An individual’s personality is shown in the way he or she thinks, feels, behaves, and relates to other people. In many ways, our personality helps define who we are as individuals. For example, some people may tend to act impulsively while others are more thoughtful. This is normal. However, when a person’s thinking, emotions, and behaviors create significant problems for that person or for others, professional help may be needed.
Personality Disorders and Substance Abuse
There are many types of personality disorders. They can range from mild to severe in terms of how much they interfere with day-to-day functioning. Most people can live normal lives with mild personality symptoms. However, increased times of stress can make a personality disorder more problematic.
It is common for people with personality disorders to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol to escape the pain of their disorder. Personality disorders that co-occur with substance abuse can include, but are not limited to: antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, and paranoid personality disorder. For more information on symptoms of personality disorders take a look at our recommended resources.
Recovery Ways Treatment of Personality Disorders
As part of the healing process at Recovery Ways, every client participates in our clinically proven treatment program that addresses both the substance abuse and personality disorder issues. Our residential program is highly structured, offering a minimum of 8 hours of daily programming. A licensed clinical staff diagnoses personality disorders and assists each client in developing an individualized treatment plan tailored to suit his or her specific situation.
As a client progresses through their substance abuse treatment, they are also treated for their personality disorder in a way that aids their overall recovery. Developing insight and understanding into the disease of addiction, the psychological triggers, and the recovery process provide the foundation for our residential treatment program.
Recovery Ways also engages family members in the healing process. We assist family members in better understanding underlying personality disorders and developing skills to support and help maintain the healthy changes acquired by their loved one in the course of treatment. After providing family members tools to deal with both addiction and a personality disorder, they are much better equipped to help the client in his or her long-term recovery. The Recovery Ways integrated approach is a proven model that has seen great success.
Recovery Ways, accredited by the Joint Commission, offers treatment excellence to those suffering from substance use and mental health disorders.
