How Rehab Centers in Los Angeles Understand The Link Between Substance Use and Co-Occurring Mental Disorders

When you spend time in a rehab center in Los Angeles, you want assurance that the staff understands your specific needs. For many people with a substance abuse disorder, there is also a co-occurring mental health disorder. Finding recovery support that knows how to treat you for the best results is imperative for your healthy recovery. Use this guide to learn what you need to know about the link between mental health and substance use.

What is a Co-Occuring Disorder?
A substance use disorder is one that affects the way a person’s brain works, as well as the behaviors they exhibit. The condition makes a person unable to control their use of substances, which includes drugs, alcohol and/or prescription medications. There is a spectrum of severity, with addiction being on the high end. In many cases, a person with a substance use disorder also suffers from a mental health diagnosis and vice versa. This includes bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and others. Understanding the diagnosis is a huge part of creating a successful treatment plan for every patient.
 
Why Do These Disorders Occur Together?
While people might have both a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder, one does not always cause the other. There are three possibilities as to why they often occur at the same time:

They have similar risk factors.
Addiction may be self-medicating for mental health symptoms.
Substance use contributes to the development of mental health disorders.
 
How are Co-Occurring Disorders Treated?
For most patients, the best course of action when for co-occurring disorders is to treat them together, rather than separately. A good doctor should make a firm diagnosis since some symptoms are the same for both disorders, which allows your recovery team to create the right treatment plan for your specific needs. This might include medication, therapy, and other treatment methods, designed for the individual.

Examples of Behavior Therapy You Might See at a Rehab Center in Los Angeles
In many cases, the staff at a substance use recovery center includes mental health professionals who are trained with treating co-occurring disorders. Behavioral therapy is often used in conjunction with medication and other forms of treatment and may include one or more of the following:

Cognitive behavioral therapy
Dialectical behavior therapy
Assertive community treatment
Therapeutic communities
Contingency management
 
Examples of Medications Used in Rehab
There are several medications that are used to help people gain sobriety from drugs and alcohol. Most often they are used in conjunction with therapeutic techniques. In some cases, these meds are also combined with those used to treat co-occurring mental health disorders. For the best success, it’s important to take any prescribed medications according to the doctor’s instructions.
 
When you choose a rehab center in Los Angeles, it’s a good idea to find out their approach to treating co-occurring mental health disorders. Canon Human Services Centers, Inc. is here to help. Contact us today to find out more about our program and how it can help you on the journey to sobriety and recovery.

Time to Contact Your Addiction Treatment Center: 5 Signs You’re Heading For Relapse

For many people recovering from addiction, relapse is part of the journey. Keeping in mind that a substance abuse disorder is a disease, it makes sense that it might flare from time to time. However, the ultimate goal is permanent sobriety and that means knowing when the risk is there so that you can get help before it becomes a bigger problem. Below are the top 5 signs that it’s time to get in touch with your addiction treatment center to prevent a relapse.

New Life Stresses or Challenges
Everyone goes through stressful times or challenges in their life, but these can be especially tricky if you’re in recovery from a substance abuse disorder. This might be the death of a loved one or a breakup. These can even be parts of life that are positive, but that create stress as you make a transition. Examples include a new job or a new house. In either case, the responsibilities and emotions associated with the change put you at risk for a relapse, so it’s important to get help before it’s too late.

Backing Away From Recovery
Recovery is an ongoing process and something that is likely to be part of your life forever. That means sticking with your recovery efforts. Deprioritizing this work can send you back to unhealthy habits and could cause a relapse. It’s vital to include recovery efforts as part of  your normal routine, even when life gets busy.
 
Exchanging Your Addiction for Something Else
Many people make the mistake of replacing their addiction to drugs or alcohol with something else, often an activity or hobby they deem “better than drugs or alcohol.” If you find yourself spending unhealthy amounts of time playing video games, you are choosing unhealthy foods more often than not, or you’re doing anything else you have a hard time stepping away from, this is an indicator that you need backup from your addiction treatment center.

Giving Yourself a Reward
Celebrating your progress is an important part of recovery, but if you are rewarding yourself with alcohol or drugs, even in small amounts, you aren’t sober and are putting yourself on the path to relapse. Yes, you should acknowledge your milestones during recovery, but it should be in a healthy and sober way, such as lunch with a friend or a new book at your favorite bookstore.

Contact Your Addiction Treatment Center if You Have Unhealthy Social Habits
Your environment and the people you spend time with absolutely have an impact on your sobriety. If you find yourself gravitating toward situations and friends from before your recovery, chances are higher that you’ll slip back into old habits. In that case, getting help can prevent a relapse.

Your addiction treatment center is an imperative part of your recovery and staying in contact with us long term is important. If you feel that you are about to relapse, contact Canon Human Services Centers, Inc. today and we can help you stay on track with your sobriety and recovery journey.