It can be challenging to manage two or more conditions without support. Many challenges can arise from an unmanaged dual diagnosis. Outpatient care can help one learn new skills and strategies to effectively cope with a dual diagnosis. Not knowing what to expect can feel unsettling. However, many individuals take comfort in knowing that South Shore Recovery Center’s trained clinical team takes pride in walking our patients through our outpatient treatment program. Our recovery center also understands that recovery is a lifelong process. Therefore, our team kindly encourages aftercare outpatient services for ongoing benefit and support.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a dual diagnosis may consist of two or more mental health conditions or substance use disorders (SUDs). Nonetheless, a co-occurring psychiatric disorder is common among those in addiction treatment.
Individuals with a mental illness are more likely to experience problems with substance use than those not affected by poor mental health. It is common for some individuals facing great hardship with their mental health to attempt to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol. Combining prescription drugs and alcohol can cause serious adverse risks to one’s health. Those with a dual diagnosis commonly abuse:
Based on the aforementioned SAMHSA study, a wide body of research indicates that about 21.5 million U.S. adults are diagnosed with a dual diagnosis. Although there is no direct cause of a dual diagnosis, a few common factors include environmental factors such as trauma, genetics, having a family history of mental illness, or consistent drug and alcohol exposure. Common psychiatric disorders linked with substance abuse include:
When an individual becomes addicted to drugs or alcohol, they may begin to notice negative changes in their life. As a chosen substance becomes one’s main focus, the individual may begin to neglect their hobbies, self-care, relationships, or goals for their future. If the addiction is left unaddressed, prolonged addiction can often result in severe SUD. SUD is most commonly linked with psychiatric complications such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD.
When a dual diagnosis is neglected, an individual may begin to experience various life obstacles without support. For example, an individual with an untreated dual diagnosis may experience impaired relationships with family and friends, academic challenges, poor workmanship, and problems with law enforcement.
Going too long without seeking support for a dual diagnosis can lead to several life challenges. If an individual continues to engage in substance use, their co-occurring mental health condition may worsen over time. Persistent substance use can lead to an unwanted divorce, family custody problems, broken relationships with loved ones, academic expulsion, unemployment, homelessness, jail, or imprisonment. Tragic and challenging life events can often worsen an individual’s mental health. When an individual experiences problems managing their condition, they may become prone to suicidal thoughts or a substance relapse.
If a relapse occurs, one may be at an increased risk of falling into a coma, developing a disability, suicide, or a sudden death. Therefore, pursuing aftercare support at South Shore Recovery Center is important to gain a better quality of life. Our expert team of professionals provides our patients with a structured environment. This is important to stay focused during treatment. Our ongoing support also helps patients break free from substance dependence and start their path to recovery. Helpful outpatient continuing support after completing South Shore Recovery Center’s rehab program includes:
Residential care and inpatient treatment require continuous monitoring and overnight stays at a residential facility. Outpatient treatment is similar but has fewer requirements. For example, the intensity and duration of care is quite different. Inpatient treatment often limits interaction with friends and family. On the other hand, outpatient care supports a less controlled treatment environment. For example, inpatient treatment typically ranges from 30 to 90 days, and outpatient care ranges in intensity from a half-day treatment program (HDTP) to regular-day care. At South Shore Recovery Center, an HDTP typically runs for three to five hours per day, for up to five days a week.
If an individual is facing serious challenges with a severe dual diagnosis, they may require more time. On the other hand, traditional outpatient care at South Shore Recovery Center generally runs for about three hours per week. Outpatient treatment may involve individual, group, or family counseling services to support the patient’s journey to recovery.
Addiction can negatively impact an individual’s surroundings. Our outpatient treatment programs kindly tailor services to meet our patient’s needs and help them cope while in recovery from substance abuse and mental health complications. For example, the outpatient substance abuse treatment program at South Shore Recovery Center allows for ongoing family and community engagement. This can be a source of support or a potential challenge. But, the engagement can depend on the individual’s situation. Some other ways South Shore Recovery Center’s clinical team works to meet our patient’s needs include:
Knowing that a dual diagnosis can be difficult to manage without support, it can be highly beneficial for one to develop an individualized treatment plan at South Shore Recovery Center. One may expect to be asked a series of questions regarding their medical background, trauma history, strengths, weaknesses, and goals for sobriety and overall stability. A specialist at our recovery center can then suggest the most effective outpatient programs that best suit our patient’s specific needs. The benefits of moving forward with an individualized treatment plan include:
Knowing that there are several treatment options at South Shore Recovery Center, breaking down different therapeutic modalities with a specialist can help. Doing so can assist one in deciding which option is best for them. Understanding what South Shore Recovery Center offers can reassure patients that our compassionate clinical team is open to performing countless therapies for empathetic support. Evidence-based treatment options at South Shore Recovery Center include but are not limited to:
MAT may be beneficial to some individuals with a dual diagnosis. However, some individuals may prefer a more natural approach to care. Sometimes, treating addiction with prescription medications can worsen one’s condition, especially if they are already vulnerable to substance abuse. Holistic therapy can be an alternative to MAT. These types of therapies can improve a patient’s well-being and help the individual develop healthy coping strategies.
Therefore, combining psychotherapy with unique holistic care services at South Shore Recovery Center can further enhance an individual’s treatment experience. Doing so can eliminate harmful side effects and foster a safer path to recovery. A natural treatment modality can sometimes improve one’s mild condition. However, holistic care should never replace an individual’s primary treatment method. Evidence-based outpatient holistic treatment options that can improve one’s path to healing at South Shore Recovery Center include:
South Shore Recovery Center’s clinical team takes great pride in walking our patients through their outpatient treatment program. Our treatment center also understands that recovery from addiction and poor mental health does not happen overnight. The healing journey from a dual diagnosis is a long-term process.
Therefore, South Shore Recovery Center kindly encourages aftercare outpatient support to help facilitate ongoing recovery benefits. Our patients can use outpatient treatment as a standalone treatment option, or they can choose to participate in this type of care following another type of treatment. Aftercare support allows our patients to smoothly transition from one form of care to another. Additional benefits that can come from choosing outpatient care services at South Shore Recovery Center include:
Patients at South Shore Recovery Center range from individuals facing milder addictions to those with severe conditions transitioning from intensive inpatient care. The adaptable nature of outpatient substance abuse treatment makes it a suitable option for many individuals. Those in our care can find effective outpatient treatment options to meet their mental health needs.
Not everyone feels confident transitioning out of their addiction or mental health treatment program into an independent way of living. It is common for those with SUD and co-occurring mental health conditions to fear failure or still experience problems with a poor sense of self-worth, decreased self-esteem, and poor confidence. Early recovery can be a vulnerable stage as this next step generally requires one to make great sacrifices.
One seeking long-term recovery may make several positive life changes to aid in relapse prevention. For example, an individual with a dual diagnosis may move to a new environment that has limited drug and alcohol exposure, end relationships with friends who continue to abuse substances, or find a new employer who supports a drug and alcohol-free working environment.
Understanding that early recovery can be a busy stage, this process can bring on a great deal of distress. This can be especially so if an individual lacks proper coping tools and strategies to manage their condition. Late recovery can also come with many different challenges. For example, once big goals have been met, such as establishing a career or safe living environment, it can be easy for one to tread off their path to recovery. Nevertheless, recovery involves lifelong dedication to improve relationships and gain a better future.
Outpatient care can help one develop new achievable goals to continuously work toward a healthier lifestyle. Knowing this, it is critical for one to maintain outpatient care for a dual diagnosis. Balancing career life, academics, and relationships with loved ones with outpatient care can seem nearly impossible. Fortunately, following sober living skills on a day-to-day basis can effectively help one stay on track to recovery while improving their recovery experience. Learning new coping mechanisms in treatment and using them outside of care can also be helpful. Effective coping strategies to help one remain focused while receiving outpatient care to gain long-term sobriety include:
If you or your loved one are ready to begin healing from substance use disorder or mental health challenges in Plymouth, Massachusetts, South Shore Recovery is here for you. Our compassionate team is dedicated to transforming lives and achieving lasting recovery through compassionate, patient-centered addiction treatment services. The outpatient services at our facility focus on each individual’s needs, preferences, and overall goals. This helps foster a collaborative healing environment during recovery from substance use disorder. Our patients are encouraged to take ownership of their recovery, which leads to greater long-term success. We tailor treatment plans to meet each person’s unique needs and challenges. Call South Shore Recovery Center at (774) 515-2878 to gain support for a greater quality of life.
DISCLAIMER: South Shore Recovery Center is licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Addiction Services to provide Outpatient Counseling and Day Treatment Services.
