There are millions of people around the world living with mental health and addiction issues. Unfortunately, it is common for individuals suffering from mental disorders to lean on drugs or alcohol to help them cope. Georgetown Behavioral Hospital is a Cincinnati addiction rehab that acknowledges the relationship between addiction and mental health.
Addiction and Mental Health: What’s the Connection?
In the last year, over 20 million people were diagnosed with a substance use disorder, and a National Survey on Drug Use and Health completed in 2020 showed that over 40 million people ages 12 and older reported having a substance use disorder in the preceding year. More concerningly, as many as half of them may have a co-occurring mental health disorder that never receives treatment.
How does that happen? In many cases, mental health and addiction are closely related. For example, someone with anxiety may drink to temporarily ease their symptoms, or someone with a drug problem could become depressed as their quality of life degrades. In either case, each condition worsens the other, building on each other to the detriment of the individual.
And sadly, many addiction treatment centers only treat addiction, just like most mental health centers only address mental illness. But with the right Cincinnati addiction rehab, it’s possible to get treatment for both co-occurring disorders simultaneously. Not only does this make it easier to understand addiction in a person, but it is associated with better treatment outcomes and long-term sobriety.
Why Is Quitting Drugs and Alcohol So Hard?
Some people think that since they chose to start drinking or taking drugs, they can as easily decide to stop. Unfortunately, it’s not that easy. Prolonged periods of alcohol and drug use can change a person’s brain’s response to substances, and quitting them doesn’t necessarily mean the brain will return to normal. This change in a brain’s chemistry is what causes addicts to relapse.
Addiction is a disease, and sustained drug and alcohol use can cause lasting physical damage to the brain. Continuous substance use can irreparably affect regions in the brain known for judgment, decision-making, learning, and memory. After a while, this drug-seeking behavior becomes habitual, leading users to become addicted. For these reasons, someone with a substance use disorder may display some of the following behaviors:
- Feeling the need to use drugs daily and multiple times a day
- Urges so strong they cannot think of anything else
- Spending money they do not have on the drug
- Choosing drugs/alcohol over responsibilities
- Recognizing there is a problem but continuing to use anyway
And unfortunately, these behaviors do not usually go away on their own. Rather, individuals may need help quitting drugs and alcohol at a licensed Cincinnati addiction rehab.
Detoxing from Drugs and Alcohol at a Cincinnati Addiction Rehab
Many individuals attempt an at-home detox because most withdrawal symptoms are not life-threatening. However, there are side effects that can be mentally or physically dangerous. Because of this, we strongly recommend that individuals seeking substance use treatment do so under medical supervision at a licensed Cincinnati addiction rehab to help keep you safe as you experience withdrawals.
Common drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms include:
- Anger or hostility
- Fatigue and lethargy
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Extreme hunger
- Intense cravings
- Headaches
- Trouble sleeping or excessive sleeping
- Auditory and visual hallucinations
The symptoms of withdrawal vary from person to person; some people may experience all or only a few of those listed above. At our Cincinnati addiction rehab, we have the tools and resources to help people through the withdrawal process.
Our medical detox program offers 24/7 supervision from highly trained medical professionals who are always ready to help keep you comfortable and safe throughout the detoxification process. This level of support is critical to helping manage patients’ withdrawal symptoms and keeping them safe and comfortable during detoxification.
But addiction treatment does not end with detoxification. To truly recover from a substance use disorder, most people need inpatient addiction treatment program like the one provided at our Cincinnati addiction rehab.
Inpatient Dual Diagnosis Care
Anyone battling a co-occurring mental health condition and substance use disorder should consider a rehab that offers dual diagnosis treatment. A dual diagnosis rehab merges the benefits of traditional mental health treatment with addiction treatment. With dual diagnosis rehab, not only is a patient treating the symptoms of their mental health condition, but they are also getting help with their addiction.
It is common for people who have a mental illness to rely on drugs or alcohol to make themselves feel better. Some individuals might not even realize they have an underlying condition until they seek help for their addiction. A dual diagnosis disorder is having a substance abuse problem along with disorders such as:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Depression
- Bipolar Disorder
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Schizophrenia
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Sadly, many individuals with a co-occurring disorder find it challenging to get the treatment they need. Throughout history, there have been facilities that treat either mental health issues or addiction but not both simultaneously. Our Cincinnati addiction rehab does both, so people can get the help they deserve. With cognitive behavioral therapy, group therapy, relapse prevention planning, and other evidence-based treatments, we are ready to help you get and stay sober.
Cincinnati Addiction Rehab Dual Diagnosis Assessment
At Georgetown Behavioral Hospital, we use integrated treatment programs to simultaneously assess and treat co-occurring disorders. Our evidence-based treatments are designed to help people with long-term recovery.
Our drug and alcohol addiction treatment center encourages you to seek help. Our recovery programs and support groups are designed with those suffering from co-occurring disorders in mind. If you or a loved one is in need of a dual diagnosis facility, Georgetown Behavioral Hospital will help you by providing group therapy, social support, non-stop care, and medication management.
Are you struggling with a co-occurring disorder? Get help at our Cincinnati addiction rehab by filling out our confidential contact form or calling our admissions team at 937-483-4930.
