Understanding the co-occurring disorders or dual diagnosis of depression and addiction is essential to keep your physical, mental, and emotional health intact and under control. This knowledge can help a person to understand what exactly happens, physically and mentally, when a person suffers from both. This is referred to as a co-occurring disorder, and if a substance use disorder and mental health disorder are both diagnosed by a professional, that is known as a dual diagnosis.

Such conditions can cause different health impacts, such as behavioral changes and mood swings. Depending on the substance, the physical complications could be worse, including the development of organ failure. The health impacts (both mental and physical) are tremendous. Nevertheless, the availability of several treatment options makes the situation a little easier for the patients and their families. Seeking expert healthcare assistance for a dual diagnosis is a must, given its long list of side effects.

This article will highlight why seeking rehab at a dual diagnosis center is essential for people who have been diagnosed with co-occurring disorders such as depression and addiction. Understanding co-occurring disorders is crucial for treatment and recovery. It can serve as a guide to understanding various health impacts as well as the right treatment path.

What Is a Dual Diagnosis?

If a person suffers from both a substance use and a mental health disorder, such a condition is referred to as a co-occurring disorder or “dual diagnosis.” When a person deals with substance misuse in addition to any mental health condition, such as depression, they are most likely suffering immensely.

This is never an easy situation for the person or their family. This is due to the dual diagnosis and the double trouble caused by the co-occurring disorders. The unique symptoms of both depression and substance use, for instance, inhibit usual bodily functions and mental comprehension.

The body and mind balance may become out of control. One’s physical health may deteriorate, as does their mindset. This is because when one’s mental health gets affected by an underlying disease, the side effects go way beyond just the individual’s mindset, thus impacting their physical health. Most importantly, the substance use can worsen, which causes its own list of side effects.

The Negative Side Effects of Co-Occurring Disorders

Mental health conditions, such as depression, are caused by all sorts of factors, including complex genetics, environmental reasons, and more. If a person also struggles with addiction to a substance, they may also experience an increased risk of developing depressive and mental health disorders. If an individual is already experiencing one of these mental health conditions, substance use can make those symptoms worse. In these situations, the substance functions as a sort of trigger to worsen both the mental health condition and the substance use itself.

Additionally, many people who struggle with a mental health concern find themselves under a lot of stress or anxiety. Because of that, they often seek tools to reduce the intensity of these negative effects, thus making substance use seem alluring. However, the short-term relaxation that is experienced due to the intake of certain substances while suffering from depression ultimately will negatively impact one’s health.

What Happens When You Suffer From Depression and Addiction?

Some generalized health impacts of a dual diagnosis of addiction and depression are:

• Appetite changes and unexplained weight gain or loss
• Difficulty in concentrating
• Euphoria
• Sleep changes
• Increased levels of bodily energy
• Hyperactivity and changes in speech speed
• Increased anger, rage, and irritability

There are various treatment facilities for treating your dual diagnosis of depression and addiction. Finding a trustworthy and well-reputed dual diagnosis center is crucial for treatment and recovery. Doing so will help an individual in ensuring that they are given individualized care and attention under trained healthcare professionals.

Why Is Seeking Treatment Essential?

Treatment centers provide a crucial tool for those struggling with co-occurring disorders. They can provide tailored strategies and plans devised specifically with individualized cases in mind, utilizing behavioral therapies and patient-friendly treatment routes to ensure each person gets the best options. This combination of individualized exercises, treatment options, and medical interventions is provided by a dedicated staff who personally attends to any medical needs an individual has.

It is important to remember that there is hope for recovering from a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder when seeking treatment. Seeking healthcare advice and a treatment facility at an early stage can get various symptoms under control and help manage one’s life in a healthy manner.

Both addiction and depression can make a person’s life change in drastic ways. When a person struggles with both conditions at the same time as a dual diagnosis, things get more complicated. Both health conditions have health impacts such as behavioral changes, mood swings, and physical responses. Understanding co-occurring disorders is a must to gain in-depth knowledge about their side effects and what can be done. Avoiding the worsening of such conditions is a must, and healthcare providers can help. Centers that specialize in dual diagnosis centers, for instance, can play a major contributing role in helping out such people. The Kimberly Center is the go-to dual diagnosis center for people who think they are highly affected by depression and addiction. If you are seeking expert healthcare assistance under trained professionals, feel free to call our dedicated representatives at (855) 452-3683. We are trained professionals who understand your needs and will make an individualized program for you.