Recovery from substances can throw curveballs your way. The physical symptoms of withdrawal, the emotional ups and downs, and the introspection that come with entering inpatient treatment in Middleton can be all-consuming. But what can catch many patients off guard when coming to Miramont Behavioral Health Hospital can be how much they learn about themselves once substances aren’t in the picture.
You may find out during your evaluation or throughout your care with us that you’re living with an undiagnosed mental health disorder—or even more than one. Surprising news about your medical profile can feel overwhelming at first, but it can also pave the way for a clear path forward, informed by a personalized treatment plan. When you finally understand what’s really going on, you can build a plan that actually fits your needs. And research backs this up, showing that the more you know about your health, the better.
Rather than ‘fixing’ who you are, treatment is about uncovering the version of yourself that’s been there all along, underneath substance use disorder (SUD) symptoms and stress. This guide walks through some of the most common dual-diagnosis surprises you might face in recovery and how Miramont’s services can help you through them.
Receiving Unexpected Dual Diagnoses
Coming to Miramont to get help for SUD and finding out you’re also dealing with one or more mental health conditions can make you feel defeated. You may even feel like you’re past the point of help.
But here’s the truth:
- You’re never past the point of help and healing. Research shows it’s super common for many people who struggle with substances to experience co-occurring mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder.
- You may have had to use substances to cope with the difficult symptoms that came with an undiagnosed condition.
- Mood and other mental health disorders can affect the severity of your SUD and vice versa. The two tend to feed into each other, making it harder to notice what’s really going on without professional support.
Once you enter treatment and start getting a clearer picture of your mental health, things may start to make more sense. At Miramont, you can work with a team that understands how to treat both sides of the equation and help you build real coping skills that don’t involve drugs or alcohol.
Anxiety Disorders
You may have trained your brain to attribute racing thoughts, tightness in your chest, or heavy senses of dread to stress or detoxing from substances. But once evaluated, you may realize you’ve been living with an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety disorders can include the following:
- Panic Disorder
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Social Anxiety Disorder or social phobia
Anxiety is one of the most common co-occurring conditions that Miramont treats, and people can often remain unaware of it when they use substances to quiet their minds. But you may also have noticed that once substances wear off, the anxiety tends to show up louder and more aggressively. The good news is we offer treatment plans that include therapy, medication support, and tools to help you learn how to manage anxiety in everyday life.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder looks different for everybody, but it can push people to turn to substances in hopes of finding balance. If extreme mood swings, long crashes that follow bursts of energy, and impulsive choices have been a familiar part of your substance use experience, you might have had much more going on than just ups and downs or a drinking problem.
At Miramont, staff can help you recognize the signs and find a treatment approach that addresses both your mental health and your history of substance use. You don’t have to figure it all out on your own.
Schizophrenia
If you have lived with undiagnosed schizophrenia, hearing or seeing things that others don’t, struggling to keep track of thoughts, and feeling suspicious of people around you could have been so disorienting that you felt compelled to rely on substances.
Schizophrenia may not be what you expected to hear when you came to Miramont, but identifying it can be the key to finally feeling understood. Miramont’s team knows how to treat schizophrenia with respect and compassion, helping you stay grounded.
Embrace Whatever Recovery Brings in Wisconsin
Our Miramont teams are here to stand beside you as you face these surprises. Whether you visit our locations in Middleton or Waukesha, you’ll find services that include family sessions, individual therapy, group programs, and people who actually listen. Whether you’ve just learned something new about yourself or you’re still figuring things out, support is available every step of the journey.
