Can an Addiction Center Treat Addiction & Depression?

Depression and addiction unfortunately seem to go hand-in-hand. Known as a dual diagnosis, the combination of a substance abuse disorder (SUD) with a mental disorder like depression can be devastating.

To recover from both depression and substance abuse, you will need to treat both conditions at the same time.

Dual Diagnosis: Treating Depression & Addiction Together

Depression and addiction work together to impair your ability to better your mental health. If your depression worsens, it will get harder not to use drugs or alcohol. If you are using drugs and alcohol, it can exacerbate the symptoms of depression.

Together, these conditions can create a nearly endless cycle of self-abuse.

Luckily, many addiction treatment centers throughout the United States offer services to treat a dual diagnosis. Although not all treatment centers are qualified or experienced in treating dual diagnoses. It is important to do your research.

4 Important Things To Look For If You’re Dealing With Depression & Addiction

The following four steps can help you find an addiction center that is right for you.

#1. Research Which Addiction Centers Treat Your Dual Diagnosis

An addiction center may treat depression and addiction. Yet, that does not mean they have experience treating the specific dual diagnosis you have received. For example, a treatment center may treat depression and alcohol addiction, but it may not treat depression and opioid addiction, which is what you might be struggling with.

It is important to find out which specific addictions, as well as which specific mental health conditions, are treated at each addiction center you are considering.

Equally important is finding out if they have a track record of success treating your dual diagnosis before entering treatment. It is one thing for an addiction center’s website to say that they have experience treating your dual diagnosis, but what they say in their online advertisement may not mirror their reviews or the opinions of other treatment professionals in the industry. 

Before agreeing to treatment at an addiction center, you should be able to see that they have a demonstrated track record of success. You can research their track record using Google or ask your counselor or other medical providers their opinion of the addiction center’s work and reputation.

#2. Decide if Inpatient or Outpatient Is Best for You

Not all dual diagnoses are the same. You may be entering treatment before your addiction progresses too far, which means you have only mild to moderate symptoms. In this case, an outpatient addiction center may be best for you. Although, an inpatient addiction center is likely the better option if you are struggling with severe addiction.

Inpatient and outpatient addiction centers will offer therapies and medications under the advisement of medical professionals. The main difference between the two is the time spent in the facility.

In an inpatient rehab program, you will be living at the facility and will have access to 24/7 care to help stabilize your mood. This is often necessary for severe addictions. The benefits of inpatient rehab include receiving intensive therapy in a safe, substance-free environment.

Conversely, in an outpatient drug treatment program, you will visit the center once or twice during the week to receive therapy, medication, and support. This sometimes allows you to manage the other daily responsibilities in your life, like work or school.

For these reasons, outpatient programs can also be beneficial for those who have milder addictions and who are worried about affording rehab. Outpatient programs can ease the financial burden by allowing you to continue working part-time while receiving treatment.

#3. Understand Your Values

Recovering from a dual diagnosis requires vulnerability and trust with your treatment team. To ensure a positive relationship with your treatment team, it is crucial to pick an addiction center that matches your values and beliefs. There is a wide array of treatment centers that operate with different treatment philosophies and cater to different values.

To understand your values as they relate to addiction centers, it is essential to ask these questions:

• Do I want to be in a religious or non-religious addiction center?

• Do I want to use medications during my treatment or only more holistic methods?

• How do I express myself?

The latter question is useful because addiction centers will sometimes offer different types of specialized therapies such as art, music, dance, or nature therapy. If you feel any specific activities in life, bring you joy or peace, finding an addiction center that utilizes those activities in treatment will give you a better chance of recovery.

#4. Speak to an Admissions Counselor 

Most addiction centers have admissions counselors who can explain more about their treatment program and answer any questions you have. Speaking to an admissions counselor will give you a better sense of whether or not their staff is credentialed to treat your dual diagnosis, have a good reputation, and offer the services you need for a successful recovery.

Essential questions to ask an admissions counselor include:

• Do you offer evidence-based treatment options?

• Do you treat dual diagnoses?

• What kind of addictions do you have experience treating?

• What mental health conditions do you have experience treating?

• What alumni programs do you offer?

• What payments do you accept?

• Do you offer any financial assistance?

• What credentials, licensing, and accreditation do your staff and facility have? 

• What is your treatment philosophy?

• Do you personalize addiction treatment?

• Do you offer supervised detox?

• Do you offer support to family members?

• Does your program teach essential life skills necessary to maintain sobriety?

At The Forge Recovery Center, we know how hard it can be to receive a dual diagnosis. Struggling with depression and addiction involves a vicious cycle that can drain you of your happiness and peace.

To make it a full recovery, you must be given the tools to handle and heal from each condition.

Get Effective, Evidence-Based Treatment for Addiction & Depression at The Forge Recovery Center

Our expertly trained staff has years of treating depression and various substance abuse disorders. The Forge Recovery Center focuses on personalized treatment that fits your lifestyle and beliefs because we know how important it is for you to be comfortable during recovery. With a wide variety of evidence-based therapies that have proven to be successful at treating depression and addiction, we can help you find a treatment plan that works for you.

We’re happy to answer any questions you have. To learn more, contact The Forge Recovery Center today.

Written by

Brian Moore

Content Writer

Reviewed by

Jeremy Arzt

Chief Clinical Officer

August 16, 2022