Drug and alcohol addiction is a complex disease that may accompany mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia. Living with both a serious mental illness like schizophrenia and a drug or alcohol addiction may seem more than a person is able to bear at times. However, the right support for the individual can be a valuable coping tool when challenges arise.
Why Feeling Supported Matters So Much
To feel safe and supported can be comforting. It may provide an individual emotional security to open up within family therapy and other programs. That can potentially create an environment in which honest and open conversations about living with schizophrenia and addiction happen. The sessions may help loved ones better understand the individual’s schizophrenia diagnosis, associated difficulties, the role of addiction, and more.
For the individual, a supportive therapy session offers the opportunity to release any pent-up emotions, gain other perspectives on addiction, and feel heard. The safe space is free of judgment and stigma about schizophrenia, with an intention to instill healthier coping mechanisms.
Types of Customized Supports
Therapy can take many forms, as not one treatment approach suits every person, and it can vary by session frequency and length of the treatment plan. What the therapeutic support looks like depends on the individual’s needs and preferences, with specific attention to the schizophrenia and addiction diagnoses.
This tailored approach recognizes the individual and aims to address their unique mental health challenges, from hallucinations to disorganized thinking. A significant piece in that is how addiction contributes to challenges. The sessions can be one-on-one between therapist and individual, between family members and individual under therapist guidance, or another supportive environment.
Also personalized to the person is the approach to medication. From how it is administered to what the dosage looks like, there are many variations. What is best for the individual depends on schizophrenic symptoms, the severity of substance use, and other factors.
Other supports make for a more well-rounded lifestyle in rehab, which may lead to better habits and well-being when leaving the center. One example is regular exercise activities.
Aiming for Healthier Coping and Independence
While the types of support vary by individual, as do specific treatment plan goals, encouraging a healthier lifestyle is a shared focus. If alcohol or drugs have been used as a means to manage schizophrenia, program support may focus on learning and practicing healthier coping strategies. The treatment plan aims to help make living sober with schizophrenia more manageable after leaving rehab.
Recovery is a Journey: Moving Forward
As the recovery journey continues after leaving the center, providing the tools to continue to move forward and manage schizophrenic symptoms effectively without turning to drugs or alcohol is paramount. That reduces the risks of relapse and helps the individual enjoy a better quality of life.
Expert rehab support at Robert Alexander Center for Recovery through therapeutic interventions and other initiatives based on an individual’s mental health needs and preferences has the potential for value. Reach out with any questions to our experienced staff to learn more about programs to support sober living.