When struggling with substance abuse, it is not uncommon to have an addiction to more than one substance. If you are having issues with both alcohol and opiate, you can receive treatment for both issues simultaneously. Dual diagnosis addiction treatment is among many of the programs offered at Summit Estate Recovery Center. 
Summit Estate is a six bed facility situated on 23 acres of lush gardens, hiking trails, lawns and ponds. Located in the San Francisco Bay Area, our facility provides the perfect location to receive treatment with stepping away from stressful situations. We help our clients during treatment by first understanding their unique situation, then customizing the treatment plan that will work best for them. The first step in dual diagnosis treatment is to understand the nature of the issue for both substances:
Alcohol
Although legal, alcohol has a depressive effect on your body’s central nervous system and has multiple reactions associated with its use including:
- Memory loss
- Sleep disturbances
- Depression
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- Cancer
In your body, alcohol works by increasing the level of serotonin, the substance in your body that controls both your emotional responses and the ability to feel good. To compensate for the additional serotonin present in your body, your brain attempts to achieve balance, by reducing the amount of serotonin stored in your brain. Because your body’s natural level of serotonin is now lower, there is less ability to have positive feelings when sober. Treatment is able to address these issues.
Opiates
Opiates are the third largest group of abused substances in the United States, with more than 12 million reporting that they’ve taken prescription medication when it was not medically necessary. Opiates work in your body by slowing down brain function. Risks associated with the use of these types of drugs include:
- Constipation
- Mental confusion
- Drowsiness
- Reduce heart rate
- Slowed breathing
- Death
Opiates are highly addictive because they changed the way your brain works. If an addicted person stops taking them, they will typically experience withdrawal symptoms as your body becomes dependent on the substance. Recovery from opiate addiction is possible through treatment. Contact one of our admissions counselors today to learn more about our program and dual diagnosis addiction treatment. Either contact us via the submission form on this website or call 800-701-6997.
