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What Your Doctor Isn't Telling You About Mental Health Medication for Young Adults

Mental Health Medications

Living in the US we are bombarded with ads for pharmaceuticals on a daily basis. If you hear something you like and go to your doctor about it, they often do a great job explaining the potential benefits. But they may not be giving you the full picture - especially when it comes to utilizing medication to help young adults struggling with a dual-diagnosis disorder.  

 

Here’s the thing: medication can be a game-changer for young adults in treatment, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s not the whole story. Let’s unpack what you need to know about mental health medications, especially if your child is heading toward dual-diagnosis residential treatment.

 

First, Let’s Talk About Dual-Diagnosis Treatment

 

Dual-diagnosis treatment is tailored to people who need help with substance abuse disorder alongside a co-occurring mental health disorder. Treating both can be tricky. For young adults, dual-diagnosis often looks like a tangle of anxiety, depression, or trauma paired with alcohol or drug addiction. It can create a vicious cycle where mental health fuels substance abuse and that abuse worsens their mental health. Dual-diagnosis treatment addresses both issues simultaneously, creating a path toward long-term recovery. 

 

Medications play a unique role in this treatment process. They can help stabilize mental health symptoms, making it easier for young adults to engage in therapy, break free from self-medicating habits, and develop healthier coping skills. But — and this is a big “but” — medication alone isn’t a magic fix.

 

What Your Doctor Might Not Emphasize

 

Doctors usually focus on what medication can do. This makes sense. Their job is to offer solutions. What they don’t always have time to explain is how medication fits into the bigger picture of treatment. (Most doctors are not well versed in addiction or trained to treat it) So, here’s what you might not hear in a 20-minute appointment:

 

Medications Treat Symptoms, Not Root Causes

Medications can help regulate mood, reduce anxiety, or stabilize energy levels, but they don’t resolve the underlying issues causing those symptoms. For example, an antidepressant might regulate neurotransmitters enough to engage in therapy, but it won’t address unresolved trauma or teach them how to manage stress long-term. It’s a treatment, not a cure. 

 

Finding the Right Medication Takes Time

Very rarely do you just take a pill and feel better. There is a trial and error process of finding the right medication and dosage. It’s not uncommon for young adults to try multiple medications before landing on one that works. This process can be frustrating, especially when you’re watching your child struggle.

 

Medications Work Best When Paired with Therapy

Think of medication as a life jacket. It keeps your head above water, but you still need swimming lessons (i.e., therapy) to reach the shore. Therapy addresses the thought patterns, behaviors, and emotional wounds that medication can’t touch. In a dual-diagnosis program, therapy also focuses on the connection between mental health and substance use. 

 

Lifestyle Changes Are Part of the Equation

It’s called mental health but there is very much a physical aspect to it. Proper sleep, nutrition, exercise, and stress management all play huge roles in how we feel. Medications can help stabilize your child’s mood or energy, but long-term recovery requires lifestyle shifts. Dual-diagnosis treatment programs for young adults often include education on these topics, helping young adults build routines that support lasting success.

 

The Role of Medications in Dual-Diagnosis Treatment

 

Stabilizing Symptoms

Medications can reduce the intensity of symptoms, creating a foundation for therapeutic work. Someone with bipolar disorder may find it difficult to engage in treatment if they are in an episode. A mood stabilizer might help regulate the highs and lows making it easier to participate in group therapy.

 

Breaking the Cycle of Self-Medication

Addiction in young adults with co-occurring disorders is often the result of self-medication. It’s a coping mechanism, albeit a dangerous one. Medications can provide safer, more effective symptom relief, reducing the urge to self-medicate. 

 

Improving Engagement in Treatment

When symptoms are severe, it’s hard to focus on therapy or make meaningful progress in treatment. Medications can make it easier for young adults to engage in the recovery process, whether that means attending group sessions, completing assignments, or building new coping skills.

 

What to Ask About Medications

 

If your child’s doctor recommends medication, it’s important to ask questions and advocate for a comprehensive treatment plan. It can be helpful to have a list of questions ready to go. 

  • What are the potential benefits and side effects of this medication?
  • How long will it take to see results?
  • What should we do if the medication doesn’t seem to work?
  • How will this medication interact with other treatments, like therapy?
  • Is this medication intended for short-term stabilization or long-term management?

 

Medications Are a Tool, Not the Answer

 

Medications can play a vital role in your child’s recovery, but rarely are they the final answer. The real work happens in therapy, in building healthier habits, and in addressing the root causes. 

 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a deep breath. You don’t have to have all the answers right now. For support, recovery resources, and to talk about comprehensive dual-diagnosis treatment options, call Momentum Recovery today. One step at a time, Momentum can help you build a foundation for a brighter, healthier future.