For too long, individuals who require support for mental health conditions have found themselves held back by various barriers. Not only are mental health and addiction care not readily accessible to everyone, but unfair assumptions exist surrounding mental health in the United States. This stigma alone can dissuade people from seeking help. And those who do get care may find it to be inadequate, degrading, or ineffective due to insufficient funding.
The mental health system is truly failing those who need it. When this system fails individuals, they often end up coping on their own—with addiction or suicide. Self-medicating might begin as a form of socially acceptable “stress relief” until it inevitably snowballs into a life-altering and potentially life-threatening situation.
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Many of those suffering in silence may not have access to mental health care until their behaviors become dangerous, rather than receiving preventive care. Desert Cove Recovery aims to advocate for those struggling with poor mental health and addiction by making proper, compassionate treatment accessible to everyone. With the help of a dual diagnosis treatment plan, individuals can finally have the support they need to recover successfully and remove themselves from the broken mental health system.
Prevalence of Mental Conditions in the United States
Unfortunately, mental conditions are much more common than many believe. Approximately 1 in every 5 adults in the US suffers from some form of mental illness.1 This is defined as any “mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder,” varying from mild to severe. As of 2020, more than 26 million people suffering from mental disorders in the United States are left untreated for their conditions.2
Challenges Faced by Those in Need of Help
Despite the high prevalence of mental illness in the United States, individuals still aren’t getting the proper mental health care they need. But why? There are several hurdles keeping people from seeking help for mental illness:
- Stigma: The perceived embarrassment surrounding seeking help from a mental health professional inhibits many from getting the help they need.
- Cost: A significant number of people in the United States do not have any form of health insurance, and those who do carry it may not have a plan which covers mental health treatment. There are, however, additional forms of financial support available.
- Lack of support: Unfortunately, too many people do not have a support system of friends or family who support mental wellness. Having a loved one belittle mental illness symptoms can make it challenging to pursue help.
Unfortunately, a high number of individuals with untreated mental illness become involved in the criminal justice system. Nearly 40% of individuals in state and federal prisons have a history of mental illness. And even while incarcerated, less than half of those suffering receive any type of mental health treatment while in jail.3
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The mental health system has sorely failed those people who were detained as a result of lack of access to mental health care. And these statistics perpetuate the stigma that those who have mental conditions are a danger to the public. This vicious cycle further proves the mental health crisis we are in.
The Relationship Between Mental Health and Addiction
Addictions and mental conditions have complex relationships and frequently affect people concurrently. Approximately 50% of those who struggle with substance use also experience a co-occurring mental illness, and vice versa.4 Addiction can exacerbate existing mental illnesses in some individuals. In contrast, substance use disorders can also serve as the cause of conditions like ADHD, depression, anxiety, PTSD, personality disorders, or bipolar disorder.5. Regardless of the root of the illnesses, those suffering deserve accessible support to experience relief.
Address Mental Health and Addiction Simultaneously with Dual Diagnosis Treatment
The experienced professionals at Desert Cove Recovery believe that it is critical to address both disorders simultaneously through a dual diagnosis program. Dual diagnosis treatment is an approach by which professionals treat mental conditions and substance addictions concurrently. Upon admission to Desert Cove, individuals undergo a comprehensive assessment to determine whether dual diagnosis treatment would be recommended as part of the program.
Because no two patients are the same, no two recovery treatment plans are identical. Each dual diagnosis approach is customized with the individual’s specific needs in mind. Outpatient dual diagnosis treatment is a very popular and flexible solution to achieving long-term recovery for individuals who may not require inpatient treatment. Our specialists will advise on which method is the best fit for you.
Achieve Successful Recovery in Mental Health and Addiction with the Help of Desert Cove Recovery
If you fear that you may be struggling with addiction and a mental health condition, help is available. You no longer must fall victim to the failing mental health system. With safe, compassionate support, Desert Cove Recovery helps you transform your life. Reach out to our experienced specialists to regain control of your mental health while breaking the chains of addiction.
Sources:
[1]: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness.shtml[2]: https://mhanational.org/issues/2020/mental-health-america-adult-data
[3]: https://nami.org/NAMI/media/NAMI-Media/Infographics/NAMI_CriminalJusticeSystem-v5.pdf
[4]: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/substance-use-and-mental-health/index.shtml
[5]: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10543851/
