Mental Illness Often Impacts Opioid Addiction

Michael Genovese, M.D., J.D., chief medical officer for Acadia Healthcare, published a guest column in the Murfreesboro Post that discussed why it is so critical for individuals to have access to dual diagnosis treatment that addresses both mental illnesses and substance use disorders. In his column, Dr. Genovese shined a light on how self-medicating can closely tie addiction to mental health disorders, and he explored how living with a substance use disorder can lead to the development of a mental illness and vice versa. Dr. Genovese also shared that, to enhance accessibility to dual diagnosis treatment, Acadia Healthcare has partnered with Ascension Saint Thomas in Nashville to develop a free-standing psychiatric hospital slated to open in 2020 that will offer mental illness and addiction treatment for individuals and families. Through strategic partnerships and greater education and awareness of dual diagnosis concerns, more people can get the help they need.

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