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Are Co-Occurring Disorders Hard to Treat?

teen talking to a therapist in co-occurring disorder treatment

Co-occurring disorder treatment provides dual support for men and women who turn to drugs and alcohol to cope with depression or other mental health disorders. Many people wrongly assume that they are helping themselves by using drugs or alcohol. In reality, they are only making things worse and will require extensive treatment to fully recover. Treatment options are available for teens with co-occurring disorders in Washington state.

At Imagine Seattle, we support teen boys and girls aged 12-17 who struggle with co-occurring disorders and need assistance with their recovery journey. Our certified behavioral therapists will guide your teen in discovering the root cause of their addiction and form healthy coping skills to improve their mental health. If you feel your teen is struggling with depression or anxiety and has developed an addiction to drugs or alcohol, contact us online or call 888.346.0473 today to speak with our compassionate staff about our treatment for co-occurring disorders in Washington.

What Are Co-Occurring Disorders?

Co-occurring disorders occur when a person uses drugs and alcohol to cope with negative thoughts and emotions from depression or other mental health disorders. Many people will turn to drugs and alcohol before going to a treatment facility. They assume the euphoria they are feeling is helping them, but they are just making themselves worse.

Some of the common disorders that can lead to a co-occurring disorder include:

  • Schizophrenia
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Major depressive disorder
  • Eating disorders
  • Personality disorders

Co-occurring disorders can occur from teens using drugs and alcohol to cope with their feelings or as a result of their substance abuse. At Imagine Seattle, we know how difficult it can be to treat addiction and any underlying condition. We provide teens with co-occurring disorder treatment that combines behavioral therapies and medication management to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings. This gives your teen a better chance at forming lifelong recovery habits.

What to Expect During Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment for Teens

While there is no cure for addiction and other mental health disorders, many effective treatment programs can give your teen the skills they need to develop and thrive as they get older.

Some of what your teen will experience during their co-occurring disorder treatment includes:

  • A tailored treatment plan will be created based on your teen’s current physical and mental health and the severity of their addiction.
  • Medical professionals will administer medications and monitor your teen’s progress to ensure they get the maximum benefits with minimal risk of side effects. The goal of any medication treatment is for your teen to be 100% drug-free by the end of the program.
  • Teens will discover the root cause of their addiction and address the underlying mental health issue that is fueling the addiction.
  • Therapists will help your teen develop coping skills to benefit their recovery while learning how to communicate their feelings in a healthy manner.
  • During group therapy, teens will work with peers on their coping skills while their therapist monitors their interactions for any concerning behaviors.
  • Family therapy is a crucial part of your teen’s co-occurring disorder treatment program and will help heal family bonds and provide mental health support for all family members.
  • Teens will also benefit from the relationships they form with their peers during therapy. They form life-long friendships that will support their recovery journey.

Choose Imagine Seattle for Effective Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment for Teens

At Imagine Seattle, we provide teen boys and girls aged 12-17 with effective treatment for substance abuse and any underlying mental health disorder. Teens work with certified behavioral therapists and medical professionals to form a custom treatment plan that addresses all of their needs simultaneously. To give your teen the best chance at leading a healthy and productive life, call 888.346.0473 or fill out our online form for more information about our co-occurring disorder treatment.