Recovery for Mental Health Conditions

Living with a mental illness can be isolating and overwhelming. Many people wonder if there is light at the end of the tunnel and if they’ll ever feel normal again. The good news is, help is out there and recovery is possible. 

In addition to addiction therapists, drug rehab centers, addiction psychiatrists, suboxone clinics and sober living homes, our nationwide directory also includes mental health facilities. 

[Search Mental Health Facilities Near You.]

Mental Health Treatment Centers

It can be difficult to pinpoint when certain emotions or behaviors become unhealthy. For example, when does feeling “down” officially become depression? Harvard Medical School  defines a mental illness as “a mental health condition that gets in the way of thinking, relating to others, and day-to-day function.” 

Being sad after a break-up or having trouble sleeping the night before a job interview are normal responses to a stressful situation. It’s when these feelings and behaviors take over your life and have a negative impact that they become problematic. Unfortunately, there is still a stigma around having a mental health condition, and that can prevent people from seeking out treatment.

In the journey towards wellness, the most difficult step is often the first one: asking for help. It’s time to consider treatment for a mental illness when a person is experiencing:

• Excessive worrying
• Feeling confused
• Difficulty paying attention
• Changes in sleep: being unable to fall or stay sleep, or sleeping too much
• An increased or decreased appetite
• Hallucinations: seeing or hearing things that are not really there
• Mood swings, which can include strong feelings of euphoria and overwhelming sadness
• An inability to handle daily activities, including work, school, and family commitments
• A fear of weight gain or being overly preoccupied with their physical appearance
• Physical ailments like headaches and stomach aches
• Thoughts about suicide or harming themselves

Oftentimes, a person with a mental illness will also be misusing drugs or alcohol. Signs of a substance abuse disorder include:

• Taking illicit (street) drugs
• Misusing their prescription medications
• Obtaining prescription drugs from someone other than a doctor (off the streets, buying from a friend)
• Continuing to drink, even when drinking is causing legal or family problems.

It is brave for a person to admit that they have a problem and need help. Some people seek help for a mental illness by first speaking with their primary care doctor. Others will seek help from a specialized mental health facility. The important thing is for a person to do what feels right and comfortable for them.

[Search our nationwide directory to find a mental health provider near you.]

Co-occurring Disorders

There is a strong link between mental health disorders and addiction. The two are often co-occurring disorders. The definition of co-occurring disorders is when a person experiences two or more disorders at the same time. Co-occurring disorder is a broad term and can refer to any mental and/or physical disorders.  According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA):

• 37.9% of adults with a substance abuse disorder also had a mental illness, and
• 18.2% of adults with a mental illness also had a substance abuse disorder

It is often difficult to determine which disorder occurred first. And having two disorders does not necessarily mean that one caused the other. 

Unfortunately, many people don’t get the comprehensive treatment they need. Only 9.1% of people with co-occurring disorders receive treatment for both their mental illness and their substance abuse.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers

The terms “co-occurring disorder” and “dual diagnosis” are often used interchangeably, but they do mean two slightly different things. While co-occurring disorders can include any physical or mental conditions, the definition for dual diagnosis is more specific. Dual diagnosis refers to someone who is diagnosed with a mental illness or illnesses and a substance use disorder. 

When a person experiences a mental health disorder and substance abuse at the same time, a  co-occurring disorder and dual diagnosis treatment program is often the best option. Mental health and substance abuse are intertwined. Without addressing one condition, you cannot treat the other. 

[Search Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers]

Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers Near Me

To find a mental health treatment center or dual diagnosis treatment center in your area, you can search our nationwide directory. Treatment can be highly specialized, so it’s important that a person finds a center that meets their needs, goals, and lifestyle. 

In a study released by NIDA, people who wanted to receive dual diagnosis treatment but were unable to encountered the following barriers:

• Not knowing where to go for treatment
• Treatment was unavailable
• Being afraid of being committed (treatment without their consent)
• Did not have the time
• Concerns over confidentiality, including what others might think
• Concerned that treatment would interfere with their job

Every day, people seek out confidential and voluntary treatment for their dual diagnosis. Being proactive and seeking treatment before disorders escalate gives you the ability to choose when, where, and how you receive treatment. While having a mental illness or substance abuse disorder is nothing to be ashamed, some people do value their privacy. No one has to know you are in treatment unless you decide to share that information with them.

It’s important to receive care in an environment that’s right for you. You can use our national directory to search for treatment centers and programs that are:

• For men only or women only
• Residential, where you stay at the facility throughout your treatment, often for 30, 60, or 90 days. These programs are beneficial to people who do not have a strong support system or need supervised medical detox.
• Outpatient, where you attend treatment programs during the day, but return home at night. These programs vary in intensity and the time spent attending the program.
  • Intensive outpatient, where the patient spends most of the day in therapy and at the facility. They return home in the evening.
  • Less intensive outpatient services, which may allow someone to work or go to school for at least part of the day. These programs are less restrictive and not as disruptive to a person’s schedule. 

Finding the right treatment facility is important for a successful recovery.