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Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers in Idaho

When you live in the state of Idaho and have a dual diagnosis of both a substance abuse disorder (alcoholism, illicit drug addiction, or the misuse of prescription medications) and a co-occurring psychiatric illness (depression, anxiety, PTSD, etc.) it is vitally important that the program of recovery that you decide upon specializes in the treatment of such commonly-co-occurring disorders. When you are looking for a dual diagnosis treatment center near you, you’re faced with a number of challenges. And the biggest challenge is NOT finding treatment – it’s finding the RIGHT treatment for your conditions. To help with that, here is what you should be looking for in a dual diagnosis treatment center in Idaho:

Look for Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers with “Integrated” and “Comprehensive” Care

When you have been duly-diagnosed with co-occurring addictive and psychiatric disorders, service providers usually address the situation in one of four manners:

  • Partial treatment – Determines that one of the disorders is “primary”, and then treats that condition ONLY.

The disadvantage of this approach is the other disorder is ignored, which could result in a relapse or worsening of either or both disorders.

  • Sequential treatment – Determines that one of the disorders is “primary”, and then treats that condition FIRST, treating the secondary disorder only AFTER the first has been stabilized.

The disadvantage of this approach is that treatment can be significantly prolonged. Also, there is an increased risk of relapse until the second disorder is addressed.

  • Parallel treatment – Both disorders are treated at the same time, but by different service providers/programs – the substance abuse by an addiction specialist, and the psychiatric disorder body mental health professional.

The disadvantage of this option is that treatment can be complicated or even counterproductive if there is not a shared therapeutic philosophy between the service providers.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration recommends a fourth approach – integrated treatment as being in the “best interests” of patients with comorbid disorders.

  • Integrated treatment – BOTH disorders are treated as primary and treated simultaneously by service providers working in collaboration under the auspices of the same dual diagnosis center.

The advantage of integrated treatment is that both addiction specialist and mental health professionals cooperate, communicate, and are in agreement as to the treatment philosophy.

TEAMWORK is the Key to Integrative Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Because the treatment of a dual diagnosis can be complicated, successful recovery usually takes the cooperative efforts of an entire “team” of people working together towards the same goal of recovery:

  • Mental Health – Therapists/Counselors/Psychologists/Psychiatrists
  • Addiction – Interventionist and Substance Abuse Specialists
  • Medical – M.D./Neurologist/Professional Nurse/Pharmacists
  • Relationships – Family Therapist
  • Nutritional – Licensed Nutritionist
  • Employment/Educational – Vocational or School Counselor
  • Support System – Spouse/Partner/Other Family Members/Close Friends
  • Peer Fellowship – Alcoholics or Narcotics Anonymous Sponsor
  • Advocacy – Caseworker from Social Services or Child Protective Services
  • Legal – Judge/Drug Court Liaison/Probation Officer

The most important team member is the recovering addict/alcoholic because they are the one who’s going to have to put in the work and be receptive of the guidance provided by the other team members.

What Is “Comprehensive” Dual Diagnosis Treatment?

The best Idaho dual diagnosis treatment centers treat co-occurring disorders by addressing the disorders on multiple levels:

  • Individual counseling
  • Peer Group therapy
  • Sessions with spouses, partners, and other close family members
  • 12-Step fellowship
  • Medication assistance
  • Education
  • Practical life management and coping skills
  • Trigger identification and importance
  • Stress reduction and relaxation techniques
  • Trauma processing
  • Proper nutrition
  • Exercise programs
  • Vocational coaching
  • Relapse prevention
  • Transitioning back into everyday life
  • Holistic therapies – yoga, massage, therapeutic art, pet therapy, etc.

Keep this in mind – the more services that a particular program offers, the more they will be able to tailor a treatment plan to your individual needs. Don’t be overly concerned with finding a “bare-bones” rehab program with limited treatment options because you’re worried about cost. While affordability is ALWAYS an issue, the Affordable Healthcare Act has made that less of a concern than ever before. In the state of Idaho, insurance carriers are required by law to provide coverage for addictive disorders. This means that you could have little to no out-of-pocket expense. One of the biggest barriers to finding treatment has been effectively removed. Don’t settle when it comes to your recovery from mental illness and addiction. Help for your dual diagnosis IS available, and if you take the time to do a little homework beforehand, you will be able to find the right program that can help you regain your sanity, sobriety, and serenity.

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