It can be challenging to recover from substance abuse or addiction. However, getting the proper treatment and support can help you overcome these conditions and move forward.
Living with a mental health condition can complicate addiction recovery. People with mental health conditions, including borderline personality disorder (BPD), typically need specialized treatment to manage their dual diagnosis.
This article will explore what to expect during treatment for borderline personality disorder (BPD) and addiction. You will learn:
- What borderline personality disorder is
- How to recognize and treat
- Where to find dual diagnosis treatment and ongoing recovery support
Contact the addiction specialists at The Living Room to explore our holistic treatment and support programs. Our intake staff will answer your questions and verify insurance details. They will also help you schedule an intake assessment so that you can begin your recovery journey.
What is Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)?
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental health disorder. This personality disorder affects how people feel and relate to others. It can also impact how people with BPD see themselves.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM), symptoms of borderline personality disorder include:
- Chronic feelings of emptiness
- Difficulty regulating emotions
- Intense emotional responses, including inappropriate anger
- A pattern of unstable relationships with others
- Intense fear of abandonment
- Poor impulse control
- Engaging in risky or destructive behaviors, including binge eating, sabotaging relationships, substance misuse, unsafe sex, etc.
- Rapidly changing view of self, goals, values, and others
- Drastic, quick mood swings
- Self-harm behavior
People with borderline personality may have strained relationships with family members or friends. They often experience intense anger and mood swings that may make them seem volatile or unpredictable. These and other symptoms of BPD can prevent people from functioning or maintaining healthy relationships.
About 1.6% of the population lives with borderline personality disorder. People with BPD must seek treatment to manage their symptoms, improve relationships with others, and learn emotional regulation skills.
BPD and Addiction: Understanding the Connection
Research shows a link between mental illness and addiction. Borderline personality disorder is a mental health condition that may be a risk factor for substance abuse and addiction. But what is behind this link?
People with borderline personality disorder can struggle with impulse control. This can lead to risk-taking behaviors that may include substance use. Over time, people who misuse addictive substances may develop a physical dependence on them.
People with BPD can also struggle with emotional regulation and feelings of emptiness. These symptoms of BPD can make it nearly impossible for people to maintain healthy relationships. It can also prevent people from feeling contentment in their daily lives.
When people experience emotional discomfort that overwhelms their coping abilities, some turn to drugs or alcohol for comfort. Mental health and addiction experts call this “self-medication.” People who self-medicate with drugs and alcohol have a higher risk of developing addiction.
Research shows that over 75% of people with BPD abuse addictive substances at some point in their lives. Understanding the connection between BPD and addiction can help people get better, more effective treatment.
What to Expect During Treatment for BPD and Addiction
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) and mental health experts recommend comprehensive, simultaneous treatment for mental health conditions and addiction. Here is an overview of what to expect during a dual-diagnosis treatment program.
Evaluation
Before starting your treatment plan, a team of medical and mental health specialists will assess your needs. Your assessment may consist of:
- Lab testing
- A physical exam
- A mental health and medical history
- Questions about your past and current substance use
- A family history of mental health conditions and substance abuse
The information you provide during this assessment will ensure you receive the most tailored treatment possible.
Treatment
You may begin your treatment program in a medically-supported detox program that includes:
- Medications to manage withdrawal symptoms
- Round-the-clock supervision, support, and access to medical care
- A secure environment
- Emotional support
- Mental health treatment
- Holistic therapies like massage, exercise, nutrition support, and mindfulness
After completing detox, you will follow a stabilization and rehabilitation treatment plan. Your plan may include:
- Medications to reduce cravings and other ongoing withdrawal symptoms
- Talking therapies, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Family therapy
- Group therapy
- Coping skills groups
- Relapse prevention education
- Art therapy, yoga, exercise, mindfulness, nutrition support, and other holistic practices
- Aftercare planning
While there aren’t any medications approved for the treatment of borderline personality disorder, DBT is a type of therapy that was designed specifically for treating these individuals. DBT is a form of therapy that combines elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with mindfulness techniques. It focuses on helping individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) develop skills to manage their intense emotions, improve their interpersonal relationships, and enhance their overall quality of life.
Many people begin treatment in an inpatient program before transitioning into outpatient rehab. Your treatment team will re-evaluate your needs throughout the detox and treatment process and adjust your plan as needed.
Find Treatment Now
If you or someone you love struggles with borderline personality disorder and addiction, you are not alone. Contact the specialists at The Living Room now to explore our holistic treatment and support programs.
References:
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Borderline Personality Disorder
- Johns Hopkins Medicine: Borderline Personality Disorder
- National Institute of Health: Borderline Personality Disorder: Risk Factors and Early Detection
- National Institute of Health: Dialectical behavior therapy as treatment for borderline personality disorder