Alcohol Treatment Center in Arizona Addiction and Mental Health Disorders

Alcohol Treatment Center Arizona: Addiction and Mental Health Disorders

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Mental health and substance abuse disorders often occur simultaneously. It’s unclear which arises first, but they tend to feed off one another once they both set in. Below, you’ll learn more about why these problems co-occur and what you can do about them. Nevertheless, the only solution is to tackle both issues simultaneously at an alcohol treatment center in Arizona.

Alcohol Treatment Center Arizona Addiction and Mental Health Disorders

If you’re struggling with a dual diagnosis, you should strongly consider looking into the help of an addiction treatment center. At Desert Cove Recovery, we can help you understand the unique challenges you face while struggling with addiction and mental health concerns.

Alcohol Use Disorder and Mental Illness: How They Impact Each Other

In the United States, 37% of people with an alcohol use disorder also have a mental health condition.[1] The co-occurring conditions may begin simultaneously, but one usually appears first and subsequently leads to the other.

In particular, someone struggling with a mental health concern is more likely to develop a substance use disorder. Those who struggle with conditions like depression and anxiety, for instance, may seek out alcohol to manage their symptoms. And though drinking may appear to alleviate some of these in the short term, it ultimately does more harm than good, given the chemical changes it prompts in the brain.

Alcohol is a depressant that affects the neurotransmitters in your brain, thereby impacting your feelings and thoughts. Additionally, people with mental illnesses may have a more diverse brain structure than those who don’t. That can make the effects of alcohol more powerful, which in turn can quickly lead to the development of an addiction.[2]

The inverse is also true: Alcohol consumption can also lead to the development of mental health concerns in people who have a predisposition. Because alcohol affects many of the same regions in the brain that mental illnesses do, it can trigger a structural change that leads to certain conditions.[3]

Alcohol Use Disorder and Mental Illness: How They Impact Each Other

Recognizing Mental Illness vs. Alcohol Use Disorders

Because mental disorders and alcohol addiction impact similar areas of the brain, it’s not always easy to determine which one is causing an individual’s symptoms. As such, it’s worth looking at symptoms and signs to understand their commonalities and differences.

On that note, alcohol use disorders can cause symptoms that include the following:[4]

  • An inability to limit the amount of alcohol you consume
  • Spending a lot of time drinking, recovering from drinking, or getting alcohol
  • Powerful cravings
  • Failing to meet work, school, or family obligations because of drinking
  • The use of alcohol in unsafe situations
  • Drinking alcohol despite its negative consequences
  • Giving up social or fun activities to drink alcohol
  • Developing tolerance, which requires one to drink more to feel the same effects
  • Experiencing withdrawal symptoms

Recognizing Mental Illness vs. Alcohol Use Disorders

Some signs of an alcohol use disorder are:

  • Mood changes
  • Poor social functioning
  • Recurring absences from school or work
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Impaired judgment
  • Suicidal behavior
  • Neglecting personal care

Mental health illnesses manifest with a variety of symptoms that are dependent on the exact condition, but some of the most common signs and symptoms are as follows:[5]

  • Sleep or appetite changes
  • Illogical thinking
  • Mood changes
  • Apathy
  • Increased sensitivity to sounds, sights, smells, and touch
  • Nervousness
  • Feeling disconnected
  • Drop in functioning
  • Withdrawal from social activities
  • Loss of interest in favorite activities
  • Unusual behavior
  • Changes in school or work

As is clear, the two conditions can intersect, sharing signs and symptoms. If someone uses alcohol to manage symptoms of mental illness, there will be even more of an overlap. Ultimately, to ensure an accurate diagnosis, the individual experiencing these symptoms must visit a mental health professional for a proper evaluation.

Can An Alcohol Treatment Center in Arizona Help?

Can An Alcohol Treatment Center in Arizona Help?

 

If you have a co-occurring mental health and alcohol use disorder, getting help for both at the same time is essential. That means relying on treatment centers that offer both options. When dealing with a dual diagnosis, you’ll likely need a combination of treatment options, including cognitive-behavioral therapy and holistic care.

The first step in the process at many rehab facilities is a detox, which safely removes all traces of alcohol from your body. That will allow you to avoid the worst of the withdrawal symptoms and focus on mental health and addiction treatment.

Afterward, you will work with your recovery team on the best program options. These will depend on the severity of your conditions, family and job responsibilities, budget, and several other factors.

You can start making strides in your recovery by understanding what has led to the development of your conditions and learning strategies to help you cope with the symptoms they can cause. At the same time, you’ll be working to understand what triggered your addiction and finding ways of making effective behavioral changes.

Contact an Alcohol Treatment Center in Arizona

The effect of alcohol addiction combined with mental health concerns can have life-altering consequences. Having a chance at healing means choosing an alcohol and drug rehab program that focuses on treating dual diagnoses.

At Desert Cove Recovery, we offer a variety of treatment options to help you regain your sobriety and mental stability. With state-of-the-art facilities and some of the most dedicated mental health professionals, our rehab in Arizona offers the quality care you need. Contact us to speak with an admissions expert about beginning a treatment program.

 

Sources:

[1] https://www.azdhs.gov/documents/az-state-hospital/nami-mental-illness-substance-abuse.pdf

[2] https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/substance-use-and-mental-health

[3] https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/health-professionals-communities/core-resource-on-alcohol/mental-health-issues-alcohol-use-disorder-and-common-co-occurring-conditions

[4] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alcohol-use-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20369243

[5] https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/warning-signs-of-mental-illness