Getting treatment for a mental health condition like borderline personality disorder is often part of the recovery process. That is why understanding how mental health can impact substance use is critical and why finding a facility that offers treatment for co-occurring disorders is so important.
What Is Borderline Personality Disorder?
Borderline personality disorder is a mental health condition that affects approximately 1.6 percent of the population. It is marked by a pattern of instability that can lead to inappropriate anger, impulsiveness, and mood swings. People diagnosed with this condition tend to have a fear of abandonment, self-image problems, trouble managing their emotions, and unstable relationships.
The symptoms will vary from person to person, but borderline personality disorder focuses on how you feel about yourself. Symptoms include:
- Use of extreme measures to avoid real or imagined rejection
- Unstable relationships
- Changes in self-identity and self-image that may include shifting goals and values and seeing problems in yourself that are not there
- Stress-related paranoia
- Lost of contact with reality
- Impulsive behavior that could include sexual promiscuity, alcohol use, drugs, and reckless driving
- Suicidal behavior or self-injury
- Mood swings
- Feelings of emptiness
- Intense and inappropriate anger
What Causes Borderline Personality Disorder?
It’s not clear why some people develop a personality disorder, but, like many mental health conditions, genetics likely plays a role. Studies indicate a strong association between personality disorders and family history.
Another possible cause is brain chemistry. There is an indication that the areas of the brain that regulate emotion and aggression may not function properly. There may also be an imbalance of the chemicals that regulate mood in people with borderline personality disorder.
What Is Borderline Personality Disorder Treatment?
Treatment begins with a proper diagnosis from a mental health professional. Typically, the diagnosis follows an interview with a professional and a full psychological evaluation. They will look at mental health history and other potential issues like substance use. The diagnosis is only made for adults, although children and adolescents may exhibit symptoms of this condition. The signs of it may go away as younger people get older, as well.
Treatment will likely involve a combination of psychotherapy and medication. It will also be necessary to treat any other disorders like an addiction at the same time to reduce the risk of relapse.
For those who do have a co-occurring addiction, it’s critical to find a facility that offers a mental health treatment program as well as substance abuse services. Westwind Recovery® is an addiction treatment and sober living facility in Los Angeles that specializes in dual diagnosis care. Dual diagnosis refers to treatment for those who struggle with both substance abuse and an underlying psychological condition like borderline personality disorder.
Westwind Recovery® offers access to:
- Outpatient services for 80 individuals
- Sober living houses
- Specialized care for members of the LGBTQ community
Westwind Recovery® also provides innovative programs like adventure therapy that allows you to go on regular outings for camping, hiking, surfing, or other fun activities.
The sober living option at Westwind Recovery® includes individual homes that offer semi and private rooms. As part of a sober living community, you live with and get support from others who are in recovery.
Contact Westwind Recovery®
Westwind Recovery®’s sober living residences offer a variety of amenities, and each has a specialty. There is even one house explicitly for those with co-occurring conditions that require mental health treatment as part of the recovery.
If you or someone you love needs borderline personality disorder treatment and needs care for substance abuse as well, we can help. Contact us and talk to one of the specialists at Westwind Recovery® today.
Dr. Deena is the Chief Clinical Officer of Westwind Recovery®, an award-winning outpatient treatment center in Los Angeles where she oversees the clinical and administrative program and treatment methods. Dr. Deena is a doctor of psychology and licensed clinical social worker since 1993. LCSW #20628. Originally from the East Coast, Dr. Deena has worked running treatment centers, worked as a therapist in psychiatric hospitals as well as school settings and currently has a thriving private practice in the LA area. Dr. Deena has appeared regularly on the Dr. Phil Show as an expert since 2003. She has also been featured on many other TV shows, podcasts and has contributed to written publications as well as podcasts.
