If you are ready to finally get help for your addiction to alcohol or drugs, finding the right treatment program is one of the most import decisions you can make right now.  And a large volume of evidence suggests that won the best thing you can do to support your sobriety going forward is to find the program that also addresses your mental health needs.

Unfortunately, however, most drug and alcohol rehabs do not include a mental health component.

That is why so many Southern California residents in crisis turn to Chapman House Treatment Centers.

Dual Diagnosis: Addiction and Mental Illness

Did you know that Substance Use Disorder is a complicated disease that is partially caused by—and partially CAUSES—such serious mental illnesses as:

• Anxiety: 27% of people with anxiety are dependent on alcohol, twice the rate of he general population
• Panic Disorder: Up to 40% of alcoholics have a panic-related anxiety disorder
• Depression: 2 out of every 3 people with a Substance Use Disorder have symptoms of major depression.
• PTSD: More than 70% of people in drug or alcohol rehab have a history of trauma.
• Bipolar Disorder: 60% of patients with BPD will abuse alcohol and/or drugs.
• Disordered Eating: Over 55% of people with an eating disorder will develop SUD.
• Self-Harm: Mental illness is the leading cause of suicide. Substance abuse is the second-leading cause.  1 out of every 4 people who struggle with both conditions will attempt to kill themselves.
• Compulsive Gambling: Up to 20% of people with SUD also have a gambling problem.

Why Do Addiction and Mental Illness Co-occur So Often?

Anyone with an emotional or mental disorder suffers pain and anguish as a result of their illness.  In an attempt to feel better, many will take substances as a means of “self-medicating”.  Alcohol and abused drugs activate the brain’s pleasure and reward centers, making users feel better…  in the beginning.

Unfortunately, that sets off a vicious cycle.

Invariably, chronic substance abuse leads to negative consequences—DUIs, relationship issues, money problems, etc.—that create even more difficulties.  Even worse, this artificial over-stimulation eventually fatigues the reward and pleasure centers, causing a diminished response.

In other words, the person has to drink and use more often and in ever-increasing amounts in order to realize the same “pleasurable” effects.  Eventually, they reach a point that they cannot experience join or motivation unless they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

And if they are unable or unwilling to drink or use, they experience harshly-unpleasant symptoms of withdrawal.  This can be so painful as to trigger a relapse into active addiction.

What Does this Mean to You?

All of this means that if you are trying to regain your sobriety, it is likely—or even probable—that you could also benefit from mental health treatment.  This is why Chapman House drug rehab in Orange County also offers mental health services along with simultaneous premium evidence-based addiction treatment.

This means that you regain both your sobriety and your good mental health, both of which you need to achieve true, long-term recovery.  If you are ready to get both sober and healthy. contact Chapan House Today.