Dual Diagnosis – Dealing With Bipolar Disorder and Addiction

A common occurrence for people addicted to drugs or alcohol is that they are also suffering from a mental illness (although they frequently don’t know it). It’s difficult enough dealing with the stresses of life, but when your brain is chemically imbalanced, it’s even harder to return to a place of peace and serenity when your mood doesn’t return to normal. Bipolar disorder is a mental illness commonly associated with addiction. This type of mental illness usually manifests itself by sudden mood swings that can’t be explained.

Bipolar Disorder and Addiction

Individuals with bipolar disorder have difficulties in their relationships with friends, families and significant others. They also have problems managing their finances. In addition, bipolar disorder is one of the leading causes of suicide. More than half of those afflicted with bipolar disorder become addicted. However, they do have the chance to recover when they go to a professional detox and treatment facility. If you are dealing with bipolar disorder and addiction, it’s important to be sure that the drug and alcohol rehab center knows how to treat a dual diagnosis.

Detox at a Drug and Alcohol Rehab

Addiction causes your body to rely on drugs and alcohol in order to function. The lack of these substances in your system can cause symptoms of withdrawal, which can not only be very uncomfortable, but also dangerous as well.

A quality drug and alcohol rehab with an on-site detox center will help you through a medical detox. The medical detox will involve different medications that can help reduce the symptoms of withdrawal by tricking the brain into thinking you’re still drinking or using. These detox medications will be tapered off gradually until you’re ready to begin addiction rehabilitation.

The Recovery Process for Dual Diagnosis – Bipolar Disorder and Addiction

Once your mind and body have been cleared of the substances you were abusing, you can begin to learn how to live a life free of active addiction. You’ll go through individual therapy where you’ll be meeting with a therapist who understands how to treat a dual diagnosis. This will involve teaching you how to deal with your symptoms of mental illness in a much healthier way that doesn’t involve alcohol or drugs.

Going to a qualified drug and alcohol rehab with its own onsite detox center, such as New England Recovery Center, will provide you with the best opportunity to not only get sober, but also learn how to stay sober as well. You must remember that recovery takes time, so it’s important that you follow up with the facility or an outside therapist to ensure that your mental illness is still being managed properly. The combination of bipolar disorder and addiction is a challenge for anyone, so don’t feel that asking for help after treatment means you have done something wrong.

Don’t let an addiction define your life any longer – call New England Recovery Center today. The help you need is closer than you think.

More information on dual diagnosis and addiction.