When a working adult family member struggles with both mental health conditions and substance use concerns, families often feel overwhelmed and uncertain about how to provide support. Co-occurring disorders—the simultaneous presence of mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, or PTSD alongside substance use issues—affect millions of working adults and their families. Understanding these complex conditions and knowing how to access appropriate treatment can make the difference between continued struggle and successful recovery.
For families in central Indiana, recognizing when a working adult needs professional help and understanding available treatment options represents the first step toward supporting their loved one’s recovery journey.
Recognizing Co-Occurring Disorders in Working Adults
Working adults with co-occurring disorders may present unique challenges for families trying to identify when professional intervention becomes necessary. Unlike individuals who are unemployed or students, working adults often maintain their professional responsibilities while struggling internally with mental health and substance use concerns. This can make it difficult for families to recognize the severity of the situation.
Warning signs that families should watch for include changes in work performance or attendance, increased irritability or mood swings after work, using alcohol or substances to “unwind” from work stress, difficulty sleeping or changes in sleep patterns, withdrawal from family activities, and expressing feelings of hopelessness about work or life circumstances.
Options Behavioral Health provides comprehensive assessment services for adults ages 18-65 who are suffering from mental health conditions such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety disorder, depression, and co-occurring substance use concerns. The facility’s clinical team understands that working adults may present differently than other populations and conducts thorough evaluations that consider the unique stressors and circumstances of employed individuals.
The assessment process at Options Behavioral Health involves evaluating both mental health symptoms and substance use patterns, recognizing that these conditions often interact and reinforce each other in working adults. Professional evaluation becomes essential because family members may not see the full scope of their loved one’s struggles, particularly when the individual works to maintain professional appearances during work hours.
Treatment Approach and Family Involvement
The intensive outpatient program at Options Behavioral Health provides structured treatment that allows working adults to maintain their employment while receiving comprehensive care for co-occurring disorders. The program structure of three hours of treatment, three days per week, for typically four to six weeks, accommodates working schedules while providing the intensity needed for effective treatment.
Adults in the intensive outpatient program receive a personalized care plan that guides them through treatment, addressing both mental health symptoms and substance use concerns simultaneously. This integrated approach proves particularly important for working adults whose professional stress may trigger both mental health symptoms and substance use behaviors.
Family therapy sessions are available on a case-by-case basis at Options Behavioral Health, recognizing that family dynamics and support systems significantly impact treatment success for working adults. These sessions help families understand their loved one’s conditions, learn effective communication strategies, and develop skills for supporting recovery while maintaining healthy boundaries.
The treatment approach incorporates multiple evidence-based modalities that families should understand. Therapists lead group discussions informed by integrated combined therapy (ICT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational enhancement therapy (MET), 12-Step facilitation (TSF) therapy, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and reality therapy. Families benefit from understanding these approaches so they can better support their loved one’s skill development and recovery process.
For working adults with dual diagnosis concerns, Options Behavioral Health utilizes the Living in Balance curriculum, which provides structured framework for addressing co-occurring conditions. Families can support this process by understanding the curriculum’s goals and reinforcing healthy coping strategies at home.
Options Behavioral Health’s commitment to family engagement ensures that families receive ongoing education about co-occurring disorders and practical guidance for supporting their working adult family member throughout treatment and recovery.
Recovery Journey and Aftercare Support
Understanding what to expect during the treatment process helps families provide appropriate support without interfering with their loved one’s recovery work. The typical duration of four to six weeks allows working adults to develop new coping skills while gradually implementing changes in their work and home environments.
The recovery journey for working adults with co-occurring disorders involves learning to manage both mental health symptoms and substance use triggers within the context of professional responsibilities. Families can support this process by maintaining realistic expectations, celebrating progress, and understanding that recovery is often a gradual process rather than an immediate transformation.
Options Behavioral Health emphasizes the importance of aftercare planning and community resource connections. Families should understand that intensive outpatient treatment represents one phase of an ongoing recovery process that may include continued outpatient therapy, support group participation, and lifestyle changes.
The transition from intensive outpatient treatment back to full professional and family responsibilities requires ongoing family support and understanding. Working adults may need accommodations or adjustments in family expectations as they implement new coping strategies learned during treatment.
Long-term recovery support strategies often involve family members learning new ways to communicate about stress, work challenges, and mental health concerns. The skills families develop during their loved one’s treatment at Options Behavioral Health can benefit the entire family system for years to come.
Through understanding co-occurring disorders, supporting treatment participation, and preparing for ongoing recovery, families become essential partners in helping working adults achieve lasting wellness while maintaining their professional lives and family relationships.
