Addiction recovery is challenging, but co-occurring disorders bring even more obstacles to the table. Anxiety, depression, and panic are common conditions that happen alongside addiction. As a result, for recovery to happen, you must address and treat these issues as well. If you think someone you love may suffer from substance use disorder complicated by a second medical condition, contact Red Oak Recovery in North Carolina for help by calling 828.382.9699. We’ll guide you through the signs that show your family member may need co-occurring disorder treatment.
Loss of Interest in Enjoyable Activities
A significant sign of substance use disorder complicated by depression is a loss of interest in hobbies and activities that your friend once enjoyed. If your loved one no longer wants to pursue their passions, such as playing golf, going out with friends, or spending time at the gym, this could be an indicator of a bigger problem. Addiction makes it difficult to concentrate or enjoy doing anything but using the drug. Additionally, depression saps your loved one’s energy, making even simple tasks feel overwhelming. Both are recognizable medical conditions that require co-occurring disorder treatment. Dual diagnosis treatment is the solution.
Overwhelming Feelings of Sadness
Many medical conditions may contribute to feelings of sadness or melancholy. These include:
- Depression
- General anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- Grief
- Trauma
If your family member seems unusually sad much of the time, they may struggle with one or more of these disorders. When coupled with addiction, a second disorder complicates treatment. To fully recover, they need a drug and alcohol treatment center that offers help for co-occurring medical conditions. Dual diagnosis treatment is life-altering and may use various therapies that include medication, counseling, and holistic care to help your loved one achieve sobriety and regain control over their life.
Inability to Leave the House
If your loved one who struggles with substance use disorder suddenly stops leaving the house, this could be an indicator of social anxiety disorder. Social anxiety disorder, or SAD, is a phobia that involves extreme self-consciousness and fear of embarrassing oneself in public. People who have SAD may be unable to attend parties, gather with friends, or even step over the threshold of their front door for fear something terrible may happen. Disorders like SAD present unique challenges to those seeking recovery for substance use disorder. Still, help is available for those who wish to achieve sobriety.
Reach Out to Red Oak Recovery
If you suspect a loved one needs help for addiction with co-occurring disorders, sit down with them, and discuss their options. While you can’t force a family member to seek treatment, you can gently encourage them to help themselves. The most productive conversations focus on improving the quality of life in the future instead of discussing guilt and blaming from the past. Try not to judge your loved one. They’re not sick on purpose. They don’t use drugs or alcohol to annoy others or to make life more difficult for the family. Instead, they have an uncontrolled illness. As a result, they need professional medical care to feel better.
At Red Oak Recovery, we offer dual diagnosis treatment for addiction and co-occurring disorders such:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- PTSD
- Bipolar disorder
- Disordered eating
Encouraging your loved one to call is an essential first step. At Red Oak Recovery, your friend or family member will find relief. They’ll learn healthier coping skills and practice positive recovery behaviors. They’ll also undergo counseling for accompanying conditions and learn how to make life manageable once again.
Co-occurring disorder treatment is available, and it’s easier to find than you or your loved one may realize. Contact Red Oak Recovery today at 828.382.9699 for answers to questions you may have.
