Key Takeaways
- In clinical practice, accurately diagnosing and treating co-occurring substance use disorders and personality disorders is crucial.
- Borderline personality disorder (BPD), in particular, is known for its high comorbidity with addiction and substance use disorders.
- Patients with comorbid substance use disorder and dependence disorders often have high treatment utilization needs, requiring comprehensive and coordinated care.
- Dual diagnosis treatment is necessary to address psychiatric disorders such as personality disorders alongside drug/alcohol dependence.
- The Lakes Treatment Center offers dual diagnosis therapy to address mental health conditions such as personality disorders, as well as drug and alcohol dependence.
If you are struggling with a personality disorder and addiction, there are treatment options available. Co-occurring disorders are much more common than people realize, which is why there are a variety of treatment resources now available.
Both personality disorders and addiction are forms of mental illness, and it is important to recognize when multiple mental illnesses occur together, as this can impact diagnosis and the effectiveness of treatment.
In this article, we discuss whether it’s possible to get treatment for a personality disorder and addiction. We also explore why dual diagnosis treatment is the best for these co-occurring disorders.
How the Different Types of Personality Disorders Affect Addiction
It’s important to understand that personality disorders are a broad term to describe a specific type of mental health condition. There are actually several different types of personality disorders, all of which have different symptoms and impact addiction in different ways.
Here are the different types of personality disorders that could develop:
- Class A: Paranoid personality disorder, schizoid personality disorder, and schizotypal personality disorder.
- Class B: Borderline personality disorder (BPD), histrionic personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, and antisocial personality disorder.
- Class C: Avoidant personality disorder, dependent personality disorder, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.
No matter the situation, it is very important to get a diagnosis from a mental health professional so that you know what type of personality disorder you have. This is especially important if you have a personality disorder and addiction, as each personality disorder will have different symptoms.
For example, those who fit into the class A or class C personality disorder categories may find that they are more likely to abuse substances. Axis II comorbidity is common, with mood disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder frequently co-occurring, which can complicate both diagnosis and treatment.
To summarize: accurate personality disorder diagnoses are essential, and mental health professionals rely on established diagnostic criteria, such as those found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5), to ensure proper identification and treatment planning.
Personality Disorders and Addiction: Understanding Co-Occurring Disorders
Co-occurring disorders are when you have a mental health disorder in combination with a substance abuse disorder. You may have these disorders at the same time, without them necessarily directly relating to one another. Or, as is the case in most situations, one of the disorders may have caused the other disorder to develop. Research shows that these conditions commonly co-occur, making diagnosis and treatment more complex.
Personality disorders and addiction are a bit more unique since personality disorders usually develop early on in life. The most common causes of personality disorders are genetics or the environment you grow up in. Because of this, it is very unlikely that a substance abuse problem could directly cause a personality disorder.
That said, it is possible for a personality disorder to lead to an addiction. Many people turn to drugs or alcohol as a way of self-medicating if they are experiencing mental health issues. When this is the case, it is very easy for substance use to get out of hand.
Is There Treatment For a Personality Disorder and Addiction Combined?
Are you looking for personality disorder and addiction treatment near you? The good news is that treatment is possible for personality disorders and substance abuse. And the best treatment option for co-occurring disorders is dual diagnosis treatment.
Because co-occurring disorders are quite common, dual diagnosis treatment was developed as a way of treating both disorders at the same time. So, you don’t have to start separate addiction and mental health programs at the same time, as everything you need is in one program.
Dual diagnosis treatment programs are also able to address the complex relationship between co-occurring disorders. Because these disorders often overlap and fuel one another, this is essential for long-term recovery.
How to Choose a Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program
Now that you know how a personality disorder and addiction can be treated, you need to choose the right treatment program. There are many dual diagnosis treatment options available, which can make it difficult to determine which program provides the highest quality treatment to fit your recovery needs.
Here are some things to look for in a dual diagnosis treatment program before you make your final decision.
Experienced Team
You want to choose a treatment center that has an experienced team of mental health and addiction professionals who will lead your treatment plan. This mental health and addiction team should have experience with co-occurring disorders and should provide a hands-on approach.
Remember: experienced teams are essential for managing comorbid patients, who often present with frequently diagnosed co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
Comprehensive Care
Cookie-cutter treatment methods are never ideal, especially when it comes to co-occurring disorders, which is why you should look for comprehensive care. Comprehensive treatment looks at the whole person, including your diagnosis, background, triggers, and goals.
The dual diagnosis treatment program you choose should also treat you both physically and mentally with things like physical therapy, family or group therapy, relapse prevention, and aftercare.
Medical Detox
Although not always necessary, it can be beneficial to go to a treatment center that has medical detox capabilities. Depending on your type of addiction, the withdrawal process can be very difficult as well as dangerous. Medical detox is especially important for individuals with substance dependence, dependence disorder, or drug dependence, as these conditions increase the risks associated with withdrawal.
Treatment centers that are equipped for medical detox provide a safer experience where you will be under the supervision of medical professionals.
Thorough Intake Process
The process of getting help for co-occurring disorders can feel stressful, so you want to avoid adding to this. One way to do that is to find a treatment center that has a thorough and straightforward intake process.
The admin’s team should be professional and empathetic, guiding you through the intake process with as little stress as possible. It is also beneficial if the intake process involves a comprehensive evaluation so that your care team has a better understanding of your conditions and your needs.
Program Flexibility
Lastly, you may want to look for a dual diagnosis treatment program near you that provides flexibility. Some programs are inpatient or outpatient, while others may be long-term or short-term.
Just make sure the dual diagnosis program is equipped to treat your specific personality disorder and addiction. Although most programs will treat all common disorders, some may not cover your specific conditions.
Get Dual Diagnosis Treatment Today at The Lakes Treatment Center
Knowing how to treat co-occurring disorders can be very difficult since a specific approach is necessary. Especially with serious disorders like a personality disorder and addiction, you want to get help from professionals who have experience with dual diagnosis treatment. The good news is that by taking the right steps, it is very possible to treat co-occurring disorders.
At The Lakes Treatment Center, our dual diagnosis treatment program is specifically designed to help those struggling with co-occurring disorders. Our program takes a comprehensive approach, catering the treatment strategy to each individual’s recovery needs.
Are you ready to get started with dual diagnosis treatment? Contact us today at The Lakes Treatment Center to learn more about our dual diagnosis program and the additional resources we provide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How common are personality disorders and addiction?
The lifetime prevalence of co-occurring personality disorders and addiction is significantly higher than in the general population. Studies indicate that individuals with personality disorders are much more likely to experience substance use disorders over their lifespan compared to those in the general population. In fact, a 2018 review in the Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine found that up to 73% of people in addiction treatment may also have a personality disorder.
Q: How can I get help for a personality disorder and an addiction?
Start by getting screened for both personality disorders and substance issues. Next, look for rehab centers specializing in mental health disorders, drug use disorders, and/or drug abuse, to ensure accurate diagnosis and inform effective treatment planning.
Q: What does an effective dual diagnosis treatment program offer to persons with personality disorders?
Effective dual diagnosis programs often include evidence-based therapies such as dialectical behavior therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, behavioral therapy, and dynamic deconstructive psychotherapy. Psychological medicine also plays a crucial role in supporting recovery. Effective care should also address challenges in interpersonal relationships and emotional dysregulation, as these are common issues in personality disorders and addiction.
Q: Do men and women experience personality disorders and addiction differently?
Some programs may specialize in treating certain personality disorders or co-occurring personality disorders with certain sexes and genders only. For this reason, female patients may have unique treatment needs that should be considered. It could make sense to select a women’s drug rehab program instead of a co-ed program, for example.
Q: Can personality disorders make addiction recovery harder?
Yes. Traits like impulsivity, emotional instability, or chronic interpersonal conflict can complicate sobriety and increase relapse risk. But with integrated care (especially therapies like DBT, CBT, and long-term support planning), many people achieve stable recovery.
Q: What should families know when supporting someone with both a personality disorder and addiction?
Family members should learn about both conditions, set healthy boundaries, and avoid enabling behaviors. Family therapy can help improve communication and reduce conflict patterns common in personality disorders.
