Substance Abuse and Mental Health Facilities in Flagstaff, AZ
In case you abusing substances like alcohol and drugs in Flagstaff, they can prove effective at managing - albeit in the short term - the symptoms of your mental health disorder. This form of self-medication, however, can be dangerous because it can lead to addiction.
The temporary relief that you derive from these substances could soon be overtaken by other negative physical and psychological effects. Eventually, you may even find that you have started struggling with more of the common mental health problems that are linked with drug and alcohol addiction.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Research studies show that addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder tend to co-occur as a natural response to traumatic experiences. It is recommended that you seek professional evaluation to determine if you are struggling with both of these disorders.
If this is found to be the case, you would require dual diagnosis treatment to manage both your substance abuse as well as the co-occurring mental health disorder. This form of treatment would also enable you to get started on the road to recovery.
Psychosis
Research studies show a link between substance abuse and psychosis. Substance abuse occurs when you take any illicit drug, use prescription medications without a valid prescription or outside the prescribing instructions of your doctor, or taking legal substances in excess.
SAMHSA - the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration - reports that addiction tends to occur often alongside psychosis. This is because some of the symptoms of substance abuse often resemble those that occur when you are struggling with this mental health disorder. If you are diagnosed with psychosis, you may also turn to these substances and eventually find yourself dealing with a clinical addiction.
A dual diagnosis treatment program can help you understand the reasons behind your substance abuse and addiction as well as how this disorder is affected and continues to affect the other co-occurring behavioral and mental health disorders that you have also been diagnosed with.
This type of treatment would most likely be highly specialized and integrated. This is because it has to manage all the disorders that you have been struggling with at the same time - or simultaneously. It is recommended that you go through dual diagnosis treatment if you have been living with both addiction as well as any other co-occurring medical or mental health disorders.
