Dual Diagnosis
Addressing Co-Occurring Disorders at Augustine Recovery
Specialized Care for Men Facing Dual Diagnosis of Addiction and Mental Health Challenges
Augustine Recovery is a long-term treatment center for co-occurring disorders, also known as dual diagnosis. This is when someone is dealing with an addiction and additional mental health disorders at the same time. Augustine Recovery specializes in an integrated approach, combining therapies for both conditions to promote long-term recovery.
Understanding Dual Diagnosis
Dual diagnosis refers to the coexistence of a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder. These conditions often fuel each other, creating a cycle that’s hard to break without professional support.
Some of the common examples of a dual diagnosis include:
- Alcohol use may mask untreated depression.
- Anxiety might worsen due to stimulant or drug use.
- PTSD symptoms can drive reliance on substances for temporary relief.
Breaking free requires more than treating the symptoms—it demands a holistic approach to uncovering and addressing the root causes of both issues.
Dual Diagnosis: Did You Know?
Prevalence
Nearly 50% of individuals with a substance use disorder also have a co-occurring mental health disorder, such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD.
Symptom Overlap
Addiction and mental health conditions share symptoms like mood swings, anxiety, and impaired decision-making, complicating diagnosis and treatment.
Relapse Risk
Without treating both conditions, the risk of relapse in substance use or worsening mental health symptoms increases significantly.
Understanding the Differences and Similarities Between Addiction and Mental Health Issues
Addiction and mental health issues often overlap, but they are distinct challenges.
Statements like “He always gets depressed when he’s drinking” or “Everyone gets anxious; stop making that excuse” oversimplify the complicated nature of a dual diagnosis. While both issues in a dual diagnosis impair the brain, they are not all the same.
- Addiction involves a physical or psychological dependency on substances.
- Mental health disorders like anxiety or depression affect mood, thinking, and behavior.
- Personality disorders are a subset of mental health issues that involve enduring patterns of thought, emotion, and behavior that deviate from societal norms. This can lead to difficulties in relationships and self-regulation, thereby contributing to or exacerbating addiction.
- Trauma- and stressor-related disorders develop only after a person experiences trauma or an intense stressor. PTSD is an example of this type of disorder.
Conditions can fuel each other—addiction may mask mental health symptoms, and untreated mental health issues can lead to substance use as a coping mechanism. The similarity? Both require compassionate, professional care for lasting recovery.
At Augustine Recovery, we specialize in treating co-occurring disorders. We offer men the tools to address both conditions and rebuild a balanced, fulfilling life. Our long-term treatment structure provides the time needed to address underlying mental health issues, develop healthier coping strategies, and build a solid foundation for lasting recovery through consistent support and practice.
How We Identify Co-Occurring Disorders at Augustine Recovery
At Augustine Recovery, we take a comprehensive and compassionate approach to uncovering dual diagnosis. Our team begins with a thorough assessment, exploring each individual’s mental health history, substance use patterns, and any underlying trauma or stressors.
Using evidence-based screening tools and in-depth interviews, we identify co-occurring conditions that may be fueling addiction or creating emotional instability.
By focusing on the whole person—not just the symptoms—we ensure no issue is overlooked. This careful process allows us to create tailored treatment plans that address both the addiction and the mental health challenges, setting the foundation for true, lasting healing.
Long-Term Treatment for Dual Diagnosis
At Augustine Recovery, we believe that long-term and ongoing care for dual diagnoses is crucial to living a healthy, sober life. That’s why our programs last a minimum of 90 days and offer an array of post-inpatient care options.
Dual diagnosis treatments we offer through our compassionate and expert staff include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
- Trauma awareness, therapy, and recovery
- Behavior modification and emotion management training
- Twelve-step facilitation
- Gender-specific programming
- Weekly psychiatric consultations
- Group meetings
- Fitness and outdoor excursions
- Integrated family program
- Expressive and experiential therapy
At Augustine Recovery, men with dual diagnoses are treated with a tailored approach that recognizes the unique ways addiction and mental health conditions affect men. The program fosters an environment where individuals feel understood and supported, free from societal pressures that often discourage vulnerability.
Why Integrated Treatment for Co-Occurring Disorders Matters
Dual diagnosis isn’t just about treating addiction and mental health separately—it’s about healing the whole person.
Addiction and untreated mental health conditions can take a serious toll on physical health, contributing to issues like:
- Cardiovascular issues like hypertension, arrhythmias, and cardiomyopathy.
- Weakened immune function due to strains the conditions put on the body, increasing stress hormones and inflammation. This leaves individuals more vulnerable to infections and illnesses.
- Chronic pain can be exacerbated as untreated mental health issues may heighten pain perception, and substance use often worsens underlying physical conditions.
- Sleep disorders can develop due to the disruption of sleep patterns, leading to insomnia or sleep apnea, which further harms overall health.
- Gastrointestinal issues contribute to digestive problems such as ulcers, acid reflux, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) brought on by substance use and stress.
At Augustine Recovery, our integrated approach addresses both conditions, recognizing how addiction and mental health are deeply connected. We also help clients on a path to physical healing by providing nutritional meals that limit sugar and flour and focus on organic and nutritionally beneficial meals.
Physical fitness is a key part of feeling better, and that’s why everyone at Augustine Recovery sees a personal trainer and has exercise as part of their long-term recovery treatment.
This method supports recovery and restores emotional balance and physical health, creating a stronger foundation for long-term success. By addressing the root causes and building healthy life skills, we help men reclaim their lives and rebuild a future full of possibility.
Dual Diagnosis FAQs
Is addiction a mental illness?
Yes, addiction is a mental illness because it affects brain function, altering reward, motivation, and decision-making processes. Classified as a chronic disease of the brain by the American Medical Association, it shares traits with other mental health disorders, such as compulsive behaviors and emotional dysregulation, requiring professional treatment to address its psychological and neurological impacts.
What is the most effective treatment for dual diagnosis?
The most effective treatment for dual diagnosis is integrated treatment, which addresses both the substance use disorder and the co-occurring mental health condition simultaneously. Ideally, the treatment is held in a long-term treatment facility, like Augustine Recovery, with ongoing care in the months and years to follow.
More About IOP and Continuing Care
Can dual diagnosis mean more than two mental health issues?
Yes, dual diagnosis can involve more than two mental health issues. While it typically refers to a substance use disorder alongside one mental health condition, individuals may also have additional disorders, such as anxiety, PTSD, or personality disorders. Comprehensive treatment addresses all co-occurring conditions for holistic healing and recovery.
How can I help someone who is dealing with a dual diagnosis?
Augustine Recovery emphasizes the importance of family involvement in the recovery journey. Loved ones play a vital role in supporting someone with a dual diagnosis before, during, and after treatment.
- Before treatment, they can encourage seeking professional help and offer emotional support.
- During treatment, participating in family therapy or education programs can strengthen understanding and rebuild trust.
- After treatment, maintaining a supportive and stable environment, encouraging continued therapy, and fostering open communication are key to promoting long-term recovery and healing.
Recovery Is One Phone Call Away
If you’re ready to face your addiction to alcohol, or if you have questions about alcohol addiction for a loved one, give us a call at (904) 217-0480. You can speak directly to one of our alcohol treatment specialists and learn more about our facility, our professional staff, alcohol treatment options, insurance, and more.
