What is Dual Diagnosis?
Dual Diagnosis is a medical disorder for when someone experiences a mental illness and substance-use disorder simultaneously. Either one of the disorders – mental illness or substance-use can develop first. A person experiencing a mental health condition could possibly turn to alcohol or other drugs as a form of self-medication to improve the mental health symptoms that they are going through which according to research only worsens the mental illness. A Survey conducted in the year 2011 found that under 6% of adults with mental illness has a co-occurring substance use disorder.
Substance-use problems tend to occur along with the following mental-illnesses:
Depression
Depression is more than just a feeling of being sad. It is a serious mental illness and for those who suffer from depression, the feeling of being sad does not go away – it interferes with their everyday life. Symptoms of depression include:
- Feeling sad
- Loss of interest
- Over-Eating
- Sleeplessness or Excessive Sleeping
- Tiredness
- Feeling hopeless, irritable or anxious
- Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems
- Suicidal Thoughts
Anxiety disorders
Anxiety Disorders are a type of mental illnesses that cause prolonged distress to those who suffer from it thereby affecting their ability lead a normal life. For those suffering from anxiety, fear and worry are constant and overwhelming. Types of anxiety disorders include:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Panic Disorder
- Phobias
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a severe and chronic mental illness that affects how a person feels, thinks and behaves. People suffering from Schizophrenia act and behave like they have lost touch with reality. Schizophrenia makes it hard for people to maintain a stable job or take care of themselves. Symptoms manifest around the ages of 16 to 30 years and men develop symptoms at a younger age than women. There are couple of symptoms as listed below:
- Hallucinations, Delusions, Depression or Withdrawal
- Difficultly in showing emotions or functioning normally, trouble with thoughts and difficulty in focussing and maintaining attention
- Trouble processing information and making decisions
- Making strange movements
Research on what causes Schizophrenia is still ongoing and studies done so far reveal that genes, environment, and brain chemistry may play a role in its development.
Personality disorders
Personality disorders are long term patterns of thoughts and behaviours that are unhealthy and cause serious problems with relationships and work. People who suffer from this medical condition have trouble dealing with the problems and stress of everyday life thus affecting their relationship with other people.
Genes and childhood experiences play an important role in the development of personality disorders and severity ranges from mild to severe. People suffering from personality disorders may experience difficulties realising their problem and perceive their thoughts to be normal while blaming others for their problems. They seek professional help because of the impact their personality disorder has on their relationship or work.
Treatment for Dual Diagnosis at Phoenix Rehab:
Detoxification
The first major step in the treatment of dual diagnosis is detoxification. Historically, in-patient treatment is generally considered to be more effective out-patient treatment for initial sobriety. Detoxification is conducted under the supervision of trained medical personnel to flush out toxins from the body.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is an effective part of treatment for Dual Diagnosis. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) helps people suffering from Dual Diagnosis understand and improve their patterns of thinking.
Medication
Just like any other illness, medication is part of treatment for mental illness. Certain medication can help people experiencing substance abuse disorders ease withdrawal symptoms during the detoxification process and while in recovery.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are self-help groups for people recovering from alcohol or drug addiction based on the 12-step program.
