Dual Diagnosis and Alcoholism
While there are many different addiction components that can be a part of a dual diagnosis (co-existing mental illness and addiction within the same individual), few substances are as prevalent in the condition as alcohol. Those with mental illness turn to alcohol as a means of self-medication and escape from their own symptoms. And the link between alcohol abuse and mental illness is a common one: almost 40 percent of those who abuse alcohol also suffer from a co-occurring disorder.
But what are the reasons behind this link between alcohol addiction and mental illness? The following points illustrate the reasons why there are so many individuals struggling with both conditions.
Escape from Mental Illness
Those with a mental illness often self-medicate with alcohol as a means of numbing the painful feelings they are experiencing as a result of their condition. For example, individuals with clinical depression will turn to alcohol to silencing the emotional pain they experience every day. And those with a bipolar disorder will use the depressant effects of alcohol to "even out" their moods.
The Dangers of Mental Illness and Drinking
Studies have shown repeatedly that those with a debilitating mental illness are more likely than others to move from casual alcohol consumption to alcoholism. The unstable nature of the mental illness patient makes this an increasingly dangerous situation. Alcoholism amongst the mentally ill is also highly volatile because of the potentially dangerous mixture of alcohol and anti-psychotic medication.
Helping those with a Dual Diagnosis
When an individual carries the burden of a dual diagnosis, they need professional help. But not every treatment program will provide them with the appropriate level of care. Most drug rehab programs are not equipped to handle mental illness patients, and there is no guarantee that a psychiatric facility will have addiction treatment programs on-site. To ensure that the individual is treated properly, they must get help from a rehab facility that offers specific care for those with a dual diagnosis. This comes in the form of integrated care that treats all aspects of the individual and understands how one side of the diagnose impacts the other.
Customized, Deliberate Care
Two things that differentiate dual diagnosis care from other forms of drug treatment are customization and the pace of the program. Because of the endless number of combinations that could from a dual diagnosis, each program must be tapered to meet the needs of the individual. The alcoholic with schizophrenia will be treated differently than the heroin addict with bipolar disorder, and so on. Also, because the mental illness must be treated with the utmost care and delicacy, things may take longer to unfold in a dual diagnosis rehab than stand alone drug rehabilitation.
Michael's House is one of the preeminent facilities in the country when it comes to treating the individual with a dual diagnosis. Through caring, integrated treatment programs, the expert staff at Michael's House addresses both elements of a dual diagnosis with equal skill and compassion.
