How to Treat Substance Abuse & Adjustment Disorders

Adjustment disorders are temporary mental disorders that result from a stressful life change-a breakup or separation, losing a job, an illness, moving. Most people adjust within a short period of time, but others have trouble adjusting and begin to feel self-destructive or depressed. This inability to cope with the stressful change is an adjustment disorder. Some who have an adjustment disorder choose to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol, which can lead to a substance abuse problem. Treating substance abuse and adjustment disorder in the same patient requires a multi-pronged strategy.

Instructions

• 1

  Find a treatment facility that is able to treat both problems at the same time. Most substance abuse programs are not equipped to deal with mental disorders, and most mental health treatment centers cannot handle substance abuse issues. Since the two problems feed into each other, you need to handle both at the same time to lower the chances of relapse.

• 2

  Get the drugs and alcohol out of your system so that you can think clearly. You can't focus on finding solutions and implementing them if you are dealing with the physical complications of detox.

• 3

  Deal with the reasons for the adjustment disorder and work through coping strategies that do not involve alcohol or drugs. Therapy, whether individual, group or family therapy, will help you to get to the root of the difficulties you are having in getting through this stressful situation and give you solutions. The substance abuse is a form of escape or release, so finding methods to cope with your feelings will help to prevent the reasons why you started abusing to begin with.

• 4

  Talk to your doctor about antidepressant and anti-anxiety medications to help with some of the symptoms you are experiencing, such as anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts. This will help you wean away from using drugs and alcohol to self-medicate.

• 5

  Build a support network within your family and friends. Find an outside support group to talk with about the stressful issues you are dealing with, as well as your substance abuse problems. Having people behind you that you can talk to can keep things in perspective and encourage you in your attempts to use coping skills instead of drugs and alcohol.

• 6

  Take the time to take care of yourself and your health. Make a commitment to eating right, getting enough sleep and practicing life balance. This will help you to be better prepared for the difficulties that life throws our way.

• 7

  Consider a halfway house after treatment. An environment with more support and accountability can reinforce the new, positive habits and behaviors you are trying to establish in your life.