Mental health disorders and substance abuse problems, combined, affect more than 25% of Americans annually. Mental health and substance abuse disorders are both types of chronic, progressive mental health disorders that continue to get worse until you engage in treatment. Symptoms can make it difficult to meet your personal, employment,, and social obligations. Fortunately, several types of psychotherapy are extremely helpful in mental health and substance abuse treatment.
While mental health disorders and addiction are incurable, symptoms can be managed successfully. Mental health conditions are treated with a mix of medications and therapy. The different types of psychotherapy used during treatment are based on your specific needs and treatment goals. Likewise, substance abuse treatment integrates evidence-based treatments and holistic remedies to help you develop the coping and management skills you need to recover successfully. A psychotherapy program may be right for you. Call us today at 866.262.0531 to find out.
Mental Health and Addiction
When you have a mental health or substance abuse disorder, symptoms like anxiety, depression, mood changes, and triggers can make it hard to recover. Psychotherapy for addiction treatment provides additional support to deal with cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Some examples of common mental health disorders include:
- Depression and major depression disorder
- Generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder
- Eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Mood disorders, like bipolar disorder
Mental health disorders can cause severe symptoms and make you more likely to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol. When you suffer from a mental health disorder, abusing or using drugs and alcohol can aggravate and worsen your symptoms. Drugs and alcohol cause your brain to release excessive amounts of neurotransmitters. Many mental health disorders are caused by your brain’s inability to release enough neurotransmitters. While using drugs and alcohol results in immediate alleviation of symptoms, once the effects wear off, you are depleted of neurotransmitters. Consequently, this depletion worsens the intensity of your mental health symptoms and can lead to addiction.
It’s important to monitor your mental health and seek medical advice if symptoms worsen or become unmanageable. If you suffer from a mental health disorder, it’s important that your doctor knows so they can create an appropriately tailored treatment plan for you. Additionally, if you are suffering from addiction, seek help from professionals that specialize in addiction treatment. They can help you work through the challenges associated with your mental health disorder and substance abuse issues. Professional help and support are key to successful recovery. With proper treatment, you can reduce or even eliminate symptoms of a mental health disorder and beat addiction for good.
Am I Addicted?
Substance abuse disorders cause you to compulsively use and abuse drugs and alcohol despite negative consequences or a strong desire to quit. Drugs and alcohol can cause both physical and psychological addiction. Common signs and symptoms of addiction include:
- Spending the majority of your time and money on drugs and/or alcohol
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you stop using
- Needing to increase your drug and alcohol use in order to experience the same effects
- Difficulty stopping or controlling your drug or alcohol use
- Using drugs or alcohol in inappropriate situations
Types of Psychotherapy
Treatment for substance abuse and mental health disorders typically includes different types of psychotherapy. Some of the most widely used types of psychotherapy include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectic behavioral therapy
- Exposure therapy
- Acceptance therapy
Psychotherapy utilizes talking-based therapy to help you identify and change negative thinking patterns, emotions and behaviors. Psychotherapy can also help you address past traumas and gain a better insight into your thoughts and feelings. Individual therapy programs and group therapy programs incorporate psychotherapy in order to give you the tools, skills, and understanding necessary to recover.
Psychotherapy has very few potential side effects and can be used in combination with other evidence-based and holistic treatments. Furthermore, psychotherapy is a type of evidence-based treatment that has proven to be effective in past patients following extensive research. Participating in psychotherapy can also improve your communication skills and make sharing your thoughts and feelings easier with others.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills and Strategies
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is another treatment modality we often use at Crestview. The core of DBT is finding ways to deal with negative emotions in tangible ways that are specific to the life of the learner. By carefully analyzing past situations and responses, learners will be able to find new strength in areas like:
Interpersonal Effectiveness
Reaching out to others is a critical part of healing, and DBT gives children and teens a chance to learn and practice better ways to communicate and connect with peers and family.
Distress Tolerance
Past experience with trauma and stress is used to teach new ways to tolerate pain without trying to change it.
Emotional Regulation
Learners are led to look inward and identify the triggers that make them vulnerable and change their emotional response to future situations.
Mindfulness
Being grounded and fully aware of the present moment is the best way to effectively change behaviors. Much of the anxiety and pain that children and teens feel is wrapped up in previous experience and fear of what’s coming. In fact, the more they can remain connected to the present, the easier it will be to make good, conscious choices.
Reaching Out for Help Today
Suffering from mental health or substance abuse disorder is trying. Moreover, symptoms can make it difficult to live a normal life and can make you feel hopeless, frustrated, and alone. Finding treatment is the first step in the recovery process. Treatment centers offer the best and most effective types of psychotherapy in a safe and supportive environment. Therefore, contact us today at 866.262.0531 to learn more about your treatment options.
