Rehab For Patients With Mental Health Challenges

The basal therapeutic treatment needs for mental health sufferers battling addiction do not vary significantly from the challenges facing any recovering addict, but these challenges are magnified, and the symptoms of the corresponding mental health disorder may cause behavioral reactions or emotional symptoms that require appropriate intervention. To best assist someone dealing with a dual diagnosis, staff at the facility need to have training to the unique needs and challenges facing this population of recovering addicts and need to be educated as to the unique  presentations of specific disorders, as well as to the signs that indicate dangerous or worrisome changes in functioning.

Using dual diagnosis addicts generally have medication compliance issues, and even if medications have been taken as directed, the concurrent use of other substances often renders these medications ineffective. At the period of intake, mental health professionals will need to develop an accurate and comprehensive picture of the severities of both the metal health disorder and the addiction, and develop an appropriate pharmacological strategy for symptoms management.

Continuing evaluation and monitoring will need to take place throughout the period of treatment, and symptoms expression during this stressful and challenging period may require an alteration of prescribed medications. Psychiatrists developing this pharmaceutical regimen will need to be educated as to the unique needs of patients concurrently progressing through detox and recovery, and adjust medications accordingly.

Because psychiatric symptoms may worsen, continual psychiatric evaluation is required and worsening affective or behavioral symptoms may require a move to a facility more specifically targeted for psychiatric disorders.

When applicable, and the family maintains strong ties to the recovering addict, the involvement of family in the treatment can be invaluable. Family therapy and education allows the family to learn how best to support the recovering dual diagnosis addict, and educates as to the symptoms and progression of both the disease and the addiction.

Firstly, where a 28 day rehab stay might be sufficient for someone dealing with addiction alone, the co presentation of a mental health disorder generally calls for a longer and more intensive period of treatment. Families should be prepared to be patient, and understand that results can take time. The facility should be willing to continue treating the patient until stabilization and abstinence remains likely after release.

Aftercare and continuing case management are of particular importance for the dual diagnosis addict, and when selecting a rehab, this should be a priority.

It's never easy to intervene, and getting an addict the help they need is always difficult, and never more so than when there is a dual diagnosis of substance abuse and addiction, but the risks of doing nothing are too great, and the possible benefits of recovery and with treatment, psychiatric stabilization, are equally great. Be patient, and try to select a facility well set up to understand and treat the unique challenges that a dual diagnosis always presents. Look for professional staff and continuing psychiatric evaluation, family involvement and significant and intensive aftercare and case management.