Dual Diagnosis in Teens

The initial step in managing co-existing illnesses is figuring out which symptoms are related to mental health and which are related to substance abuse, as well as which condition came earlier. Differential diagnosis is the term for this practice. This is a crucial step because the therapy for a mental health problem and a substance abuse problem might be very different. Clinicians will make an assessment based on information from the individual, families, teachers, and other professionals, as well as their own investigations. This will aid them in making a diagnosis and deciding on the best way to proceed.

Integrated care, which treats both substance abuse and mental health simultaneously is the most efficacious treatment option for co-existing disorders. An interdisciplinary team of specialists, including a psychologist, psychiatrist, social services, and therapists, develops and implements an integrated treatment plan that treats both illnesses’ mental, emotional, and physical symptoms.

Therapy, medicine, or a mixture of the two may be used to treat co-existing disorders. The following is a list of treatment options that might help your adolescent recover:

• Drugs and Alcohol Detoxification
• Medical management of  Addiction
• Psychiatry Medication
• Family Therapy Medical Attention
• Psycho-education
• Psychotherapy
• Management of Cases
• Programs for Self-Help
• Other social services, such as community integration and well-being modalities such as meditation or yoga, are also available.

It’s critical that teenagers receive treatment for their problems. There might be challenges to recovery when you have a dual diagnosis (two illnesses at the same time). These can include, for example:

• Addiction therapy does not provide kids with appropriate coping mechanisms to use instead of turning to alcohol and drugs when life becomes difficult.
• Teenagers did not undergo psychotherapy to investigate prior traumas or other traumatic events that might have triggered drug use and contributed to mental illness.
• Other therapies that a kid may require to recover from a psychiatric disease that may be the root of addiction are not available through addiction therapy.

A teen’s life is more likely to be restored to health if they have access to a comprehensive spectrum of dual diagnosis treatment programs. Psychotropic medicine, for example, can help a teen’s brain chemicals level out, resulting in a more stable mood. If a kid is on psychiatric drugs, he or she will likely visit their psychiatrist at least once per month to confirm that the medicine is effective.

Family therapy is often advised as part of a teenager’s complete dual diagnosis treatment since mental illness and addiction can have a negative impact on family connections. Teenagers can also participate in support networks such as 12-step sessions and other programs that connect them with others who are dealing with similar diseases. It’s vital to remember that treatment entails more than just drug counseling, medicine, psychotherapy, and support networks. Teenagers should be motivated to involve in self-soothing and caring activities such as bathing, walking, sharing time with loved ones, yoga, and/or prayer. Teenagers may require leisure activities like trekking, going to the cinema, playing games, or even taking a day-long family vacation as part of treatment. In rehabilitation, it is just as crucial for teenagers to have fun as it is to explore, learn, and transform.

The following are some of the therapies that are frequently recommended:

• CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) aims to change harmful behaviors, improve mental control, and establish positive coping mechanisms.
• Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT) – Addresses the unique requirements of children and teens suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other traumatic life events.
• Motivational rewards and incentives are used to promote beneficial behavioral changes in relapse prevention.
• DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) concentrates on social and emotional components to assist people to manage their emotions and destructive habits.
• Motivational interviewing (MI) focuses on overcoming ambivalent sentiments and anxieties in order to find the internal desire to modify undesirable habits.
• Multisystem Therapy (MST) is a familial and community-based practice that focuses on the families and lives of adolescents, as well as their schools and instructors, their neighborhoods, and friends.
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) combines accepting and meditation tactics with dedication and behavior change approach to develop acceptance and commitment.
• You are a crucial part of the therapy process as a family member or parent/guardian. Family therapy is frequently used to involve the family in managing challenging symptoms and supporting recovery progress.