Drug and alcohol addiction is a serious problem in the United States. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, “Accidental drug overdose is a leading cause of death among persons under the age of 45.”[1]
When you struggle with a substance use disorder, receiving professional treatment is of the utmost importance. But what happens when you have a mental health condition and an addiction at the same time?
Having a mental health condition and a substance use disorder at the same time is extremely common and is referred to as having co-occurring disorders. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports that 9.2 million people suffer from co-occurring disorders in America.[2]
Dual-diagnosis rehab programs provide mental health and addiction treatment services at the same time, facilitating effective treatment for co-occurring disorders. If you struggle with co-occurring disorders, it’s important to understand how to choose the best dual-diagnosis rehab in North Carolina.
What Happens in a Dual Diagnosis Rehab Program?
Each dual-diagnosis rehab will offer different services, however, most of them provide the following:
- Medical detox
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for alcohol and opioid addiction
- Evidence-based behavioral therapies for mental health and addiction
- Group counseling
- Pharmacological treatments for mental illnesses
- Trauma-informed care
- Relapse prevention planning
It is important to note that there are both inpatient and outpatient options available. Inpatient programs require you to live at the facility and provide round-the-clock care, while outpatient rehabs allow you to live at your own home and commute to your treatment services. Inpatient is best suited for people with severe co-occurring disorders, while outpatient is intended for people with mild to moderate issues who need to continue caring for outside responsibilities during treatment.
How to Find a Dual Diagnosis Program in North Carolina
There are many different ways to find a dual diagnosis treatment program in North Carolina. If you have health insurance, the first thing you should do is ask for a list of in-network providers. Your insurer can give you a list of dual diagnosis programs that accept your insurance.
Once you have this list, you can begin narrowing down your options by looking at their website, reading reviews, and asking people about the reputation of the facility. However, if you do not have health insurance, there are still good ways to find dual diagnosis centers in your area.
Other ways to find dual-diagnosis addiction treatment centers in North Carolina include:
- Working with an addiction counselor
- Searching on Google and reading reviews
- Asking your doctor or therapist for referrals
- Asking your friends and family with experience in recovery
- Word-of-mouth in local recovery communities like 12-step programs
If you do not have health insurance and are concerned about the cost of rehab, you should look for programs that offer sliding scale fees or scholarships. Additionally, some state or county-run facilities provide free treatment for individuals in need of help.
Questions to Ask a Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program
Once you have narrowed down your options and have a few dual diagnosis programs in mind, you have to start figuring out which one best suits your needs. Finding the best dual diagnosis rehab program in North Carolina for you is vital, as these programs are intended to provide you with life-saving services.
Choosing the right program for you can be difficult, especially if you have never been to rehab before. When you are vetting a prospective dual diagnosis rehab facility, ask them the following questions:
- Do you provide medical detox services?
- What levels of care do you offer?
- What mental health conditions do you specialize in?
- Can you provide me with non-addictive replacements for my psychiatric medications?
- Do you use evidence-based behavioral therapies?
- Do you provide holistic care options?
- Is your facility licensed or accredited?
- Do you treat the root cause of addiction?
- What types of addiction and mental health treatment do you offer?
- Are your treatment plans individualized?
- How long does your treatment program last?
- Do you offer any special amenities?
- Do you provide aftercare or relapse prevention planning?
- Do you take my health insurance or offer payment plans?
- What qualifications do you require your staff to have?
- How do you define patient success?
- Can I tour the facility before committing?
Asking these questions will provide you with a better understanding of the type of care a specific dual diagnosis program offers, helping you to make an informed decision on which program is best for your needs.
Get Connected to a Top-Rated Dual Diagnosis Rehab Center in North Carolina Today
If you or a loved one suffer from co-occurring disorders in North Carolina, Next Step Recovery is here to help. With a combination of evidence-based behavioral therapies and relapse prevention planning, we can provide you with everything you need to maintain lifelong recovery from your mental health condition and substance use disorder.
To learn more about our dual diagnosis rehab program in North Carolina, contact Next Step Recovery today.
References:
- National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS): Drug Abuse Statistics, Retrieved May 2023 From https://drugabusestatistics.org/
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Co-Occurring Disorders and Other Health Conditions. Retrieved May 2023 From https://www.samhsa.gov/medications-substance-use-disorders/medications-counseling-related-conditions/co-occurring-disorders
