Treatment for Personality Disorders in Washington State

Often people describe another person as having a personality disorder due to their unpredictable or rash behavior at home, school, or work. However, personality disorders are real medical problems that cause serious problems for sufferers and their loved ones.

At Free by the Sea, located in the State of Washington, those who suffer from co-occurring substance abuse and personality disorder can undergo a holistic treatment process. This can help them to overcome their substance use disorders, as well as develop the tools they need in order to manage mental health disorders effectively.

Free by the Sea has a variety of treatments, including safe medications, individual psychotherapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and family counseling to help clients cope with their mental issues.

About Personality Disorders

The onset of personality disorders is often a gradual process and has both environmental and genetic components. Due to their symptoms and the overall effects of their mental health disorder, individuals with personality disorders may feel isolated from others. They may have constant conflicts at school or work.

The challenging and harmful nature of the thoughts and behaviors that accompany personality disorders can make it difficult for an individual to change without help. To overcome the challenges related to mental illness, entering a professional rehabilitation program is imperative, as this could give an insight into the related behaviors.

Types and Symptoms of Personality Disorders

Many different personality disorders share some of the same characteristics, although the conditions are divided into three main clusters or categories.

• Odd or eccentric behavior
• Dramatic, emotional, or erratic behavior
• Anxious or fearful behavior

There are also other symptoms that could point to a mental health issue, and it is important to receive a professional diagnosis from a medical professional who can assist with creating a customized treatment plan. This assessment is far more reliable than just basing an assumption on changes in personality traits.

Cluster A – Odd or Eccentric Behavior

Paranoid Personality Disorder: An individual with a paranoid personality disorder is often suspicious or distrustful of others. They believe that other people are disloyal or unfaithful, leading to acting guarded or angry.

Individuals with this condition may be suspicious of others, even of people who pose no threat or give no reason to be distrusted. People with this disorder are usually not able to control these feelings.

Unfortunately, this could lead to isolation and loneliness as this condition prevents becoming emotionally close to other people. As such, intimate relationships could be an immense challenge, or even impossible.

Schizotypal Personality Disorder: The schizotypal personality type feels uncomfortable around others in social settings such as work, school, or in public, causing them to behave inappropriately or develop paranoia.

Individuals who have schizotypical personality disorder often have difficulty trying to form relationships. They may often show signs of distorted thought processes and aberrant personality traits. Social anxiety also commonly occurs in the lives of those who suffer from this disorder.

Schizoid Personality Disorder: Schizoid personality disorder leads individuals to feel preoccupied with their own feelings, emotions, or thoughts. An individual with this condition may struggle to understand social cues and might appear to be socially withdrawn or isolated.

Those living with this disorder often prefer to spend time alone rather than with other individuals. They may also show a lack of concern or regard for the opinions of others, and form unstable relationships at best.

Cluster B – Dramatic, Emotional, or Erratic Behavior

Antisocial Personality Disorder: An individual with an antisocial personality disorder may appear to be irresponsible and callous. This disorder can cause individuals to lack concern for others or be unaware of the feelings of those around them. Antisocial personality disorder can also cause people to become dishonest or avoid conforming to what society deems “normal” or acceptable.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Individuals living with a narcissistic personality disorder have an intense need for the admiration of others. They may show signs of a grandiose, bigger-than-life sense of value for themselves. This can make it difficult for them to empathize with others. This behavior could even be a risk factor for the person, as others will not look kindly on it.

Borderline Personality Disorder: An individual who has a borderline personality disorder may have impulsive behaviors. Mood swings, the need for constant attention, intense emotions, and a lack of self-value are all traits that are common in those suffering from borderline personality disorder. These traits often lead to instability in interpersonal relationships, as well as personal lives.

Histrionic Personality Disorder: Those who suffer from histrionic personality disorder often place emphasis on the opinions and thoughts of others. In fact, their self-esteem is typically based on other people’s thoughts. People with HPD generally have a strong desire to be accepted and noticed. This desire can often cause individuals to behave dramatically and inappropriately. Many with eating disorders often trace the cause to this condition.

Cluster C – Anxious, Fearful Behavior

Avoidant Personality Disorder: An individual who has an avoidant personality disorder may have much trouble accepting criticism from others. This disorder can cause people to take even constructive criticism very personally.

In addition, individuals with avoidant personality disorders are generally very shy or anxious in social situations. They may find it extremely difficult to relate to others. Avoidant personality disorders can also cause individuals to feel uncomfortable, disliked, or unaccepted by others.

Dependent Personality Disorder: Dependent personality disorder leads an individual to rely on others for support for most things. They may struggle to make simple decisions without help. Some individuals may have an intense need to have constant reassurance.

Typically, those who suffer from a dependent personality are extremely submissive and are severely afraid of rejection. They often remain in abusive and unhealthy relationships because of these traits.

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder: Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder share similar names but have different symptoms. This personality disorder involves inflexibility and perfectionism.

Those who have obsessive-compulsive personality disorder are often highly possessive and controlling of others. They might work excessively or constantly attempt to achieve perfection.

Addiction and Personality Disorders

Often, the symptoms of a personality disorder manifest during adolescence or even early adulthood as hormone levels in the body and brain chemistry change. An individual with such an affliction may have angry outbursts along with problems forming and maintaining relationships with others.

As a coping mechanism for their emotional problems, they may get into substance abuse and alcohol abuse. A large percentage of substance abuse disorders often begin this way.

Those who suffer from substance abuse disorders in addition to mental disorders may experience very serious effects. Sometimes, co-occurring disorders affect one another, intensifying the effects of addiction and mental issues. This can cause major problems in a person’s life, including:

• Relationship problems
• Depression and/or anxiety
• Poor hygiene and self-care practices
• Social withdrawal, isolation, loneliness
• Financial problems due to substance use
• Poor physical health due to excessive substance use
• Severe alcohol dependence

Individuals who are living with a dual diagnosis of substance use and mental disorder should seek professional help in order to overcome the effects of these concerns. In seeking treatment, however, it is important to consider a treatment facility that offers dual diagnosis care.

A Comprehensive Approach to Personality Disorders and Substance Use Issues

Addressing only substance abuse disorders without addressing mental problems can prove to be ineffective and, in some cases, even harmful. Likewise, treatment should not ignore the presence of chronic substance dependence while simply focusing on mental illness. The need is to address personality disorders and substance abuse issues in one go, or the treatment might not work as well as it should.

So, if you are currently suffering from the impact of a dual diagnosis, please consider getting treatment from a facility that offers support that is specific to your situation. By getting individualized care, you increase your chances of becoming free from drug addiction and gaining the resources you need in order to work through your mental health disorder.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment for Personality Disorder and Addiction

Here at Free by the Sea, we work to help individuals who are suffering from drug abuse or substance addiction. We are, however, also aware of the fact that substance use is often accompanied by significant impairments, such as:

• A schizotypal personality disorder
• Borderline personality issues, and similar concerns.

So, we strive to provide the resources necessary for dual diagnosis treatment.

We offer various therapy approaches, including:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• Trauma therapy
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
• Group therapy
• Individual therapy

We also offer support and help to the families of those suffering from addiction. Family members can take advantage of our Family Education and Support Programs.

Our beautiful campus is located on the Long Beach Peninsula in the state of Washington. We understand the importance of using an individualized approach to help those who are experiencing addiction in their lives.

So, we address each person’s needs with compassion, understanding, and attentiveness. Some of the services we offer here at Free by the Sea include the following:

• Heroin addiction treatment
• Marijuana addiction treatment
• Crack addiction treatment
• Cocaine addiction treatment
• Alcohol addiction treatment
• Crystal meth addiction treatment
• Prescription drug addiction treatment

Our deep psychotherapy sessions also help individuals develop relapse prevention skills. We help our clients to work through the more damaging effects of trauma, such as suicidal ideation, emotional instability, and tendencies to engage in other risky behavior.

Through therapy, recovering individuals can also have access to the resources and interactions necessary for developing healthy thought processes, improving self-esteem, and increasing overall positivity.

We offer various levels of care, including a residential program, partial hospitalization program, and intensive outpatient program. At our facility, you will find a peaceful, inviting, and safe environment where they can gain the skills they need to move forward, leaving addiction in the past. We are committed to your health and well-being. So, whether you are seeking addiction treatment or a dual diagnosis solution, we are here to help you!

Contact Free by the Sea

While a personality disorder is often debilitating, professional help is available from a caring staff of counselors at Free by the Sea. With an individualized treatment plan, anyone with a personality disorder can begin to heal while developing healthy coping mechanisms and daily living patterns. In many cases, individuals with undiagnosed and untreated personality disorders use alcohol or drugs to deal with their emotions, leading to addiction to one or more substances.

The unfortunate circumstance of suffering both personality disorders and substance abuse is debilitating on so many different levels, making an individual’s life very difficult. But, if you suffer from a personality disorder and a substance use disorder, there is hope for you! When you contact us here at Free by the Sea, you will be taking the first step toward recovery! By doing so, you can begin your journey to a new and healthier way of life.

If you are ready to quit abusing alcohol or drugs and want to get the proper treatment for your personality disorder, just contact us today. You can get the information you need regarding the evaluation process, and our treatment programs, and learn more about how we can help you.

By spending time in our professional rehabilitation program in the State of Washington, you can focus on your recovery from substance abuse while improving your lifestyle to have a bright future!