There are an estimated 8 million people in the United States who suffer with co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders, also known as a dual diagnosis. People who suffer with a mental health disorder, whether properly diagnosed or not, are more likely than those who don't to have some type of substance abuse disorder. This can sometimes be difficult to asses and treat, and if either one of them are left untreated both can be very damaging 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 to work on the co-occurring disorders concurrently, this can be prevented and clients in Williamstown with co-occurring disorders can be productive and live happily.
With increased awareness, research and innovation in the field of co-occurring disorders has come a more wide range of treatment services for these clients. Early diagnosis can be key in these situations, and many people with co-occurring disorders may seek primary care services first before seeking behavioral health services. This offers primary care physicians an unique opportunity to identify people 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 non dual-diagnosis client, services that are usually provided in hospital, inpatient, and residential rehab programs which can assist with the initial stabilization process to get them detoxed and off of any drugs and medications they need to stop taking immediately. Clinicians and treatment specialists work with clients in these settings to treat both disorders simultaneously with behavioral therapy, counseling, and mental health services, and before program completion develop a sturdy relapse prevention and aftercare plan to ensure these clients don't quickly relapse due to either disorder being activated.
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