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Families considering treatment for a loved one with addiction can benefit from knowing that the gold standard for treating substance use disorders (SUDs) involving alcohol or drugs is dual diagnosis treatment. Dual diagnosis treatment refers to the treatment of substance abuse that co-occurs with another mental disorder, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), among other so-called dual diagnoses.
These co-occurring disorders (CODs) disproportionately affect people with addiction—at a rate of roughly 40 percent, by conservative estimates—suggesting that substance abuse often begins as an effort to self-medicate the symptoms of an untreated COD. Effective professional treatment for addiction addresses this root cause, by treating both the underlying condition (whatever the diagnosis) and the SUD.
What families also need to know is that their involvement in the recovery process can be critical to their loved one’s success in a dual diagnosis treatment program. To that end, this article will lay out the research showing how recovery from addiction and dual diagnosis improves with family involvement. The takeaway: that a drug or alcohol treatment provider that encourages family involvement in the recovery process, (through, for example, a Family Program offering therapy and support to families), is always your best bet.
A number of studies point to how family involvement in the therapeutic process can relieve the symptoms of a dual diagnosis. Consider, for example, the fact that anxiety and depression are the two most common CODs among the substance abuse population. (For more information, see the Learning Center article “Common Co-Occurring Disorders Associated with Addiction.”) When therapeutic interventions for these disorders engage family members of the dually diagnosed loved one, they achieve better results, as evidenced by the following findings:
The same general trend is evident with respect to family interventions for more severe CODs like schizophrenia. As it is, the severe mental illness of a loved one places a significant strain on family members—but when that mental illness co-occurs with substance use, the inevitable pressures related to caregiving and family conflict are that much greater, as a 2013 study in Schizophrenia Bulletin concluded.
Strikingly, the study’s authors found that when families took part in a “Family Intervention for Dual Disorders” program, which over a period of nine to 18 months equipped clients and their families with problem-solving, communication and coping tools, clients experienced “significantly less severe overall psychiatric symptoms and psychotic symptoms and tended to improve more in functioning.” Even more striking was the fact that these results were achieved with “relatively low” family involvement in the program—suggesting that a little family involvement in a loved one’s recovery can go a long way.
Multiple studies also show that family involvement in a loved one’s recovery predicts better long-term treatment outcomes for substance abuse, regardless of the client’s age. (For related information, see the article “How Family Therapy Can Boost Long-Term Recovery.”) Consider the following findings, for example:
There is also ample evidence to suggest that family participation in support groups boosts recovery rates. A good deal of that evidence comes from studies into the benefits of 12-step groups like Al-Anon for families in recovery:
A loved one’s dual diagnosis can be overwhelming, but no family has to face it alone. Getting professional support is one of the best things you can do to help a loved one with addiction find freedom and recovery. For a free, confidential consultation on behalf of a loved one, please contact us today. To learn more about our resources for families, we also invite you to explore our Wellness Program and Two-Day Workshop.
Whether you’re researching for yourself or a loved one, Beach House can help. We understand that this is a serious time in your life and that the treatment center you choose matters. We want you to feel comfortable and empowered to make the right decision for yourself, a friend, or a family member. This is why a counselor is waiting and available to answer your questions and help put your mind at ease regarding the next steps. Many of the staff at Beach House have walked in your shoes. If you feel you’re ready or want more information about how to help a loved one, we can help today. You can also learn why we are voted the #1 rehab for addiction treatment in Florida.
