OCD and Drug Addiction: Can I Get Help With Both?

When individuals struggle with more than one mental health disorder at a time and they are directly or indirectly related, this is called concurrent disorders and they are treated as a “dual-diagnosis” at the same time.

Treatment centers specialize in supporting individuals with dual diagnoses by offering specific treatment programs to address certain mental health disorders in addition to addiction. 

At Starbridge Recovery, we support individuals with addiction treatment and a number of mental health disorders. Our exclusive programming and tailored treatments help us redefine addiction treatment at our luxury rehab center.

What Is OCD?

OCD stands for obsessive-compulsive disorder. It is a mental health disorder that is characterized as a “common, chronic, and long-lasting disorder in which a person has uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts (obsessions) and/or behaviors (compulsions) that they feel the urge to repeat over and over.”

According to the National Institute on Mental Health, “a person with OCD generally, 

  • Can’t control his or her thoughts or behaviors, even when those thoughts or behaviors are recognized as excessive
  • Spends at least 1 hour a day on these thoughts or behaviors
  • Doesn’t get pleasure when performing the behaviors or rituals, but may feel brief relief from the anxiety the thoughts cause
  • Experiences significant problems in their daily life due to these thoughts or behaviors”

An individual suffering from this type of chronic and repetitive behavior may seek out prescription medication or illegal drugs to inhibit these symptoms.

What Are the Signs of Drug Addiction?

Signs of drug addiction can vary from person to person and based on the drug used. However, there are some common behavioral and physical changes that occur when an individual starts using a substance.

  • Changing friends a lot
  • Spending a lot of time alone
  • Losing interest in favorite things
  • Not taking care of themselves – for example, not taking showers, changing clothes, or brushing their teeth
  • Being really tired and sad
  • Eating more or eating less than usual
  • Being very energetic, talking fast, or saying things that don’t make sense
  • Being in a bad mood
  • Quickly changing between feeling bad and feeling good
  • Sleeping at strange hours
  • Missing important appointments
  • Having problems at work or at school
  • Having problems in personal or family relationships”

Drug use may also exacerbate other mental health symptoms, like those a person with OCD might experience.

Can I Get Help for OCD and Drug Addiction at the Same Time?

Yes! When an individual has two simultaneously occurring mental health concerns, they can receive treatment under the umbrella of “dual-diagnosis.” Dual-diagnosis treatment programs focus on treating both the mental health concern, in this case, OCD, and the addiction or substance use disorder. Treatment is designed around coping mechanisms and self-management skills, as well as contingency management for overwhelming situations. 

Starbridge Recovery – Dual-Diagnosis Treatment Plans

At Starbridge Recovery, we work to create personalized treatment solutions for each client because you’re worth it. Our detox, rehabilitation, and aftercare programs focus on you achieving your addiction treatment and mental health goals.

We use a combination of evidence-based therapeutic treatments and alternative holistic treatments to ensure that our clients have the best opportunity to heal their minds, body, and spirit.  Through dual-diagnosis treatment, we help clients identify the root cause of their addiction and address the issues it has created and how it has an impact or been caused by their other mental illnesses. 

Using group therapy, individualized counseling, and even family therapy, we teach our clients coping and self-management skills to ensure they have a solid foundation to build on before graduation.

At Starbridge Recovery we believe in personalized care and treatment. Contact us today to see how we can work to support you on your journey of recovery.

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