Overcoming dual diagnosis takes more than just initial treatment at a facility that helps you detox from substances and go through a comprehensive, coordinated, and integrated treatment plan that treats substance abuse and mental health disorder simultaneously. Maybe, you initially entered treatment just to overcome an alcohol or drug addiction and did not mention PTSD.
It likely was soon discovered. Hopefully, you received treatment at a dual diagnosis treatment facility staffed and equipped to handle the dual diagnosis. If not, and you only received treatment for one, let’s say substance abuse, now it is time to get help for your mental health disorder at a dual diagnosis treatment center in Texas.
If you did receive concurrent treatment, while you may have had better success in overcoming substance abuse, you still should continue counseling to get more comfortable in managing the other part of your dual diagnosis – your mental health disorder.
Why is continuing counseling so important? Studies show that people with mental illnesses recover – and many recover completely. But this does take time – and continued support in the form of counseling. Recovery refers to the way in which you are able to live, work, learn and participate fully in your community. For some, recovery means the ability to live a fully productive life. For others, recovery is more a matter of reduction or elimination of symptoms. Integral to your recovery is hope – without hope, there is a slim chance of effective recovery.
Counseling can be done with therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers. You will also learn to make use of self-help strategies and how to benefit from support groups. Combined with some of the most advanced medications now available, recovery from dual diagnosis is not only possible – it is more likely than ever.
It is critically important that you do not isolate yourself. No one in recovery does themselves any favors by hiding away from loved ones and friends. In fact, whether you are in recovery from drug or alcohol abuse or from dual diagnosis, you need people now more than ever.
Start by solidifying your family ties. If you have had a falling out with loved ones due to one or both of your illnesses, try to repair and rebuild the relationship. It might be very difficult talking about your illness with loved ones or really close friends, but these are the very people who know you the best and care about you the most. They can give you much-needed support and encouragement as you continue to make progress in your recovery.
It will not happen if you clam up and keep your distance. You do need to make an effort to reach out and ask for help. Express your appreciation for their encouragement and support, and go out of your way to be part of activities with family and close friends.
There are a number of agencies and programs that support people with mental health problems, just as there are those that support persons in recovery from substance abuse. Wherever you start, you are likely to find information that is helpful or links that lead to even more resources.
