What is a co-occurring disorder?

The co-existence of a mental disease and a substance use disorder is referred to as a co-occurring disorder. The same person may experience two or more disorders or illnesses. That could be a single addiction or psychiatric disorder or a single mental health disorder and/or substance use disorder.

According to research, over 50% of persons who develop a substance use disorder in their lifetime also have a co-occurring mental disorder, and the opposite is also true. Depression, bipolar illness, schizophrenia, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and anxiety disorders are a few examples of co-occurring disorders.

Effective Co Occurring Disorders Treatment

In general, treating co-occurring disorders jointly rather than separately leads to more effective management of the diseases. This implies that patients seeking treatment for both substance use disorders and other mental disorders must have their healthcare professional assess them for each disorder.

According to a renowned addiction treatment center in South Carolina, given the challenge of making an accurate diagnosis in co-occurring disease treatment due to overlapping symptoms, the healthcare provider needs to use very comprehensive tools to reduce the chance of a missed diagnosis. That serves as the foundation for efficient treatment of co-occurring diseases.

According to Drug Rehab Charleston, a person's unique mix of co-occurring disorders and symptoms should be taken into account while developing a treatment plan for co-occurring diseases.

A top drug rehab in Columbia, SC observes that other considerations for choosing combinations of therapies and medications for effective co-occurring disease treatment include the person’s age, the misused substance, and the specific mental disorders noted.

Behavioral therapies for effective co-occurring diseases treatment

Research has established that a number of behavioral therapies offer promising results for treating individuals with co-occurring substance use and mental disorders. Healthcare professionals may advise behavioral therapy alone or in combination with drugs for the treatment of co-occurring diseases.

The following are a few behavioral therapies that medical professionals may recommend for the successful management of co-occurring diseases:

1. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

By challenging irrational thinking and altering actions, cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of talk therapy that aims to assist people learn how to deal with their problematic situations.

2. Dialectical behavioral therapy (CBT)

Dialectical behavioral therapy makes use of the ideas of acceptance and mindfulness, or being conscious of and sensitive to the present circumstances and emotional state of an individual. Additionally, this kind of therapy offers techniques for managing emotions, decreasing damaging behaviors like suicidal thoughts, and enhancing interpersonal connections.

3. Contingency Management

By rewarding desired activities, contingency management principles promote positive behaviors.

4. Therapeutic Communities

The goal of therapeutic communities, which is a type of long-term residential treatment program, is to assist individuals in acquiring new, healthier values, attitudes, and behaviors.

5. Assertive Community Treatment

Assertive Community Treatment is a form of community-based mental health care that places a strong emphasis on community outreach and tailored treatment plans.

6. Multisystemic Therapy

Multisystemic therapy targets the key factors associated with the observed anti-social behavior in adolescents with substance use disorders.

7. Multidimensional Family Therapy

In order to simultaneously treat a variety of interrelated teenage problem behaviors, such as substance abuse, mental illnesses, academic difficulties, and criminality, multidimensional family therapy works with the entire family.

Need help to deal with co-occurring disorders?

If you need help with co-occurring disorders, The Owl’s Nest has amazing programs to help you. You can email them, call them at (843) 396-5438, or click herefor further directions.