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The Importance of a Medical Diagnosis With Co-Occurring Disorders

The Canyon is a fully accredited drug rehabilitation and dual diagnosis facility, certified to provide treatment to those suffering from drug addiction issues and psychological issues concurrently. We are entirely staffed by Master's level professionals who specialize in substance abuse and addiction treatment within their field. At The Canyon, we combine luxury facilities and comprehensive treatment to create a unique celebrity style rehab in the Santa Monica Mountains in southern California.

The Basics About Co-Occurring Disorders and Drug Addiction

Co-occurring disorders describe the condition of suffering from both drug addiction and another mental or psychological disorder like depression, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, et cetera. Whether the mental issues triggered the drug use and addiction or the drugs caused the mental illness symptoms is immaterial. If both problems are present then both problems must be addressed in treatment at the same time for remission to be lasting. It's simple enough to determine whether or not an issue with drug addiction requires attention: if you are consistently taking drugs or drinking despite negative consequences to your health and safety and the health and safety of those you love, then you need drug addiction treatment. It's also relatively simple to figure out that there are other issues that need attention as well. But determining which issue exactly is crucial to an effective treatment.

Other Disorders Besides Co-Occurring Disorders

Just because you are suffering from mood swings, it does not mean that you are manic depressive. And even though you may feel depressed, it doesn't necessarily mean that you are suffering from severe depression. Sometimes drugs of addiction can cause these reactions during your "crash" or as the drug leaves your body. Sometimes it's another problem completely. Some possible culprits include:

• Mood swings may be caused by brain tumors, head trauma, neurosyphilis
• Seizures may occur due to epilepsy, tumors or head trauma
• Other organ systems may be affected by a thyroid problem, sodium imbalance, diabetes or other medications that you are taking that are interacting negatively

You can't know for sure what your co-occurring disorder is until you are medically diagnosed by a doctor. It may be a serious mental condition, but it also may not.

Specific Co-Occurring Disorders

There are a wide range of co-occurring disorders that are commonly found in people who struggle with drug addiction. Often, people try to self medicate their symptoms by using drugs and alcohol. These conditions include anxiety and panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, manic depression, bipolar disorder, anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, social phobias, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and more.

Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment at The Canyon

At The Canyon, our medical team will use the initial assessment and follow up assessments to ascertain the nature of your disorder. We will also begin treatment with therapy and, if necessary, medications as you simultaneously undergo drug addiction detox and treatment. If you have any questions about what a dual diagnosis drug rehab like The Canyon can do for you, contact us today for answers.