admin Having both mental health issues and substance abuse problems makes recovery even more difficult. When only one issue is treated, it usually results in a relapse or worsening symptoms. For individuals with these florid issues, choosing a dual diagnosis center Bakersfield is important for them to have a meaningful and lasting recovery.
Dual diagnosis care helps patients fully grasp their issues and treat them psychologically and substance-wise so that they may rebuild their lives with clarity, stability, and support. The complete dual diagnosis programs in Bakersfield are built around evidence-based practices, equipped with compassionate and dedicated employees, and integrated approaches for patients to help them regain control and find hope once again.
In this guide, we will highlight the unique aspects of dual diagnosis treatment and explore the reasons that make integrated care the gold standard for individuals with co-occurring disorders.
Understanding the Benefits of Choosing a Dual Diagnosis Center Bakersfield
Moving along the recovery path, for some individuals, it isn’t always apparent which issue developed first, the mental health disorder or the addiction. Someone who is depressed may seek to self-medicate with alcohol, and anxiety can lead a person to alcohol. Trauma can make a person more vulnerable to drug use. Paranoia, unstable mood, and other severe insecurities can be triggered by addiction.
Understanding the importance of a dual diagnosis center in Bakersfield is critical because of this overlap. When these issues have a simultaneous impact, it is important to treat them together so that neither disorder exacerbates the other.
At integrated facilities, clinicians are trained to go beyond mere symptoms, uncovering the root issues and identifying the triggers, which helps design a path for treatment that incorporates and sustains long-term progress. Each patient is cared for by a multidisciplinary team comprising integrated disorder specialists, which includes a psychiatrist, a therapist, a medical professional, and a case manager, all focusing on the same patient.
Patients without this integrated approach run the risk of receiving fragmented care. Understanding the complexity of each condition is pivotal, which is what sets dual diagnosis treatment apart from traditional rehab programs.
Evidence-Based Therapies Used in a Dual Diagnosis Center Bakersfield
Inevitably, the recovery path for each patient is distinct, which is why dual diagnosis treatment uses an array of therapies tailored for each patient’s specific mental and addiction issues.
Practitioners utilize a range of scientifically proven methods to aid patients in achieving emotional stability, changing negative thought patterns, and developing more adaptive behaviors. The most efficacious of these methods consists of the following:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Provides patients with the means of identifying detrimental thinking patterns and teaches them how to supplant negative behaviors with positive ones.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) – Equips patients with skills for emotional regulation, tolerance of distress, constructive communication, and mindfulness.
- Trauma-Informed Therapy – Important therapy for people with PTSD, prior abuse, and chronic stress.
- Motivational Interviewing (MI) – Focuses on building internal motivation and encouraging people to actively engage with their recovery.
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) – Aims to control mood, improve cravings, and replenish any missing neurochemicals.
One of the best things about treatment at a dual diagnosis center Bakersfield is the mindful incorporation of all these techniques. Clinicians do not focus on and treat symptoms in isolation. Instead, they incorporate various therapies to treat the emotional, cognitive, physical, and behavioral aspects of a patient all at once.
Patients not only learn how to stop using a substance, but they also learn to control their mental health for a long time after they finish the program.
The Importance of Accurate Diagnosis and Assessment
Entering treatment is a challenging step for many people. For some, treatment begins with the long and arduous journey of self-discovery to truly understand what it is they are struggling with. This is invaluable and often the most important step in the recovery process. The lack of access to trained professionals makes it all the more important to have a deep understanding of co-occurring disorders. This is because, left unchecked, these disorders can mask one another.
Irritability can be a sign of anxiety. Anger can be a symptom of depression. Addiction can cause impulsivity just as bipolar disorder does. A mood disorder can mask PTSD.
Systems that omit the full range of symptoms can oversimplify the understanding a clinician has of a patient, directly leading to the silencing of unique voices, misdiagnoses, and inappropriate treatment. The more tailored and unique a treatment is, the greater the opportunity for lasting recovery.
Gaining an accurate assessment does take time, focused consideration, and discernment. Guided assessment, repeated observations, and evaluation as time passes are the methods that will define the assessment process. The Bakersfield dual diagnosis assessor will tell you that the complete psych profile has been built by considering advanced assessment tools, clinically assessed neurology, psychiatric evaluation, as well as the complete history of substance use.
This work will serve as a blueprint that will inform every subsequent decision, possible medications, and all the methods that are used during therapy, as well as the coping tools and relapse prevention methods.
How Integrated Care Supports Lasting Recovery
Integrated care is when emotional and psychological issues are resolved as part of the addiction treatment plan. Integrated care allows for the emotional and psychological issues that may compromise sobriety and permits the integration of control strategies regarding triggers, such as:
- Stress and intense feelings
- Conflicts in relationships
- Reminders of trauma
- Feelings of fear, panic, or anxiety
- Feelings of loneliness or despair
- Surroundings
Restoring balance by strengthening one’s coping mechanisms, improving emotional regulation, and insight into one’s mental illness is a part of integrated care. These principles of integrated care empower the patient to control their disorder, even when faced with intense challenges.
The Role of Medication in Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment
For some patients with a dual diagnosis, medication is an essential component of treatment. When prescribed properly, medication can:
- Help control an individual’s mood.
- Reduce hyperactivity and attention issues.
- Help with anxiety.
- Assist in sleep.
- Help with focus and clarity.
- Prevent relapse.
- Reduce cravings.
- Help with mood stabilizing.
- Treatment of anxiety and depression.
- Treatment of substance use disorder.
- Assist with cravings.
Medications help with reinforcing the therapeutic process. Patients in a dual diagnosis facility collaborate with a psychiatrist who prescribes and manages medication so that it is safe and tolerable. Instruction and Behavioral Assumption focus, supported therapy, and a positive environment are combined with medication to complete the treatment scope.
Trauma and Its Connection to Dual Diagnosis
Trauma is one of the common issues faced by people in dual diagnosis treatment. Trauma can be associated with staying with a loved one, violence, feelings of neglect, or prolonged adverse stress.
Abused substances are one of the ways some people try to cope with painful flashbacks and emotional numbness. Trauma also leads some people to develop anxiety and depression.
—To make clients feel comfortable and respected during treatment, dual diagnosis programs use trauma-informed care. Therapists take care not to re-trigger clients when helping them regain control over their thoughts and emotions.
For long-term recovery, trauma healing is vital.
Life Skills and Relapse-Prevention Training
Recovery is not defined by treatment. The success of recovery is defined by the patient’s ability to use the coping skills learned in treatment to manage daily substance-using triggers and daily life stress, relationships, and responsibilities.
Real-life dual diagnosis centers prepare patients with recovery-oriented life skills to better manage:
- Stress
- Healthy communication
- Routines and organizations
- Mindfulness and grounding
- Working and/or vocational plans
- Crisis plan
- Boundary control
- Emotional and social skills
To help personalize relapse prevention, patients are encouraged to discuss and identify triggers, coping strategies, high-risk situations, and post-discharge support.
This training and support enable patients to leave treatment with confidence in their skills and with the support they need.
Family Involvement and Education
Loved ones of patients, particularly family, should be included in the healing process. The patient’s family should be included in the healing process and educated on the mental health condition.
Most dual diagnosis centers also provide:
- Family therapy.
- Educational workshops.
- Support groups.
- Communication training.
Including family members helps rebuild trust, repair bonds, and create a safe space for sobriety.
When everyone in a family fully understands enabling, supporting, and empowering, there are benefits for all.
Aftercare and Continuing Support
When a patient completes residential or outpatient treatment, it’s the start of a new stage in life, although the support is not over. Aftercare is a crucial part of dual diagnosis support and consists of:
- Outpatient therapy.
- Alumni programs.
- Peer support groups.
- Sober living.
- Medication management.
- Crisis support.
During the shift to independent living, a person uses these resources to achieve and maintain stability.
Ongoing care helps preserve the positive aspects a person has gained during treatment while also lowering the probability of a relapse.
Conclusion
Choosing a dual diagnosis center Bakersfield is one of the most important decisions someone struggling with co-occurring disorders can make. Integrated treatment provides a deeper, more effective path to healing by addressing the complex relationship between mental health and substance use.
With the blend of compassion, backed by trauma-informed care, drug treatment, and long-lasting support, a patient derives tools to rebuild their life from the center.
At Bakersfield Recovery Center, we understand the importance of empowering individuals with tailored, holistic approaches that care for mind and body. Co-occurring disorders are treated with compassion, allowing each patient to transition to a better and healthier future.
