Many people believe a co-occurring disorder is never-ending, permanently troubling daily life. However, through co-occurring disorders treatment, you can overcome your symptoms. This type of treatment helps you cope with everyday stress, repetitive thoughts, and behaviors that control you today. The first step to taking back control in your life is deciding to get the help you need.

About Co-Occurring DisordersTreatment

Your co-occurring disorders treatment involves multiple methods. You will work with doctors, specialists, psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses and others who understand the struggles you face every day. Through a combined approach, usually involving therapy and medication, you start feeling more control over your condition with each passing day. Soon, your co-occurring disorder no longer dictates how you live your life.

Of course, taking your life back from mental illness requires some hard work on your part. Most of this work takes place in therapy, where you learn about your co-occurring disorder and how to free yourself from it. Therapies used in co-occurring disorders treatment include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Exposure and response prevention (ERP)
• Individual counseling
• Family therapy
• Group therapy
• Art and music therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most highly recommended methods of behavioral therapy. In CBT, you learn how to break cycles of obsessions, anxiety, and compulsive behavior. Through CBT, you learn new ways of thinking, acting, and reacting to manage unhealthy thoughts and actions. You learn to feel relief without obsessions, intense anxiety, and repetitive behaviors.

In exposure therapy (ERP), you engage with a therapist while exposed to things that trigger your co-occurring symptoms. This allows you to practice working through these feelings without your compulsive rituals. This therapy takes place one-on-one with your therapist or in a group therapy environment.

Of course, different types of therapy offer unique benefits. Therefore, a well-rounded treatment program provides a mix of methods and approaches. These therapies and other counseling take place in individual sessions, among a group of peers and with your family. At Memphis Recovery Centers in Memphis, TN, you also use music and art therapy to learn new ways of managing your stress and coping struggles.

The Role of Medication in Co-Occurring DisordersTreatment

Medication plays a significant role in your co-occurring disorders treatment program. Most people in recovery start with antidepressants under a doctor’s care. At Memphis Recovery, you visit with a medical doctor and other providers who help you understand your individual needs and which medication best suits your potential for a better life. Which medication they recommend depends on many factors, such as your symptoms, age, health, and other mental health concerns.

The key to using medication is allowing the drug enough time to start working before making changes. Some of these helpful drugs require a few months to show a clear benefit. Meanwhile, you sometimes experience a range of side effects like dry mouth, nausea or suicidal thoughts. Therefore, being in a controlled environment provides the most safety while your doctor helps you figure out the right medication and dosage.

Once you start medication as part of a co-occurring disorders treatment program, you need to stay on course. The temptation to quit using your prescribed drug is often intense. You feel better and start doubting you need the medication at all. This doubt leads many people astray when they quit their regimen and suffer a relapse into the co-occurring disorder cycle.

Co-Occurring Disorders Treatment Changes Your Life

Co-Occurring Disorder takes up so much of your life now that you miss out on the happiness and fulfillment others feel daily. That is tragic, especially since the co-occurring disorders treatment program at Memphis Recovery Centers can meet your unique needs. Programs include:

• Residential substance abuse and co-occurring disorders treatment.
• Intensive outpatient treatment
• Partial hospitalization
• Aftercare for six months

Call Memphis Recovery Centers now at 866-672-7378 to learn more about available programs and treatment methods. With this one call, you start putting your co-occurring disorder in the past for a better life ahead.