For many years, the concept of dual diagnosis treatment was not common in medical or mental health communities. Until recently, there was an unfortunate yet strong belief that someone with a dual diagnosis needed to address each concern separately, in separate treatment programs. As a result, those who struggled with one of many mental health conditions never received treatment for a co-occurring substance use disorder and vice versa. The ongoing misconceptions tied to this train of thought highlight how closely tied mental health and addiction are. They share many of the same symptoms, and often, the efforts to alleviate symptoms of one results in worsening or newly occurring symptoms of the other. Also, trying to detox from alcohol or drugs, especially without the assistance of a medically assisted detox program at a dual diagnosis treatment center in California, can lead to new or worsening mental health symptoms.

Fortunately, the viewpoint and ability to treat dual diagnosis conditions have changed and improved in recent years. Today, both the medical and mental health communities understand that addiction and mental health are not separate and distinct struggles. Conversely, they are deeply connected psychologically, physically, and behaviorally. Because of this connection, the best outcomes are often achieved when addiction treatment programs integrate addiction treatment models and mental health treatments into a comprehensive, evidence-based program.

When someone struggles with a dual diagnosis, their symptoms meet the diagnostic criteria for a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder. Dual diagnosis conditions often share overlapping symptoms making it difficult and highly impractical to attempt to treat one condition without addressing the concerns brought about by the other. The best option for treating your dual diagnosis is to complete a treatment program at a Santa Barbara treatment facility where professionals are trained to address co-occurring disorders. Completing dual diagnosis treatment is crucial because it ensures both the individual and their treatment team focus on all areas of the problem, providing the best opportunity for holistic healing.

The best dual diagnosis treatment center in California will identify and address mental health concerns that you may struggle with and the psychological and behavioral components that may have led to maladaptive coping behaviors such as self-medicating. All too often, this is how substance use disorders develop for someone with a dual diagnosis. A skilled dual diagnosis treatment program can help you learn more about the challenges related to self-medicating while providing education on safer and healthier coping strategies. Dual diagnosis programs like ours at Stillwater in Santa Barbara, California, integrate traditional evidence-based addiction therapies with alternative treatment models such as yoga, massage, art therapy, music therapy, and meditation practices to provide the most comprehensive and supportive treatment program possible.