Teen co-occurring disorder treatment addresses mental health and substance use issues simultaneously, leading to better outcomes. Integrated treatment can reduce symptoms, improve functioning, and prevent relapse. It also helps teens develop healthier coping mechanisms and supports long-term recovery, enhancing their overall well-being and quality of life.
Struggling with both mental health and substance use issues can be overwhelming for teens and can complicate the individual treatment of either condition.
This makes it crucial to address both simultaneously through teen co-occurring disorder treatment. Without an integrated treatment approach, these co-occurring disorders can exacerbate each other, leading to a downward spiral.
This article explores the advantages of teen co-occurring disorder treatment.
What are Co-occurring Disorders?
Co-occurring disorders or a dual diagnosis generally refers to a combination of a substance use disorder with another mental health disorder, often a mood disorder (such a major depressive disorder) or an anxiety disorder. Co-occurring disorders can also include addiction coupled with schizophrenia, a severe personality disorder, or another mental health condition recognized under the DSM.
Only an accredited medical professional can diagnose a co-occurring disorder. Substance use disorders and other mental health conditions have separate and rigorous diagnostic criteria. Attributing or ruling out conditions can be difficult based on how symptoms and behaviors overlap.
A professional evaluation of a person’s thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and family medical history is important to help determine how their symptoms interact and overlap and what the right treatment approach should be.
Because co-occurring disorders can exacerbate each other, it can be difficult to find an effective treatment protocol.
For example, focusing on utilizing therapy to address a person’s depressive symptoms might temporarily alleviate their depression, but if they’re still struggling with an alcohol use disorder, then the long-term effects of their drinking will continue to negatively impact their mood and mental health. Furthermore, their mental health exacerbates their drinking, speeding up the physical consequences of alcohol misuse.
Advantages of Teen Co-occurring Disorder Treatment
Treating co-occurring disorders in teens requires a comprehensive approach that addresses both mental health and substance use issues, leading to more effective and sustainable recovery. Integrated treatment helps improve overall wellbeing and reduces the risk of relapse in ways that concurrent or separate treatment programs cannot. Here are ten advantages of teen co-occurring disorder treatment.
1. Treating Mental Health and Substance Abuse Simultaneously
Integrated treatment is key to addressing a co-occurring disorder. Research into the subject of a co-occurring disorder shows that when only one condition is treated, the long-term outcomes tend to be negative.
Concurrent treatment requires addressing both conditions at the same time, but not through a single, individualized treatment plan. Instead, a person is effectively going through two treatments at once. Concurrent treatment is better than treating a single condition, but the lack of cohesion between treatment plans can lead to complications regarding flexibility, lack of communication between treatment professionals, and confusion in the treatment recipient.
A delicate, individualized approach is needed. Teens with co-occurring disorders tend be at a greater risk for further multimorbidity, legal difficulties, social ostracization, and drug-related death.
Treating a mental health disorder and an addiction in teens simultaneously means combining treatment methods to tailor a long-term path towards recovery, improved self-esteem, a healthier self-image, greater mental resilience, and better coping habits.
2. Tailored Therapy Methods
Treatment methods for co-occurring disorders depend on the kind of comorbidity present. Someone with a history of post-traumatic stress and ongoing symptoms of PTSD coupled with a substance use problem primarily revolving around depressants, such as anti-anxiety medication and alcohol, will require a different treatment approach than someone with a manic mood disorder and a history of stimulant abuse.
Researchers in the field of psychiatry have been working on compiling effective methods of addressing specific combinations of comorbid conditions, while drafting guidelines for identifying and addressing such co-occurring disorders.
Recurring elements in these guidelines include residential treatment, a tailored therapeutic approach, and multiple levels of integrated care and long-term support after treatment. Many of these guidelines are still in their early stages, and experts agree that co-occurring disorders are often underdiagnosed and undertreated, in all age groups.
That is why we find it important to focus not just on the conditions, but on the person. Our individualized approach focuses on identifying important factors in each teen’s life that contribute to their mental health symptoms and their substance abuse, and finding treatment modalities that they resonate with, and see the best progress with.
3. Improved Treatment Outcomes
Addressing a teen’s symptoms and mental health as a whole rather than combatting individual disorders can improve treatment outcomes, especially when the process involves integrating treatments that focus on concurrent elements present in a teen’s conditions, such as issues with body image in teens who struggle with eating disorders and abuse stimulants to suppress appetite and improve mood.
4. Support from Specialized Professionals
Residential treatment for teens can be beneficial in cases of a co-occurring disorder. 24/7 round-the-clock care from specialized professionals can improve a teen’s outcomes, give them more time to focus on their treatment, and place them in an environment conducive towards long-term recovery.
5. Enhanced Understanding and Self-Awareness
It can be frustrating to experience a variety of mental health issues at once. When no one single diagnosis lines up with the way you feel, it can make you feel even further isolated than before.
A thorough diagnosis and long-term treatment plan can alleviate these frustrations and give you an improved understanding of what you’re dealing with, and what your treatment plan aims to address.
6. Family Education and Therapy
Teen co-occurring disorder treatment, even in a residential setting, can benefit greatly from the involvement of family members. Furthermore, families can learn more about how their loved ones are affected by their conditions, and what to expect, as well as how to continue supporting them during long-term recovery.
7. Long-term Relapse Prevention
When addiction is involved, treatment programs are often the first step in a long journey. A residential or outpatient treatment program can set the foundation for long-term relapse prevention, but it’s through a continued commitment to recovery through therapy, counseling, and peer support that recovery is maintained.
8. Better Overall Health and Wellness
Co-occurring disorders are especially hard on the body. The physical symptoms of addiction are exacerbated through heavy use or polydrug use, and teens with co-occurring mental health issues are more prone to heavy use.
Furthermore, teens are affected differently by drug use than older adults, because of their physical and mental development. Addressing drug use and your teen’s mental health and resilience can help improve their physical health as well.
Co-occurring Disorder Treatment for Teens
Are you concerned about your teen’s struggle with both mental health and substance use issues?
Discover how our Visions Treatment Centers here in California offer specialized, integrated care designed to address co-occurring disorders effectively.
Contact us today to learn how we can help you provide your teen support and teen co-occurring disorder treatment.
Conclusion
Treating co-occurring disorders in teens through specialized residential programs means utilizing an individualized combination of treatments that addresses both mental health and substance use issues simultaneously.
Through the structured environments of a residential setting, intensive therapy, and personalized support, teen co-occurring disorder treatment programs help teens address substance use and their mental health, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and enhance their physical and mental wellbeing.
