NAMI, or the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the largest grassroots mental health organization in the United States. The organization helps men, women, and children from across the country get the diagnoses, support, and treatment necessary to be healthier and happier. They also play a direct role in addiction recovery and a greater understanding of dual diagnosis treatment.

Getting a Diagnosis

Happy young woman at a NAMI rehab National Alliance on Mental IllnessThe first way that NAMI can help people is by providing them with information about mental health disorders. There is still a shroud of mystery and a stigma surrounding mental health. That often stops clients from getting the help they need. Usually, the first information they read about their mental health comes from an organization like NAMI.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness provides the public with detailed information about a range of mental health disorders. People can look up the symptoms of depression or better understand the impact of anxiety. All of this information can start to form the rough outline of a diagnosis. Armed with some basic details, clients may feel more comfortable asking for help and discussing their condition with others.

NAMI Advocacy and Awareness

The National Alliance on Mental Illness does more than just provide information to the public. It also takes action to help advocate for the many men and women who struggle with mental health disorders. Parades, campaigns, and lobbying can help force governments and organizations to take action. Groups like this are partly responsible for significant changes at insurance companies and in country-wide legislation.

The group also raises awareness. Many people aren’t informed about mental health, or they don’t realize how common mental health disorders really are. The more knowledge there is, the less likely it is for people to slip through the cracks. If whole communities are informed, then treatment for those who need it is more likely.

Helping People Find Treatment

Sometimes, the hardest part of dealing with mental illness is knowing where to get help. NAMI has a hotline, a texting service, and an email address so that individuals can ask questions about symptoms, treatment and more. They can even recommend emergency services for those who need it. Most importantly, they will encourage individuals to get the professional help that meets their needs.

The Connection Between Mental Illness and Addiction

Mental illness and addiction are two conditions that are often linked. Having any form of mental health disorder increases your chance of also struggling with addiction. If you struggle with addiction, then there is an increased chance that you struggle with a mental illness as well.

In some cases, substance abuse can lead to mental health problems. Using meth or cocaine, for example, can make some people paranoid or aggressive. Alcohol use can often lead to depression as well as anxiety.

In other cases, individuals have mental health conditions but not the right diagnosis or treatment. They might turn to substance abuse as a means of eliminating their symptoms. In the long run, this is a dangerous plan. It can directly create more problems and worsen existing mental health conditions.

Fortunately, there is a strategy for treating both addiction and mental illness at the same time. It is called dual diagnosis treatment. This approach simultaneously addresses both conditions, ensuring that recovery takes all factors into account.

Finding Help at Beaches Recovery

If you need mental health treatment, as well as help breaking free from an addiction, then Beaches Recovery may be the answer. Drawing on the wisdom and strategy of NAMI, Beaches Recovery makes mental health a priority for all clients.

Clients in rehab programs can expect comprehensive care that goes well beyond just physical treatment. Some of the many therapies and treatment methods available can include the following:

NAMI, or the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is a leader in the world of mental health. If you want to seek out a rehab program where mental health is a priority, consider Beaches Recovery in Jacksonville, Florida. Call 866.605.0532 to get details on the program that best suits your needs and your plan for recovery.