There is a stigma on addiction treatment by people thinking that they’re just mental institutions, but when you understand the difference between them, you see that they are meant for two separate illnesses. Mental institutions are meant for those who are suffering from mental illnesses and need help; while addiction treatment facilities are meant to treat people who are suffering from alcohol or drug addiction issues, and in some cases dual-diagnosis (addiction and mental health). What is the difference between treatment and mental institutions?

Addiction Treatment

When explaining addiction treatment, it’s important to remember that it is called addiction treatment. Mental institutions are nothing compared to addiction treatment, although many addiction treatment facilities treat dual diagnosis patients. Patients who come in with a dual diagnosis are struggling with addiction issues and mental health issues, such as bipolar, depression, PTSD, eating disorder, etc. Patients who are admitted into an addiction treatment facility will be under supervision of medical professionals, behavioral health technicians, licensed therapists, and attending classes that will teach them about their disease of addiction and how to maintain a life without the use of drugs and alcohol. To read about what treatment is like, click here.

Mental Institutions

Mental institutions are for patients who are suffering from mental health illnesses, such as schizophrenia, eating disorders, self harm, borderline personality disorder, etc. When mental health patients are admitted into mental institutions, they are ultimately there to be safe from themselves. Although mental institutions still have the medical professionals and everything else, it’s a different type of institution from an addiction treatment center, due to the patients in mental health institutions being somewhat more high at risk. There was an article posted about a day in the life of a mental health hospital patient that will give you more of an idea on what it is like to be inside of a mental institution.

Getting The Correct Help You Need

Recovery Society offers information and resources for both, mental institutions and addiction treatment facilities, that best fit your needs. When looking for the correct type of treatment for you or your loved one, it’s best to consider which place will be more beneficial for you or your loved one’s recovery and outcome, whether it be for mental health or addiction issues (or even dual-diagnosis). For more information, call for help today at (866) 323-6590.