Co-occurring disorders, also known as dual diagnoses, are closely connected. Many of the twenty-one million Americans who struggle with a substance use disorder also struggle with one or more mental health conditions. Depending on the individual, they may be aware of one diagnosis or the other (either their addiction or mental health concerns) before realizing that they have a dual diagnosis. Statistics show as many as half of those who seek treatment for mental illness or addiction also experience substance use disorder.

Although there is little evidence to point to one causing the other, struggles with addiction can lead to new or worsening mental health symptoms and ongoing struggles with mental health often lead to drug or alcohol abuse to dull the emotional and psychological symptoms of the illness. Without treatment at an addiction treatment center specializing in dual diagnosis treatment, it can be challenging to fully recover from addiction. 

What Is Dual Diagnosis? 

Dual diagnosis conditions are common. When someone has a dual diagnosis, it means they have both a mental health disorder and a problem with alcohol or drugs. Dual diagnosis conditions often share overlapping symptoms and similar root causes. Co-occurring conditions are significantly intertwined, making the concept of treating one condition without acknowledging the other very difficult and less than beneficial for you. When you choose a dual diagnosis treatment center, you receive treatment in a facility where treatment professionals are trained to address both mental health and addiction-related concerns. Dual diagnosis treatment programs ensure all areas of your diagnosis are addressed, providing the most comprehensive opportunity for recovery.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers in the Bay Area Treat Addiction & Mental Illness 

The best option for someone with a dual diagnosis is to complete a program at a treatment facility where treatment professionals are trained to address co-occurring disorders. 

Dual diagnosis treatment programs at Cal Recovery allow the individual and the treatment team to focus on all areas of the problem providing the most comprehensive opportunity for recovery.

As part of a dual diagnosis treatment program, you will work with your treatment team to identify and address particular mental health conditions that you might struggle with and the emotional and psychological factors that may have led to maladaptive and addictive behaviors. Often, substance abuse develops out of using drugs or alcohol as a form of self-medication. Dual diagnosis therapy can help you learn more about how substances are used to self-medicate and then learn healthier, safer coping strategies to use throughout treatment and recovery.

A specialized dual diagnosis treatment center in the bay area will utilize evidence-based, holistic treatment such as yoga, massage therapy, meditation, and nutritional counseling in conjunction with traditional therapies, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), to ensure the most comprehensive treatment program possible. During counseling, you will participate in one-to-one (individual), group, and family support sessions that address both your addiction and mental health treatment needs.

If you struggle with a mental health condition and a substance use disorder (addiction), dual diagnosis treatment is essential to a safe and successful recovery. Unfortunately, not all addiction treatment programs are equipped to address the unique needs of dual diagnosis treatment. Our highly skilled treatment team at Cal Recovery will work with you to design a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses your specific treatment needs and goals. Our team of addiction treatment and mental health professionals are here to provide support and guidance as you begin your journey to recovery. 

Contact our admissions team at Cal Recovery today if you would like to learn more about dual diagnosis treatment in the bay area and how our programs can help you. 

Beginning in the 1970s, the United States government began to utilize the Controlled Substance Act. The Controlled Substances Act or CSA established federal policy regulating the manufacture, importation, possession, use, and distribution of certain drugs. The goal of the act is to protect the public from drugs that could be dangerous and addictive. Drugs are categorized based on various factors, including their addictive potential and ability to cause harm when used or misused. Currently, controlled substances are divided into five different classes. 

The Five Classes of Drugs Explained

The Controlled Substance Act categorizes drugs into five classes or “schedules.” The schedules range from one to five, and drugs are placed in each category based on their use, addiction potential, and typical medical use. Some drugs are also categorized based on how their chemical compounds interact with the brain and body of the user. 

Schedule 1 Drugs

Schedule 1 drugs are those that have no official (or legal) medical use in the United States. There are over 100 schedules 1 drugs, including opiates, opium derivatives, hallucinogens, and some depressants and stimulants. Schedule 1 drugs are considered the highest risk drugs and can put users at high risk for developing a substance use disorder (addiction). Drugs that are considered schedule 1 include Heroin, LSD, Ecstasy, and Peyote. Although legal in many states, Marijuana also remains categorized as a schedule 1 drug. 

Schedule 2 Drugs

Schedule 2 drugs are also high risk. Unlike schedule 1 drugs, which are generally illicit (illegal), schedule 2 drugs may be prescription or illicit. Although your risk for developing a substance use disorder is reduced if a prescribed medication is taken as directed, your risk for developing an addiction to a schedule 2 drug is enhanced when the drug is misused or taken for an extended time. Some well-known schedule 2 drugs include Morphine, Cocaine, OxyContin, Fentanyl, Demerol, Hydrocodone, Methadone, Methamphetamine, Ritalin, and Adderall. 

Schedule 3 Drugs

Schedule 3 drugs are not without addiction risk; however, the risk level is lower than that of schedule 1 or schedule 2 drugs. Your medical provider often prescribes schedule 3 drugs to manage illness, injuries, and other medical conditions. Commonly prescribed schedule 3 drugs include Ketamine, Anabolic steroids, Buprenorphine (Suboxone), and Codeine. 

Schedule 4 Drugs

Schedule 4 drugs are medications typically prescribed to treat various medical and mental health conditions. These drugs are categorized as schedule 4 due to a low risk for developing a substance use disorder. Drugs that are a part of this class include Diazepam (Valium), Lorazepam (Ativan), Clonazepam (Klonopin), and Alprazolam (Xanax). 

Schedule 5 Drugs

Schedule 5 drugs have the least addictive risk. In general, these medications are also prescribed by your primary care provider. The most well-known drug in this class is cough medications that contain codeine. 

How to Get Help With a Drug or Alcohol Addiction

If you or a loved one struggles with a drug or alcohol addiction, it is essential to seek help from a professional addiction treatment facility like Cal Recovery. Depending on the severity of your addiction, and the substance or substances you use, you may experience withdrawal if you try to reduce or stop using. Choosing a treatment center like Cal Recovery can help you detox safely and successfully. Once detox is complete, you can transition into a therapeutic treatment program to begin your journey towards overcoming addiction. 

Contact our admissions team today if you would like to learn more about our Roseville, CA treatment center and how our addiction treatment programs can help you get well. Let us work with you to design a comprehensive treatment program that focuses on your unique treatment needs and goals. 

When people think about “addictive” drugs, the first to come to mind are opioid pain medications and various other street drugs. Benzodiazepines or “benzos” do not receive the same level of attention. Like prescription pain medications, benzodiazepines are legally prescribed by your healthcare provider. When used as indicated, they are highly beneficial in helping reduce the intensity and severity of symptoms associated with various health conditions. They share another unfortunate characteristic with opioids as well. Benzodiazepines are often misused and highly addictive. 

What Are Benzos?

Benzos or benzodiazepines are the name of a broad class of drugs prescribed to treat anxiety and panic disorders and difficulties sleeping, muscle relaxation, seizures, and as part of a treatment plan for alcohol use disorder recovery. Known for their tranquilizing effect, well-known benzos include Ativan, Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium.

When used as directed by your medical or mental health provider, benzos can help reduce the symptoms of illness. However, because the chemical properties of the drug work in the brain and body in similar ways to opioids, these drugs are frequently abused. Benzodiazepines act on the central nervous system producing sensations of relaxation and sedation. Because of their sedative effects and helpful ability to reduce (and often entirely remove) feelings of panic and anxiety, it does not take long for someone to become addicted to “feeling good” and therefore addicted to the drug that produces those feelings. 

The Dangers of Quitting Benzos Cold Turkey

Taking benzos as part of a therapeutic treatment plan is generally safe; however, withdrawal can be dangerous. It is highly recommended that those looking to detox from benzodiazepines do so in a controlled environment under medical supervision. When you reduce or stop taking benzos, you will experience withdrawal symptoms. Most acute withdrawal symptoms begin within 24 hours of your last dose and, depending on the severity of your addiction, last a few days to several weeks. Acute withdrawal symptoms often include anxiety, difficulty sleeping, muscle spasms, gastric disturbances, hallucinations, seizures, cognitive difficulties, etc. For some, suicidal thoughts and actions may also emerge.

The Benefits of Going to Benzo Detox in California

Withdrawal symptoms can be severe and difficult to manage without medical supervision. Quitting benzos cold turkey (without help) could mean medical assistance is not available if needed. During medically supervised Detox at Cal Recovery Center, medical and mental health treatment professionals will provide support and guidance throughout Detox. Depending on your needs, they will monitor your vitals continuously throughout the detox process and, in some cases, give medications to help reduce the intensity and severity of your withdrawal symptoms.  Ongoing medical supervision increases your safety should life-threatening withdrawal symptoms occur.

Another benefit of detoxing in California is the ease of transition into a comprehensive addiction treatment program. Although vital to starting your recovery journey, detox itself is not a standalone treatment for benzo addiction. To achieve and maintain lasting sobriety, it is essential to complete a treatment program focused on helping you understand and overcome an addiction to benzos. Here at Cal Recovery Center, our treatment team works with you from the beginning to design an individualized treatment plan focused on your physical and psychological needs. 

If you or a loved one struggle with benzo addiction, going to a benzo detox in California is vital to successfully and safely detoxing. Stopping cold turkey may mean medical intervention is not available should you need help during Detox. Cold turkey detox can quickly become overwhelming and challenging to manage, leading to relapse instead of sobriety. If you are ready to overcome an addiction to benzos, reach out to our California admissions team today to learn more about our detox and addiction treatment programs.