How Do Dual-Diagnosis Programs Work?

Anxiety and bipolar disorders are often treated with medications and psychotherapy. But when addiction is a part of the equation, inpatient or outpatient recovery programs are better options. Whether you or someone you love needs help, there are numerous options available.

One of the more common and effective options is inpatient treatment. Much like outpatient treatment, inpatient treatment offers structure and support. However, the main difference is that inpatient residential treatment involves clients staying at a facility on a full-time basis.

But before we get to treatment, what are anxiety and bipolar disorders, and what’s their relationship to addiction?

Part 1: What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a preoccupation with feeling worried, nervous, or uneasy. It is usually associated with stomach pains, increased heart rates, shortness of breath, and a number of other physical symptoms.

Normally when people feel anxious they focus on the physical ailments they are experiencing and many times they believe that their anxiety is the direct result of something they are doing wrong. They may feel that if they only worked harder or didn’t let things bother them as much, then they wouldn’t experience the levels of anxiety they are feeling. While sometimes this is true, other times anxiety is not the result of anything done by the individual at all.

But for some people anxiety is not situational and it is chronic and persistent. For these individuals, their anxiety is not centered on a particular event or idea, but rather is all-encompassing. When this occurs, many times people will need to seek professional help in order to better cope with their anxieties and learn how to move past them.

What Do Anxiety and Addiction Look Like?

When anxiety is left unchecked it can sometimes lead to substance abuse issues. This is because the person will attempt to self-medicate in order to deal with their anxiety. This may work for a time. The person may find that using substances or drinking alcohol helps them manage their anxiety levels and function better. But the issue is, if they also suffer from addiction, this will eventually lead to further problems down the road.

They may find that the amount they need to use in order to stave off their anxiety increases with time, which may lead to them having to take dangerous amounts of the drug in order to combat their anxiety. They may also find that certain drugs stop working in regards to helping them with their anxiety. When this happens, they may have to switch to harder drugs that are more addictive and doing so can present a plethora of other problems. Anxiety, in this case, becomes a co-occurring disorder.

How Can Dual Diagnosis Help with Anxiety?

We know that in order for a person to experience long-term and healthy recovery, any and all underlying issues must be dealt with. So if one of our clients has been experiencing anxiety their entire life, we understand that this issue must be addressed during the course of their treatment so that they do not wind up in a position where they are so overwhelmed with anxiety that a drink or drug seems like a viable option.

Through the use of individual and medication if necessary, we offer our clients the ability to finally get a handle on their anxiety, all while dealing with their addiction issues. In the past, these issues were viewed separately in the addiction treatment field, but as our understanding of addiction and other mental health issues has progressed, we have begun to learn just how important it is to address both simultaneously.

So if you have tried to get sober in the past and your anxiety kept you from achieving this goal, do not give up just yet, help is right around the corner We can help you finally overcome your addiction and finally deal with the anxiousness you have felt for far too long.

Part 2: What Do Bipolar Disorder and Addiction Look Like?

Sometimes referred to as manic-depressive disorder, bipolar disorder affects approximately 4.4 percent of American adults at some point in their lives. Research shows that these individuals are also more likely to develop an addiction. While studying patients with bipolar disorder, it’s been found that those with mania are 14 times more likely to have a drug abuse disorder and six times more likely to suffer from alcoholism.

Unfortunately, addiction can exacerbate symptoms of bipolar disorder. In short, this is what co-occurring disorders do with one another, which is why it’s important to seek treatment. When you participate in an evidence-based, dual-diagnosis program, there is a much higher likelihood that your addiction recovery will be for the long-run.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder causes extreme mood swings, which include emotional highs (known as mania) and debilitating lows (depression). For those affected, when they become depressed, they feel sad and lose interest in activities they typically enjoy. Once their mood shifts to a state of mania, they feel energized and euphoric. However, they can also become irritable.

It’s important to note that there are several types of bipolar disorder, including bipolar I, bipolar II, and bipolar induced by drug or alcohol use. Although you should always seek the assistance of a trained professional in order to reach a diagnosis, here are some of the warning signs and symptoms associated with bipolar during stages of mania or hypomania:

• Increased energy and activity
• Talkative
• Distractible
• Racing thoughts
• Reduced need for sleep
• Unusually upbeat

During stages of major depression:

• Depressed mood
• A loss of interest in activities
• Changes in weight
• Either sleeping too much or sleeping too little
• Restlessness
• Poor concentration

Start Your Healing Journey Today

At Life Recovery, each individual will receive a personalized treatment plan, tailored to their unique needs. For example, it is not uncommon for individuals with bipolar disorder to have other mental health conditions, including eating disorders, psychosis, anxiety disorders, ADHD, or substance use disorders. Moreover, our treatment programs are evidence-based and holistic. We aim to treat you as a whole, focusing on healing your body and mind.

If you’re struggling with co-occurring disorders like anxiety and bipolar disorders, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional at Lifetime Recovery today. Your road to healing can begin as soon as you take the first step.