There are an estimated 8 million people in the United States who struggle with co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders, also known as a dual diagnosis. Individuals who suffer with a mental health disorder, regardless of whether it has been properly diagnosed or not, are more likely than those who don't to have some type of substance abuse disorder. This can be challenging to asses and treat, and if either one of them are left untreated both can be very detrimental for the person, leaving them vulnerable to physical, mental and social consequences. Consequences in these special cases can be very serious, at times leading to homelessness, suicide, legal consequences and premature death. With proper diagnosis and specialized treatment methods to work on the co-occurring disorders at the same time, this can be prevented and clients in Columbia with co-occurring disorders can be productive and live happily.
With increased awareness, research and innovation in the field of treatment for co-occurring substance abuse disorders has come a more wide range of services for these clients. Early diagnosis can be key in these circumstances, and many people with co-occurring disorders may seek primary care services first before looking for behavioral health services. This offers primary care physicians a special opportunity to diagnose individuals with co-occurring disorders through screening and then referral to the appropriate treatment resources.
People with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders need a more extensive array of services than the typical treatment client, services that are commonly offered in hospital and residential programs which can provide services for the initial stabilization process to get them detoxed and off of any drugs and medications they need to stop using immediately. Doctors and therapists work with clients in these settings to treat both issues simultaneously with counseling, behavioral therapy, and mental health services, and before program completion develop a strong relapse prevention and aftercare plan to make sure these clients don't immediately relapse due to either disorder being triggered.
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