who struggle with substance use and mental health. Traditional treatment options and therapy may require you to face things head-on. This may be uncomfortable if you have not been in treatment before. When you struggle with both issues, treatment can feel grueling and difficult. Utilizing holistic treatment allows you to find respite in the recovery process and learn new ways to approach healing besides traditional therapy. 

Holistic Treatment for Dual Diagnosis

Dual diagnosis can be exhausting for the individual who struggles with it. If you are managing both your mental health and trying to come off substances, you are likely going through a lot when you are in treatment. Sometimes people may need medical detox assistance to help them come off substances. If your mental health and substance use struggles are interfering with your ability to care for yourself and stay safe, you may have to undergo inpatient treatment. 

At times, treatment can be overwhelming or feel isolating and clinical. Combining holistic treatment into your care when you work through dual diagnosis allows you to connect your mind and body through effective healing practices. Holistic treatment allows you to find an alternative way to focus on your recovery. If you feel overwhelmed in treatment, you can find things that help you open up and connect to your body. Holistic treatment options give you the ability to manage your healthcare and find the path to recovery that works best for you. 

At West Coast Recovery Centers, we offer holistic treatment alongside traditional interventions to create an environment that best serves each client. If you struggle with traditional treatment or have struggled in maintaining your treatment before, exploring other options may be beneficial to you. We create a custom treatment plan that works to your interests and needs to get you healthy in the way that is best for you. 

Dual diagnosis can be difficult to handle. Recovery requires you to make large-scale changes in your life and the way that you handle stress. Sometimes treatment can feel difficult to approach head-on. Therapy may be overwhelming, or it may not be accessible to you. Holistic treatments give you alternate paths to take to recovery. Treatments like breathwork, yoga, art therapy, and more give you the ability to find new and safer ways to open up. You can combine focus on your body and mind to find the easiest path for you to get healthy. If you are interested in learning more about holistic treatment, call West Coast Recovery Centers at (760) 492-6509. today