Most insurance plans will cover either all or a portion of the treatment.
Content Reviewed By:
SUD treatment executive, national news contributor & keynote speaker.
Navigation:
- Overview
- What Are Common Types of Self-Harm?
- How Can Drug Rehab Help Treat Self-Harm?
- Find Rehabs That Offer Self Harm Therapy
- Self Harm Resources
Overview
Substance use disorder and self-harm are closely linked. In addition to the inherently harmful act of abusing drugs and alcohol, many of the emotional issues that perpetuate substance use can also lead to suicidal ideations and self-inflicted injury. It’s not uncommon for people to start with self-harming before turning to substance abuse to cope with mental health challenges.
This is why many rehab centers offer comprehensive behavioral therapy to treat the origins and triggers of both substance and self-harm when they overlap. If you or your loved one are struggling with co-occurring self-harm and substance abuse, you can get the help you need to reclaim your peace of mind and health as you enter recovery.
What Are Common Types of Self-Harm?
There are multiple behaviors associated with self-harm, most of which can be life-threatening. This behavior often starts in the teen or adolescent years and escalates over time.
Some of the more common types of self-harm may include:
- Cutting the skin with a sharp object
- Piercing the skin with sharp objects
- Hitting or punching yourself or punching things
- Burning yourself with cigarettes, matches, or candles
- Breaking bones or bruising yourself
Signs of self-harm include scarring, carrying around a sharp object, wearing long sleeves in warm weather to conceal scars, expressing feelings of hopelessness and fatalism, and more.
How Can Drug Rehab Help Treat Self-Harm?
In rehab, patients who are struggling with co-occurring substance abuse and self-harm can get personalized care from trained and experienced medical and behavioral treatment providers.
Therapies that have been shown to be successful in treating self-harm are also often used in substance use disorder treatment, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), psychodynamic therapy, motivational interviewing, and more.
More and more facilities offer dual-diagnosis rehab to treat addiction, as well as the underlying mental health challenges that led to substance abuse. These mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and trauma, can also lead to self-harm.
Find Rehabs That Offer Self Harm Therapy
Use our directory to find rehab centers that treat co-occurring substance abuse and self-harm.
