People who are struggling with mental health disorder symptoms often turn to drugs or alcohol to cope. What starts as self-medication can quickly turn into an addiction, leaving someone struggling with multiple concerns that become increasingly hard to manage.
At Methodist Jennie Edmundson Behavioral Health in Council Bluffs, Iowa, we specialize in treating people who are suffering from mental health concerns and co-occurring addictions. Our team understands that recovery looks different for everyone, and we deliver individualized care that meets each patient where they are.
Signs & Symptoms of Co-Occurring Addictions
Addictions are clinically known as substance use disorders, and they are chronic, progressive and potentially fatal conditions that can affect how a person thinks, feels and behaves. The changes a person experiences can be subtle at first, but they can become more severe over time.
While addiction signs and symptoms can vary depending on the specific substance a person is abusing, there are some overarching things you can look out for:
- Taking a substance in larger amounts or over a longer period of time than intended
- Spending significant amounts of time obtaining, using or recovering from the use of a substance
- Experiencing intense cravings or urges to use
- Using substances alone or in secret
- Daily use or repeated use of a substance throughout the day
- Lying to loved ones about the frequency or quantity of use
- Needing more of the substance to achieve the same effect (also known as developing a tolerance)
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when the substance wears off or is unavailable
- Continuing to use despite knowing the problems it causes
- Relying on substances to manage stress, regulate emotions or feel pleasure
- Using in dangerous situations, such as while driving or operating other types of machinery
- Showing noticeable changes in appearance, energy or daily routines
- Having repeated unsuccessful attempts to cut back or quit
Anyone who may be struggling with any of these symptoms should talk to a qualified clinician.
Effects of Untreated Addictions
Because addiction physically changes how the brain functions, the consequences can negatively impact nearly every part of a person’s life — emotionally, physically, socially and financially.
The specific effects a person experiences will depend on factors such as the substance that’s used, how long they have been using the substance and what type of co-occurring mental health disorder they are suffering from.
Potential consequences of an untreated addiction include:
- Declining performance at work or school
- Academic setbacks, job loss or chronic unemployment
- Strained or broken relationships with family and friends
- Damage to the brain, heart, liver, kidneys and other organs
- Increased risk for contracting HIV, hepatitis and certain cancers
- Mounting financial pressure and debt
- Arrest, incarceration or other types of legal trouble
- Worsening anxiety, depression or other psychiatric symptoms
- Persistent sense of hopelessness and low self-esteem
- Suicidal thoughts and self-harming behaviors
By receiving treatment for both a mental health concern and co-occurring addiction, patients can stop the downward spiral, repair any damage that may already have been done and build a foundation for sustained wellness.
Benefits of Receiving Co-Occurring Addiction Treatment
Receiving treatment for a mental illness and addiction at the same time, rather than one after the other, gives patients the best chance at achieving lasting recovery. Working with experienced behavioral health professionals can create a structured path that addresses both conditions as the connected concerns they are.
Patients who receive integrated care for mental health concerns and co-occurring addictions at a reputable treatment center like Methodist Jennie Edmundson Behavioral Health can experience a number of benefits, including:
- Stronger day-to-day functioning at home, at work or in school
- Better physical health and overall wellness
- Healthier, more meaningful relationships
- Lower risk for relapse and overdose
- New healthy coping skills for stress and managing difficult emotions
- Personalized relapse prevention plan
- Reliable support network for life after treatment
At our treatment center in Council Bluffs, Iowa, integrated care means addressing mental health and substance use disorder symptoms together, closing the gaps that often appear when these conditions are treated in isolation.
Learn More About Co-Occurring Addiction Treatment at Our Hospital
Because mental health needs vary by age and life experience, our inpatient services are delivered in specialized units. This allows our treatment teams to provide developmentally appropriate treatment and therapeutic programming for each population we serve.
- Adults (ages 18-64): Our adult inpatient program supports individuals who are experiencing acute mental health symptoms and require intensive treatment and close monitoring. Co-occurring addiction treatment emphasizes stabilization, symptom reduction and preparation for continued care after discharge.
- Senior adults (age 65 and older): The senior adult program addresses the unique mental health needs of older adults, with consideration for medical, cognitive and emotional factors that may affect their overall well-being.
Inpatient services for children and adolescents ages 5-17 will be available soon. These programs are designed to provide a structured, supportive environment focused on safety, emotion regulation and age-appropriate therapeutic interventions.
Our 96-bed behavioral health hospital is purposefully designed to provide safety, promote structure and encourage therapeutic engagement. Patients stay in semiprivate rooms that are carefully assigned for comfort, privacy and appropriate peer placement. Gender-based accommodations are provided when clinically indicated.
Core elements of inpatient co-occurring addiction treatment at our Council Bluffs hospital include:
- Medication management services
- Individual psychiatric evaluations
- Daily group therapy sessions
- Support from multidisciplinary treatment teams
- Thorough discharge planning
Get Started Today at Our Council Bluffs Treatment Center
The team at our hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa, helps patients across western Iowa and eastern Nebraska address co-occurring addiction concerns and reclaim their lives. Every member of our staff is committed to making sure that each patient feels supported so that they can focus fully on healing during their time with us.
If you or someone you love is struggling with a co-occurring mental illness and addiction, reaching out is the most important step you can take. Our admissions team at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Behavioral Health in Council Bluffs is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer questions and help you start on the path to recovery.
This content was written on behalf of and reviewed by the clinical team at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Behavioral Health.
