When it comes to substance use disorders, there are co-occurring disorders often at play. The most common co-occurring disorders tend to be anxiety and depression. Many people who use substances, do so to cope with their feelings from anxiety or depression. The dual diagnosis of substance use disorders and co-occurring disorders are very often intertwined. Oftentimes, people start using to help them cope with their difficult feelings, masking the symptoms from another illness. At Arbor Behavioral Healthcare, we treat the whole person. This includes any co-occurring disorders you may have. We offer many different dual diagnosis programs, such as the following:
- Bipolar Disorder and addiction
- Depression and addiction
- Anxiety and addiction
- Trauma-related disorders and addiction
- Personality disorders and addiction
- Schizophrenia spectrum disorders and addiction
These disorders are very real and need treatment just as much as the substance use disorder. With our programs, we help you learn that masking the pain by using isn’t the best option. We help give you healthy coping skills you can use in a crisis, instead of reaching for alcohol or drugs.
Healthy Coping Skills
Although, in the past, using felt like a viable option, we are here to help show you otherwise. We know that stressful situations can be overwhelming. They often induce anxiety and depression in us, making us want to use. Although these unhealthy coping skills seem like a good idea, they really are just a Band-Aid to the problem. There are two main types of healthy coping skills: problem-based and emotion-based coping skills.
- Problem-based coping skills
- These skills are used when you are in a tough spot and you need to change the situation. By challenging the stressful system and removing it, you are able to decrease the stress you are feeling. Here are some examples of problem-based coping skills:
- Creating healthy boundaries
- Physically removing yourself from the situation
- Managing your time
- Problem-solving in the moment
- These skills are used when you are in a tough spot and you need to change the situation. By challenging the stressful system and removing it, you are able to decrease the stress you are feeling. Here are some examples of problem-based coping skills:
- Emotion-based coping skills
- These skills are used when you need to soothe your feelings during a tough situation. This happens when you cannot change the situation, so your focus turns to distraction to eliminate the stress. Here are some examples of emotion-based coping skills:
- Meditation
- Reading a good book
- Exercising
- Art therapy
- These skills are used when you need to soothe your feelings during a tough situation. This happens when you cannot change the situation, so your focus turns to distraction to eliminate the stress. Here are some examples of emotion-based coping skills:
Arbor Behavioral Healthcare is here for you. We can help you learn the tools you need to eliminate your stress. Alcohol and drugs aren’t the answer. Our programs are the answer. Call us today at 844-413-2690. We can’t wait to speak with you.