MAT & Counseling: How Both of These Services Assist with Dual Diagnosis Treatment
In many cases, alcohol or drug abuseaddiction is usually accompanied by mental health or behavioral disorder. The combination of conditions is known as dual diagnosis. Dual diagnosis is actually more prevalent than most people realize. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse data, 7.7 million adults in the US have a co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorder.
Examples of mental health disorders associated with substance abuse include ADHD, depression, eating disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, paranoia, to name a few.While both conditions commonly occur together, it can be difficult to tell which one came first. However, their interaction can make each issue worse with time. Being interrelated, an integrated treatment plan that addresses both problems concurrently is usually preferred.
So, if you’re looking for dual diagnosis treatment centers near me?, one of the most effective dual diagnosis treatments is a combination of MAT and Counseling. This guide takes a look at both approaches and what they address:
What is MAT?
Medically-assisted treatment, otherwise known as MAT, is the use of medication, usually together with other forms of treatment, to help individuals overcome substance abuse disorder.
MAT is typically tailored to address the specific needs of the addiction patient and is especially beneficial for opioid addiction, but it is also used in treating alcohol addiction.
Some of the benefits the treatment has been associated with include:
- High treatment retention
- Increased likelihood of patients getting and maintaining employment
- Reduced drug use and criminal activity among substance users
- Higher survival rates among users
- Better birth outcomes among female users after recovery
The Purpose Of Counseling
Counseling is the process where a certified professional counselor helps an individual or group of people work through a set of mental health or behavioral issues through a collaborative effort. It is also known as talk therapy.
Counseling sessions usually explore specific issues and their root causes. It then tries to develop long-lasting solutions for the individual in question. This method is often used during treatment for stress, depression, anger issues, anxiety, addictions, compulsions, eating disorders, etc.
How Do the Two Combine to Treat Dual Diagnosis?
To effectively treat dual diagnosis, counseling and medication are often required. MAT medications help manage the withdrawal symptoms and the psychological cravings that cause chemical imbalances in one’s body. But the specialist decides this depending on the addictive substance and level of dependency.
MAT medications are temporary and help patients overcome the initial hurdles of getting over addiction. On the other hand, counseling helps work on the psychological aspect of addiction.Characterized by several sessions, which may go on for weeks or months, talk therapy unpacks the patient’s alcohol/ substance abuse and how it relates to the co-occurring mental/ behavioral issue.
Can I Get MAT & Counseling in Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers Near Me?
A combination of MAT and counseling helps dual diagnosis patients overcome their addiction and psychological issues without worrying about withdrawal, which can sometimes be incredibly severe. So, if you have been diagnosed with comorbidity, this treatment approach can help you overcome your issues. However, make sure you get treatment from a reputable center near you.
