Dual Diagnosis-Understanding More About
What is Dual Diagnosis?
Dual Diagnosis is a term often used to describe the co-morbid situation where the patient is suffering from both mental illness and drug and/or alcohol addiction. This can be used generally, for example depression and alcoholism, or it can also refer to critical mental illness paired with substance abuse (like vicodin abuse). The term dual diagnosis is also interchangeably used with the terms co-occurring illnesses, co-morbidity, co-morbid disorders, co-occurring disorder, concurrent disorders and dual disorder.
People having dual diagnosis often are victims to a wide range of psychosocial issues and they also may have multiple interacting illnesses. Now-a-days, dual diagnosis is often being referred to as “co-occurring disorders” or psychiatric/emotional illnesses and co-occurring substance abuse disorders.
Causes for Dual Diagnosis
When a person is affected by substance abuse and/or alcohol abuse and a severe psychiatric/emotional illness, it leads to dual diagnosis. In dual diagnosis condition, both illnesses will affect the victim psychologically, physically, spiritually and also socially. The symptoms of dual diagnosis interfere with the patient’s ability to function effectively. In dual diagnosis, the situation is very critical as the victim is not only affected by two separate illnesses but they interact with each other (multiple interacting illnesses). The illnesses aggravate each other and each disorder influences the relapse in the other disorder. Also, there is a chance that one disorder masks the other disorder’s symptoms which makes it even more difficult for treatment.
The victim may not acknowledge one disorder and may just try to recover from one disorder. As the victim overlooks his or her psychological illness, that illness may return. This recurrence can influence the victim to try and “self-medicate” himself through drug usage. Feelings of failure and social withdrawal may rise due to the lack of any progress overtime and this affects the victim’s self-esteem which may again lead to substance abuse.
Prevalence
According to a US study which made attempts to find the prevalence of dual diagnosis found that 47% of people who had schizophrenia had dealt with substance misuse at some point in their life. Also, they had found that there is a higher chance among people with serious mental illnesses to become addicted to drugs and/or alcohol.
Another study showed that among 187 people with mental illnesses, around a third were involved with substance abuse, alcohol addiction or drug usage on a regular basis.
Also, a UK study’s results showed that prevalence rates of dual diagnosis were 33% for the substance abuse, 20% for alcohol misuse only and 5% for drug misuse only.
Consequences of dual diagnosis
A variety of problems are possible as a result of a dual diagnosis. For example:
• Psychiatric symptoms may be covered up or masked by alcohol or drug use.
• Alcohol or drug use or the withdrawal from alcohol or other drugs can mimic or give the appearance of some psychiatric illness.
• Untreated chemical dependency can contribute to a reoccurrence of psychiatric symptoms.
• Untreated psychiatric illness can contribute to an alcohol or drug relapse.
• Family problems or problems in intimate relationships.
• Isolation and social withdrawal.
• Financial problems.
• Employment or school problems.
• High risk behavior while driving.
• Multiple admission for chemical dependency services due to relapse.
• Multiple admissions for psychiatric care.
• Increased emergency room admissions.
• Increased need for health care services.
• Legal problems and possible incarceration.
• Homelessness.
Diagnosis & Treatment
A single type of dual diagnosis isn’t present and the reason is that there are several types of psychiatric illness. Also, there are many forms of alcohol or substance abuse. Due to this, the possibility of different forms of dual or multiple disorders is present.
It used to be almost impossible to treat people suffering from dual diagnosis. Drug rehabs won’t take people with severe psychiatric illnesses and psychiatric treatment centers don’t have the amenities to rehabilitate substance abusers.
Now, there are various treatment centers to treat people suffering from dual diagnosis. Christian drug treatment centers are present to rehabilitate people from drug usage and bring back sobriety in their lives and at the same time, they inculcate a deep sense of faith in people’s minds. They have a Christ-centered approach and respond kindly to their patients/clients. Dual diagnosis can effectively be treated when you are at a Christian drug treatment center.
Tags: addict, alcohol, alcoholic, drug, dual diagnosis, mental illness, treatment, treatment center
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April 28, 2009 4:59 pm
28 Comments
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By jeffery, April 29, 2009 @ 4:22 pm
what exactly is dual diagnosis? How do I know if I suffer from it? And how do I go about getting treatment for it? I know im addicted to drugs and alcohol and ive found drug treatment for that. Is there a place that has treatment for both?
By david, April 30, 2009 @ 5:59 pm
A lot of drug addicts suffer from dual diagnosis. Depression is common with the use of drugs and alcohol. Florida is a state with all types of drug and alcohol treatment. most of these treatment centers treat for dual diagnosis. If you think you might have a problem. Try and seek help.
By gus, May 6, 2009 @ 12:57 pm
Most people dont even know antyhing about dual dignosis. Once you get to your drug rehab is when you usually find out that you are dual diagnosis. Most people get dual diagnosis and dual addicted confused. most addicts and alcoholics are dual addicted. This drug treatment facility can help you with any kind of addiction.
By Briank, May 7, 2009 @ 1:33 pm
Dual diagnosis isnt that noticed when it comes to addiction. most people dont even know what dual diagnosis is. At the last drug rehab facility I was at there was a lot of dual diagnosis addiction. Its a little harder than just a regular drug addiction. Most drug and alcohol treatment centers offer help for addicts and alcoholics who suffer from dual diagnosis.
By jeffery, May 8, 2009 @ 4:30 pm
I was diagnosed with dual diagnosis when i entered my last drug and alcohol treatment center. I am a manic depressant and addicted to cocaine and alcohol. I have been a addict and alcoholic for about 15 yrs. Addiction and alcoholism runs in my family. I thonk i was born like this. But im going to do whatever i can to beat this.
By william, May 11, 2009 @ 1:33 pm
Are you suffering with dual diagnosis? Most drug addicts and alcoholics are affected with this. Depression and bipolar disorder usually is common with the use of drugs and alcohol. Drug treatment centers can work with all of these problems. Drug rehabs have therapist on board who are trained to work with someone suffering from these disorders. So if you need help. its only phone call away. Drugs and alcohol don’t have to run you life.
By tyler, May 13, 2009 @ 11:36 am
Are you dually diagnosed? dual diagnoses is common among addicts and alcoholics. Most people who abuse drugs and alcohol have depression or bipolar or manic depressant. But with the help of a drug therapist and a little bit of counseling we can treat dual diagnosis. Alcoholics and addicts can live a normal life without the use of drugs and alcohol.
By james, May 21, 2009 @ 2:21 pm
I am ane addict and an alcoholic i have also been dually diagnosed. I also suffer from depression and bipolar disorder. I am currently in a christian drug and alcohol treatment center as we speak. I just went to detox before i got here. Im still coming off the drugs and alcohol now. But I know if i stick it out everything will be alright. addiction and alcoholism arent winning this time.
By dennis, May 22, 2009 @ 9:40 am
Most drug addicts and alcoholics also are suffering with depression or they are bipolar. Dual diagnosis is common along with the use of drugs and alcohol. Every drug and alcohol treatment center I have been in they treat depression. If you are dual diagnosed there is help.
By dustin, May 23, 2009 @ 10:44 am
I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at my last drug and and alcohol treatment center. The drugs I was using relly messed me up. I sunk into a deep depression that I thought I would never get out of. After getting the drug treatment I needed I snapped out of it. and today I have hope and im happier then I have ever been thanks to the christian drug and alcohol treatment facility I went to.
By alexa, May 25, 2009 @ 11:09 am
Depression is a big part of addiction and alcoholism. Some people are just depressed and some people are drug induced depressed either way there is help. I discovered i had dual diagnosis when I went into drug treatment. While I was there I got treated for all my addictions and my bipolar disoreder and my depression.
By keith, May 25, 2009 @ 2:51 pm
i must say i am one screwed up dude. I suffer from addiction, alcoholism, and depression. I guess you can say i have dual diagnosis. But im getting the drug treatment i need to get better. im not giving up on life yet. I think i might have a chance to get through this. I pray to god every night. i have a little bit of hope today.
By Tyler, June 1, 2009 @ 12:16 pm
Im looking for a drug treatment center that offers drug and alcohol treatment plus can help with dual diagnosis. Most addicts suffer with depression and bipolar disorder. It kinda goes hand and hand with drug and alcohol abuse. This christian drug treatment facility focuses on all aspects of drug and alcohol addiction.
By jackie, June 2, 2009 @ 12:03 pm
Dual diagnosis come hand and hand with drug and alcohol abuse. Depression was a major issue I had when I was in active addiction.Now that I had stopped using its not a factor anymore. Today things are on the bright side. It took a little work but today i am happy joyous and free and clean and sober.
By kayla, June 5, 2009 @ 11:20 am
i suffer wit a disease called addiction. I also have depression and bipolar disorder. I have what you call dual diagnosis. There is help if you suffer with these things like I do. I got help at a christian drug rehab center. I am happy joyous and free today. and I am free from active addiction.
By lillian, June 6, 2009 @ 11:11 am
I just got out of a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in Florida. I am now searching for a half way house. Im looking for one within walking distance to jobs, 12 step programs/meetings. I’m want to continue my sober living. I want to stay away from cocaine, heroin and alcohol. Freedom from my active addiction!!!
By roger, June 8, 2009 @ 12:07 pm
I never thought of myself as as “addict or alcoholic” I always new i was a different it wasn’t until I came to Florida to go to a Drug and alcohol christian rehab center that I realized I was also dual diagnosed. With therapy and one on one counciling I found out why i kept relapsing. ”I’ll say it again. Alcohol is a drug!!! Every time I relapsed it started with alcohol even know it wasnt my main drug of choice. But eventually it would lead me back to cocaine and heroin. Today I am very aware that I am an addict and an “Alcoholic!”
By Corey, June 10, 2009 @ 11:45 am
Prescription drug addiction differs from other forms of drug abuse and addiction in that the abuse develops very subtly and the addiction, gradually. In many cases prescription drug use will start with a medical need. Those who use painkillers – one of the most common prescription drugs are roxycode. Christian drug rehabs can offer the druf rehabilitation needed.
By William, June 10, 2009 @ 11:55 am
Dual diagnosis means that a person has two different illnesses. Such illnesses include: 1) severe/major mental illness and a substance disorder(s), 2) substance disorder(s) and a personality disorder(s), 3) substance disorder(s) and a personality disorder(s). Moat drug treatment facilities offer help for these disorders.
By rodney, June 11, 2009 @ 11:09 am
More are beginning to think that drug addiction is a form of dysfunctional learning. Much of what people do is based on motivation and reward. Abused drugs take over the parts of the brain that are involved in motivation and reward. The drug user relearns, erroneously, motivation stimuli and the subsequent rewards. Drug-associated cues will then cause the desire to use to flare up in the addicted person. This will also lead to unconscious and/or compulsive drug-seeking behavior, such as lying, stealing, and even physical violence. The addicted drug user will lose the sense of voluntary control over the use of the drug. The continued use of drugs strengthens the neurological pathways in the brain, and their activation quickens with each use. The quicker the “high” is achieved, the stronger the dysfunctional learning.
By parker, June 15, 2009 @ 3:18 pm
Most People become addicted to a wide variety of things, caffeine and shopping, for instance. But when the addiction involves drugs and alcohol, alcohol and drug addiction treatment programs are needed because these substances are one of the most mind-altering. If drug treatment is delayed, it could lead to an escalation of the addiction to the point where the addict looses everything.
By victor, June 19, 2009 @ 11:48 am
I found out that I was dual diagnosed when I went into drug treatment. This is where I learned alot about my addictions. I am getting the help I need to put down the drugs and work on my depression.
By oscar, June 22, 2009 @ 1:02 pm
Are you dual diagnosed? depression usually comes with addiction and alcoholism. drugs and alcohol will alter the way you think and feel. Going to a drug addiction program can help you deal with these drug related problems.
By paula, June 25, 2009 @ 2:29 pm
if you are suffering from drug addiction and alcoholism chances are you are probably dual diagnosed. Either depressed or bi polar. Drug treatment can help and get you healthy again.
By j, July 9, 2009 @ 12:20 pm
Florida drug and alcohol treatment centers offer help for all kinds of addictions. They can also help with dual diagnosis. If u have an addiction or any type of dual diagnosis issue. Florida drug treatment can help.
By jacob, July 9, 2009 @ 12:28 pm
You can learn more about your drug addiction and dual diagnosis at a florida drug treatment center. Knowing your an addict or alcoholic is the first step towards getting help.
By lenny, July 24, 2009 @ 2:02 pm
Most addicts and alcoholics are dual addicted. If you are addicted to drugs and alcohol and are depressed or bipolar try and get help. Drug rehab centers can help with addiction alcoholism depression and bipolar disorder.
By randy, July 31, 2009 @ 1:14 pm
Dual diagnosis is depression, bipolar disorder. And a drug or alcohol habbit. Most addicts and alcoholics have are dual diagnosed. Drug and alcohol treatment can help.