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Adolescent and Young Adult Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program in Iowa

In Ember Recovery adolescent and young adult dual diagnosis treatment program, individuals will have 24/7 monitoring of their mental and physical health. Dual diagnosis is also referred to as co-occurring. 

Based on a personalized treatment plan, teens and young adults may take part in individual and group therapy to cope with barriers to sobriety, such as intrusive thoughts, lack of motivation, and socialization issues.

The individualized treatment program may include:

  • A thorough evaluation of mental health and substance use history
  • Counseling to address the relationship between substance use and mental health conditions
  • Medication to address the symptoms of mental health
  • Support and education for family
  • Follow-up programs for support once the inpatient program is complete

Whether your child has tried other programs in the past or this is the first time, it’s important to find a program that caters specifically to teens and young adults and addresses dual diagnosis. With a residential program and a community of supportive peers, individuals can relearn habits and build healthy relationships with others to move forward on a healthier path.

How Is Ember Recovery Different?

With a focus on teens aged 12 to 17 and young adults ages 18-24 separately, Ember Recovery takes a different approach to inpatient rehab for teens and young adults through various programs. Our adolescent and young adults dual diagnosis treatment programs include individualized treatment plans that incorporate evidence-based modalities like group and family therapy to support sustainable recovery and healing.

Our inpatient rehab includes medical and mental healthcare 24/7 with therapy, support, medication, and health services to treat dual diagnoses. Each condition receives intervention at the same time, helping individuals not only cope with addiction but also manage the mental health condition that may contribute to it.

Residential rehab can be stressful for parents, but at Ember Recovery, you can count on an open and transparent process. We’ll keep you informed about progress, setbacks, and successes so you can trust that your child is in good hands.

Dual diagnosis can be challenging, but your child can get better with proper treatment and support at Ember Recovery.

Ember Recovery staff talking with a client
Outdoor activities at Ember Recovery

Why Choose Adolescent and Young Adults Dual Diagnosis Treatment?

Teens and young adults with mental health problems are at a higher risk for developing an addiction to drugs or alcohol. When the treatment focuses on addiction alone, underlying mental health conditions may go unnoticed and untreated.

Dual diagnosis, or the co-occurrence of a mental health disorder and a drug or alcohol problem, requires dual diagnosis treatment to address both the substance use and the underlying mental health condition.

Parents know how challenging it can be to find appropriate treatment for an adolescent or young adult who uses drugs or alcohol, especially with a mental health condition like depression or bipolar disorder.

Most programs that treat mental health don’t also treat substance use, requiring the individual to seek treatment for one before addressing the other.

Other programs only treat addiction and don’t address underlying mental health disorders, whether they are diagnosed yet, or not.

Since substance use disorders are so closely linked with mental health disorders, it’s crucial to treat both conditions simultaneously for the best outcomes for lasting recovery.

Why Did My Child Turn to Alcohol or Drugs?

Adolescents and young adults may experiment with drugs and alcohol for many reasons, including rebellion, peer pressure, and curiosity. Sometimes, substance use comes from self-medicating to find an escape or cope with life’s challenges, such as the stress of being a high achiever or the effects of trauma.

When underlying mental health concerns go unnoticed or unaddressed, initial substance use may quickly develop into a dangerous addiction. Then, the increased substance use further exacerbates the mental health condition, creating a vicious cycle. It’s crucial, therefore, for dual diagnosis treatment, which simultaneously treats individuals’ addiction and mental health concerns.

What Is Dual Diagnosis?

Dual diagnosis is a specific combination of diagnoses that include a substance use disorder and mental illness.[1] While mental health conditions may not directly cause substance use disorders – and vice versa – those with mental health conditions are more susceptible to addiction. They self-medicate symptoms, leading to increased substance use.

This is counterintuitive because alcohol and drug use can worsen the symptoms of mental illness. In addition, prolonged use of substances increases the risk of mental illness. The more advanced the mental illness, the greater the likelihood of a person also using substances.[1]

How Is Dual Diagnosis Treated?

Dual diagnosis can be particularly difficult for teens and young adults. Family and peers may assume the youth lacks willpower in the face of stress or peer pressure or chooses to behave this way. Still, it’s essential to realize that mental illness and substance use disorders require professional help. “Just say no” isn’t enough.

While therapy and support systems help, youth with dual diagnosis are prone to relapse. Treatment programs solely treating substance use are not ideal for individuals with a diagnosed or suspected mental illness. Deterring these teens and young adults from taking certain prescriptions or forcing them to confront their struggles may not be effective with a mental health disorder – worse yet, it may prompt a relapse.

Dual diagnosis treatment is a better approach to treating both disorders. When substance use and a mental health condition are treated together, the symptoms of both can decrease significantly. With an inpatient program, individuals can share in peer groups facing the same challenges, giving them a support system and a better grasp of their conditions.

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Sources:
[1] https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/October-2017/Understanding-Dual-Diagnosis

Ember Recovery Blog