Mental Health Services

Getting treatment for addiction is the first step to a new life.

Once addiction treatment begins, it is quite possible for mental health issues to emerge that negatively impact the life of the addict—issues that must be dealt with as they may be blocks to recovery. These issues may include chronic pain, depression, anxiety, family conflicts, social difficulty, eating disorders, cross-addictions and psychiatric conditions. Should any of these conditions be evident and because they may be a block to the drug and alcohol treatment process and eventual recovery, Caron Texas addiction treatment staff will work with the patient to create a personalized treatment program to address them.

At Caron Texas, each patient meets with a psychologist within the first few days following admission. A thorough interview looks at issues that may or may not have been there before the addiction or the issues that the addiction may have created or complemented. All patients also take a psychological test early in their stay to assist in the development of an individualized treatment plan. Mental health issues complicate recovery and need to be assessed and managed while in treatment. Depression and anxiety are common with addiction and can be significant blocks to recovery. Other potential blocks to recovery include chronic pain, bipolar disorder, sleep concerns, trauma, attention deficit disorder (ADD), and eating disorders. These and cross addiction disorders need a thorough assessment as part of the personalized treatment and recovery plan.

Early in sobriety it can be difficult to diagnose mental health issues as these issues may resolve only when the chemicals are no longer in the system. Therefore, this is an ongoing process for people in recovery. What may not show up in the initial two weeks of alcohol treatment or drug rehab may become more prevalent at two months sobriety. On the opposite end of the spectrum and more likely, a mental health issue that seems like a problem at one week of sobriety, through abstinence, support, and healthy lifestyle changes may have been a substance-induced condition and not a long-term psychological concern. For many people, this is particularly true with substance-induced depression and anxiety. At times the patient may be referred to a Caron Texas psychiatrist for a mediation consult to aid in managing the mental health concern.