Substance abuse disorders are common in Veterans who live with mental illness and the conditions can be treated at the same time. First Dawn offers both alcohol rehab dual diagnosis and drug rehab dual diagnosis in Nevada, Oklahoma, and Florida. Conditions that may co-occur with mental illness can include addictions to the following:

• Heroin/Opioids
• Alcohol
• Cocaine
• Benzodiazepines and other prescription drugs
• Meth

Dual diagnosis treatment means that both mental illnesses and addiction disorders are being treated at the same time. At First Dawn Recovery center, we have the expertise to treat both successfully. Some of the most common mental illnesses involved with dual diagnosis include:

• Depression
• Anxiety disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Personality disorders like:
  • Borderline personality disorder
  • Paranoid personality disorder
  • Antisocial personality disorder
  • Narcissistic personality disorder

Mental health benefits through the VA often cover most or all of the costs associated with dual diagnosis treatment. The first step is to fill out our insurance verification form or call First Dawn Recovery at (702) 903-9847 with any questions.

We can help you understand your coverage, check if your provider is in network, and find out what therapies are covered. In addition, we offer a variety of payment options to help ease the burden.

Ideally, we would be able to identify and treat all mental illnesses before any substance abuse can occur. Unfortunately, mental illnesses develop at different rates and in different ways, but there are some warning signs that there may be a problem.

Although each has a unique set of symptoms, some of the most common signs of mental illness include the following:

• • Unrealistic and intense concern with weight and appearance
  • Sudden changes in sex drive
  • Social avoidance or fear
  • Difficulty thinking or concentrating
  • Excessive sadness
  • Increased hunger or lack of appetite
  • Extreme mood changes
  • Intense anger
  • Difficulty relating to others
  • Frequent and multiple physical pains
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Visual, sensory, or auditory hallucinations

It is always important to seek help, even if you’re not sure if you have a mental illness. One of the most common obstacles to people getting dual diagnosis help is denial. Often, mental illness can cause thoughts and beliefs that are contrary to reality, increasing the risk of denial, and taking appropriate steps to care for oneself.

As someone suffers from a mental illness and uses drugs or alcohol to self-medicate, substance abuse often exacerbates the mental illness. It worsens the symptoms, in which the individual takes more drugs or alcohol to medicate, thereby worsening addiction.

The cycle of mental illness and substance abuse never ends and will continue to get worse without dual diagnosis treatment.

There is extensive evidence that supports the comorbidity of substance abuse and mental illness, as about half of people who have a mental illness will also experience substance abuse.

Although substance abuse and mental illness often co-occur, addiction has not been found to cause mental illness directly. However, addiction and substance abuse can cause changes in the brain that may trigger the development of mental illness or exacerbate an existing mental illness.

People with mental illnesses are at an increased risk of developing a substance use disorder for a few reasons:

1. Many people attempt to self-medicate their mental illness with drugs or alcohol
2. Effective treatment of some mental illnesses varies between individuals, and in some circumstances, certain medications may worsen mental illness, placing the individual at higher risk for substance abuse
3. Some mental illnesses change the brain in a way that makes someone more sensitive to the rewarding effects of substances

Although nearly 8 million Americans struggle with dual diagnosis, the addiction treatment industry can offer comprehensive behavioral therapies for treating both conditions during rehab. At First Dawn Recovery, we have the experience and the expertise to address mental health and addiction.

While everyone will have a unique treatment plan based on their individual needs, the components of effective dual diagnosis treatment include:

• Detoxification allows the body to expel drugs and their toxins while under medical supervision if detox is completed in an inpatient environment.
• Inpatient rehab offers the most intensive form of drug treatment. Professionals recommend it for individuals who have presented dangerous and destructive patterns resulting from mental illness and substance abuse.
• Psychotherapy is a crucial part of dual diagnosis treatment. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most commonly used form of psychotherapy in treatment.
• Medication management helps people with mental illness ease their symptoms. It reduces the risk of self-medicating. Also, certain medications ease withdrawal symptoms during detox.
• Support groups are an important part of recovery. Dual diagnosis patients participate in groups supporting addiction and mental illness recovery. For example, a group like Double Trouble in Recovery is specifically for dual diagnosis.

Because each condition affects treatment, individuals struggle with mental illness and addiction. Fortunately, there are intensive therapy approaches, numerous support groups, and organizations specifically devoted to helping dual diagnosis persons find and thrive in recovery. If you’re ready to beat your addiction or end your substance abuse, First Dawn Recovery’s dual diagnosis treatment center can help. Contact us today at 702.996.3890 to learn more and begin your recovery.

• Nearly 250,000 people in Nevada live with a substance use disorder.³
• On average, 9,000 people in Nevada struggle with heroin addiction each year.³
• Nevada struggles with prescription pain pill addiction more than many states; about 5% of the population, or 127,000 are living with pain pill addictions.³
• Over 6% of the population, or about 157,000 people in Nevada abuse alcohol.³
• 34% of people who seeked treatment for substance abuse disorders received dual diagnosis treatment³2
• 6% of the population, or about 142,000 people in Nevada are living with a serious mental illness.³

• Nevada, known as the Silver State, has a rich history and a promising future. Nevada is known for its silver mining, which plays an important role in its vibrant economy. Nevada is also known as the Battle Born State, remembered for its admission into the Union during the Civil War.

   

  Nevada is famous for its expansive deserts, beautiful mountains, prickly pear cactus, and colorful boulders. Lake Tahoe, a large freshwater lake, draws many visitors each year to its crystal clear waters. Nevada offers the excitement of Las Vegas and the tranquility of the desert. Its interesting blend of natural beauty and urban energy make it a unique place to visit and enjoy exploring.