The Dangers Of Mental Illness and Addiction
Drug and alcohol addiction is plenty dangerous on its own. DUI’s, risky behaviors, poor physical health, and risk of overdosing are just a few to mention. The risk grows when a mental illness is involved, especially an undiagnosed one.
So many people with mental illness allow it to remain untreated for various reasons. Cost of treatment, desire to keep things private and not talk about it, distrusting professionals, and not admitting their need for help, or not recognizing their symptoms as something that require treatment. When all of this is combined with the life-draining aspects of a drug or alcohol addiction, a person’s life and health are put out on a very shaky limb.
Dual Diagnosis Is Addiction With Mental Illness
Addiction with a mental illnesses is called a dual diagnosis. One of the biggest risks with dual diagnosis is with relapse. In most cases, the mental illness may be the original starting point for the addiction. In their search for relief from their post-traumatic stress symptoms or their depression, a person may start drinking or trying drugs. This may start as a temporary solution, but may evolve into a longer term way of life.
Drug and alcohol addiction is so disruptive on its own. An underlying mental illness can easily lie beneath the surface without being detected. It takes good professional diagnosis work and careful observation to sort out an undiagnosed or undertreated mental illness. So many symptoms may overlap or appear similar between the two disorder. However, the payoff for understanding the full picture is huge. It means the person has a much better outlook for recovery.
Proper Diagnosis Of Mental Illness Crucial With Dual Diagnosis
By no means does every drug addict or alcoholic have an underlying mental disorder. But for those that do, having a thorough evaluation can make the difference between recovery and chronic relapse. If they become sober but their mental illness symptoms persist, they are likely to fall back on their drugs or alcohol. They may even want to stay with their sober lifestyle. But if they are faced with overwhelming mental illness symptoms, they are going to choose relief over sobriety just about every time.
Emotions Tipped Far Out Of Balance With Dual Diagnosis
Another problem is that mental illness already tips emotions out of balance. Bipolar disorder comes with lots of adjustment between mood swings and suicidality. Because drugs and alcohol often lower inhibitions and distort judgment, any mental illness symptoms are going to be made even worse. Suicidality is of particular concern in that case.
When a person is sober, they might be able to manage through the day despite some suicidal thoughts. But when they are high or drunk, they may not think twice after they consider walking in front of a train or grabbing a loaded gun. The lethality of drug addiction increases so much when a co-existing mental illness goes unchecked.
Dual Diagnosis Drug Treatment Available
Fortunately, the drug treatment community is well aware of these risks and how to effectively treat dual diagnosis situations. Some drug treatment centers offer a dual diagnosis track. Specialized treatment centers exclusively treat dual diagnosis disorders. People have access to dual diagnosis treatment all across the United States in many forms. If you or a loved one have a combined mental illness and addiction problem, don’t just get help – get the right help. Find out more about dual diagnosis drug treatment today.
