According to statistics, about 23% of people with personality disorders are also battling substance use disorder. So common are personality disorders among those with addictions that detox centers and addiction treatment centers have counselors to help people struggling with co-occurring disorders.
Here at the Findlay Recovery Center in Ohio, we have addiction treatment specialists and personality disorder counselors who assess clients right from the onset to find out if they have a dual diagnosis. This means that the individual is struggling with a personality disorder in addition to an addiction. When it comes to treatment, both have to be dealt with simultaneously for the best outcome.
Addiction and Personality Disorders
At this point, you’re probably wondering why addiction and personality disorders seem to go together. Well, a personality disorder, as the name suggests, affects your personality. It is a mental health condition that changes how you interact and form relationships with others as well as how you cope with the stresses and rigors of life. To further complicate matters, you are unlikely to tell when you’re struggling with a personality disorder. You don’t know you have a problem but others around you can tell that you’ve changed and are no longer the same person they knew.
Once the personality disorder takes hold, you may find it challenging to cope with life and the things you used to do before. To cover these feelings and to feel better about yourself, you turn to drugs or alcohol. The end result is that you become even more erratic, emotionally unstable, anxious, and in some cases, depressed. This only leads you deeper into substance abuse, further worsening the situation.
Treating a Dual Diagnosis
Clients who come to Findlay Recovery Center and are found to have a dual diagnosis are put on an individualized treatment plan. Whether you’re enrolled in the drug treatment program or the alcohol treatment plan, you still need to undergo detox. During the detoxification stage, you’ll be introduced to counselors who specialize in personality disorders so you can begin working towards your recovery. Once detox is complete, you’ll enter the appropriate addiction treatment program where you’ll continue working towards your recovery goals.
Addressing the personality disorder and addiction at the same helps improve the outcome of the rehab treatment and also goes a long way towards preventing relapse. Both of these diseases feed off each other and fighting one alone won’t help you.
As part of the treatment, you’ll have to go through individual counseling sessions, behavioral therapy, group therapy, and also family therapy. Behavioral therapy helps you learn to identify, isolate and replace any negative thoughts and habits with healthier ones that form a basis for your new life.
Dealing with both an addiction and personality disorder can be draining but don’t give up. Help is available at the Findlay Recovery Center. All you have to do is get in contact with us today and we’ll advise you on how to get started on rebuilding your life.
