Dual diagnosis refers to the co-occurrence of both a substance use and mental health disorder. If you care about someone who has dual diagnosis, you may be wondering how you can best support them. This is a challenging condition to live with at first, but it does get better. People generally do very well when they receive dual diagnosis treatment in Arizona.
While there are several different reasons for why substance use and mental illness often co-occur together, the main one has to do with self-medication. When a person suffers from depression or anxiety, they’re more likely to turn to substances to help them cope. Drugs and alcohol can help them forget about their pain or numb their emotions.
With dual diagnosis treatment, a person receives treatment and therapy for both conditions at the same time. This leads to the best outcomes. But, there are plenty of things you can do as well to strengthen your connection with your loved one and help them continue on the path to recovery. Let’s explore what they are.
Educate Yourself
There is no substitute for education. Take some time to learn about what dual diagnosis is, what your loved one is going through and how to best support them. You can learn about dual diagnosis through your own research, as well as from support groups, mental health organizations and the Arizona drug rehab your loved one is attending.
When people are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they may act irrationally. You may have been hurt by your loved one, but it’s important to know that they are hurting on the inside. Educating yourself on dual diagnosis can help you better understand their behaviors and develop more realistic expectations.
Encourage Treatment
Always encourage your loved one to seek treatment for their substance use and mental health issues. Hopefully, your loved one is receiving help now, but if they aren’t, you’ll want to continue encouraging them. Also familiarize yourself with enabling and codependency behavior to make sure you are not doing this.
Dual diagnosis is best treated with a combination of therapy and medication. The treatment plan depends on the mental health issue, the severity of the substance use and other factors. A reputable treatment center will put together a tailored treatment plan that addresses your loved one’s unique background and diagnosis.
When your loved one returns home from drug rehab in AZ, continue supporting them. While they may no longer be in inpatient or outpatient treatment, they should still be attending their support groups and therapy sessions.
Be Patient
Recovery is a process, and it can take time. Be patient with your loved one, and don’t expect immediate change. If you do this, you’ll set yourself up for disappointment and frustration. Remember, your loved one is recovering from not one but two different conditions.
Also keep in mind that recovery can be a bumpy road. Very rarely do people in recovery move fluently through the healing journey. There are often setbacks, such as relapse, that can happen. If and when they do, be prepared to help your loved one get back on track with their goals.
Set and Enforce Boundaries
Be prepared to set boundaries – you will need them. This can include things like not enabling substance use or setting limits on behaviors that are harmful to your loved one and others. Many of the families we work with start with simple but important boundaries they know they can stick to, such as not giving their loved one money and expecting them to be home by curfew.
Boundaries can be difficult to set, especially if you haven’t been strong in this before. But they are crucial to maintaining a healthy relationship. If your loved one can’t follow your rules, be ready to take action. You may have to ask them to leave your home, for example.
Take Care of Yourself
Supporting someone with a dual diagnosis can be emotionally and physically draining. Take care of your needs by making sure you eat well, get enough sleep and exercise regularly. Also make time for friends and hobbies, and consider joining a support group. The stronger you are, the better you can be patient, loving and accepting – yet firm. Things like setting boundaries require energy.
Celebrate Milestones
A great way to let your loved one know that you support them is by celebrating milestones. Recovery is a process, and every step forward is worth celebrating. Doing this keeps your minds focused on the positive aspects of recovery and boosts your loved one’s confidence and motivation to continue on the path to recovery.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Prescott, AZ
When you know someone who has a dual diagnosis, it’s only natural that you want to love and support them. However, this is a challenging journey with many ups and downs. It’s important to be prepared for the process, practice self-care and seek support from others.
Wolf Creek Recovery is an outpatient treatment facility with a Family Therapy Program. Contact our admissions department to learn more about this program and how it can support you and your loved ones through dual diagnosis.
