The CapeRecovery Dual-Diagnosis Rehab and Recovery Experience
Mental Health, Depression and Addiction
Our brand new, specialist ‘CapeRecovery Dual-Diagnosis Rehab and Recovery Experience’ has been specifically designed with those people in mind who have been struggling already for a while, with the confusion caused by any type of addiction that co-exists alongside a mental health problem (either diagnosed or un-diagnosed). Find out a bit more about this complex problem on our dual-diagnosis page or our depression and addiction page. The complete confusion and almost impossible chance of correctly diagnosing any addict suffering with an active addiction and some kind of concurrent mental health problem correctly is a huge task and it can often lead to years and even decades of distress and pain for the person and those people closest to them. This is however, nobody’s fault as the physicians are not always given the facts about the actual addiction or they are sometimes not even made aware of it. This is because addicts are often dishonest or in denial about the extent of their substance or alcohol use and any correctly prescribed become less effective or completely ineffective when mixed in a cocktail of other illicit drugs or alcohol. Coupled with the fact that symptoms of a chronic alcohol and drug addiction very often mask or mirror those of a number of different and very damaging psychiatric problems, especially things such as bi-polar, borderline personality disorder, anxiety or depression and addiction in combination, it becomes a minefield for everyone. It is my personal experience that has led me to believe that the only truly effective way of correctly managing any dual-diagnosis issue is to remove the alcohol or other drugs completely, often it is necessary to also remove or alter any prescribed medication too, though this is of course the doctors decision. Once we have a completely blank canvas if you like, we can then get a good long period of sobriety from all the drugs, alcohol and behaviours, make a full re-assessment of the situation and if any prescribed medication is then required it can be administered in a controlled environment for the first few months and without the interference of any other substances, with the intention being to get the client stabilised, in order to move forward, clean and sober but also, if still necessary, on any appropriate medication for their mental health issue.
How do I recover from addiction and mental health when they exist together?
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The whole idea for this package stems from, as most things that I do with CapeRecovery nowadays, from my difficult time struggling with a 25-year addiction to alcohol, prescription medication, over the counter meds and many other drugs. I was always also given some vague diagnosis of something like depression, anxiety or bi-polar thrown into the mix but never anything concrete or even treatable. The thing is, I never really knew the truth and the Drs and psychiatrists certainly didn’t, mainly because they didn’t have all of the facts at their disposal as it is a natural thing for an addict to hide the only thing they have left to cling onto, their alcohol or their drug of choice. After decades of false diagnosis's, trials on various different medication and lots of cross addiction from one substance to another, I finally entered a rehab genuinely believing that I was totally incurable and beyond hope. The process was slow, it took a lot of time and patience and it involved the huge task of maintaining my sobriety long enough to even think straight, let alone address the huge number of other related problems that I’d caused for myself and other people. Once finally clean and sober after about 2 whole years of trying, I realised that there was still something lacking. This time however, rather than simply giving in and picking up a drink which was my default behaviour for the preceding decades, I found a good doctor and started on a very simple anti-depressant. After taking that for my first year of true, authentic sobriety and genuine recovery, my life just became a lot more bearable, the intense depression left me and it all became manageable. I continue taking just one tablet a day to the present day and of course, I still have down days but that’s all they are now, just a day, and it always gets better the following day or two! My passion for CapeRecovery comes directly from this experience and also from my experience as a nurse in the UK, it is what drives me to get the best and most effective rehab and addiction treatment for every person, tailored exactly towards their individual needs. At CapeRecovery we want every single one of our clients to receive the best chance possible of a full and happy life in recovery. Our unique planning leads to the most suitable placement which, in turn, leads to the best possible chance of a prolonged and happy recovery.
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As well as our dual-diagnosis and depression experiences, we also have specially designed packages treating all addictions (drugs and alcohol), process addictions (Porn, Sex, Love, Gaming, Gambling, etc.) and all eating disorders (including anorexia, bulimia, binge-eating and food addiction). Addiction and related issues can often be complex and comprise of a mixture of all the above so that is why we pre-assess each client and only use the best rehabs and treatment centres appropriate for their needs without bias. We are the only people who practice this client centred care throughout the whole rehabilitation process from primary, secondary and tertiary to continued care and supported sober living. We guide our clients every step of the way and keep the family back home fully updated and informed and we also provide a social life amongst the Cape Town recovery community and some incredible volunteering opportunities. It really is the only complete rehab and recovery package of its kind available anywhere!
Contact CapeRecovery
So, Depression and Addiction and Mental Health are often combined and it get's confusing in what is a rife in a testing time for everyone involved, get to the bottom of it all with The CapeRecovery Dual-Diagnosis Rehab and Recovery Experience, Contact Us today!