Dual Diagnosis
Despite its growing prevalence, little is known about dual diagnosis conditions outside of the treatment community. Yet these individuals represent high-risk patients who will not respond as well in drug rehab programs that do not meet their specific needs. More importantly, they are also at a higher risk for suicide and other self-harming behaviors – adding additional urgency onto their treatment.
The following information provides an overview of dual diagnosis and how it can best be treated in a rehab setting.
What is Dual Diagnosis?
The term Dual Diagnosis refers to those individuals suffering from one or more medical disorders at the same time. In the world of drug addiction, dual diagnosis is most commonly used to discuss individuals who have more than one drug addiction, a drug and alcohol addiction, a drug addiction and a psychological problem (such as depression or anorexia), or a drug addiction and a physical health problem (such as AIDS or cancer).
Helping individuals with a dual diagnosis can be challenging for the medical professional. Sometimes the psychological problem involved is caused by drug or alcohol use (or vice-versa) which makes treatment a more intricate, complicated process.
Common Addictions associated with Dual Diagnosis
Individuals who are suffering from any of the following addictions may be a candidate for a dual diagnosis:
- Alcoholism (or "Alcohol Addiction")
- Cocaine addiction
- Heroin addiction
- Prescription medication addiction (such as Vicodin addiction or OxyContin addiction)
- Marijuana addiction
- Crystal meth addiction
Common Mental Illnesses Associated with Dual Diagnosis
Although individuals with a dual diagnosis can suffer from any number of mental health issues, there are several which appear to be more prevalent than others.
Common mental conditions associated with dual diagnosis include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Bi-polar disorder
- Borderline personality disorder
- Schizophrenia
Dual diagnosis and depression is a particularly difficult situation, with the symptoms of both commonly mimicking one another at different stages (especially when the addiction is to alcohol).
Dual Diagnosis Statistics
There are more individuals classified as dual diagnosis than ever before. The depth of the problem is just now reaching the mainstream, as more and more facilities are becoming equipped to better treat these patients.
How serious is the problem? Consider the following facts about dual diagnosis:
- Well over half of all individuals with a drug addiction are believed to also suffer from a co-occurring mental illness.
- Over a third of all individuals with a mental illness have either a substance abuse problem or a full-on drug addiction or alcohol addiction.
- 1 in 5 individuals currently incarcerated in our prison system suffers from a dual diagnosis.
Challenges of Treating Those with a Dual Diagnosis
The symptoms of a dual diagnosis patient may be different that those individuals who are only suffering from alcohol or drug addiction or a mental health disorder. Therefore, working with a professional who understands dual diagnosis patients is absolutely crucial in that individual receiving proper addiction treatment.
One of the biggest problem mental and medical professionals face in this situation is that the symptoms of drug or alcohol addiction can do one of three things: mimic a mental health problem, cover up a mental health problem, or make a mental health problem worse.
And when these dual diagnosis patients fail to receive proper treatment, their recovery is slowed and their families suffer.
Finding solutions to a dual diagnosis
There are, however, solutions to the dual diagnosis crisis.
More awareness among the medical community has led to more effective treatment of patients who receive a dual diagnosis. More patience and attention to detail in the treatment of these individuals has led to higher levels of success across the board.
Another challenge has been the lack of proper treatment facilities for those who have received a dual diagnosis. Most commonly there have been two kinds of facilities – one for those with mental health issues and one for those with drug and alcohol addiction problems. The prevalence of dual diagnosis patients – along with increase awareness – have led to the creation of more and more hybrid facilities that can treat both sides of the equation, and help the individual get the specialized treatment they need.
Integrated care facilities staff both psychologists and addiction treatment counselors. These professionals will work together, sharing information about the patient so that they can find the most direct route to treatment.
Michael's House is one of the finest dual diagnosis treatment facilities in California. Individuals who come to Michael's House with a co-occurring disorder receive top-flight care from the people who know their respective fields best. Contact Michael's House in Palm Spring, California today for more information.
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