Dual diagnosis occurs when a person has a mood disorder or mental illness, as well as a substance abuse problem. Both disorders require their own treatment plan, however, one is often overlooked or thought to be a symptom of the other. A person with dual diagnosis has a mental disorder and a problem with alcohol or drugs. About half of people who have a mental disorder will also have substance use disorder at some point in their lives, and vice versa.
Interactions of the two conditions can worsen both. Dual diagnosis is a common term used to describe a person with a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder. For example, if a person is diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder, they qualify for dual-diagnosis treatment. 1.Drug abuse can cause symptoms that mimic mental illness.
Excessive marijuana use, for example, can lead to psychosis in some people; psychosis is a serious mental disorder that causes people to lose touch with reality. Risk factors such as genetics, stress and trauma. Know your triggers and have an action plan. When you're dealing with a mental disorder and a substance abuse problem, it's especially important to know the signs that your condition is getting worse.
Common causes include stressful events, major life changes, or unhealthy sleep or eating patterns. At this time, having a plan is essential to avoid a relapse of drinks or medications. Who will you talk to? What needs to be done to prevent slipping? Dual diagnosis rehabilitation centers face the unique challenge of treating multiple disorders without aggravating any course of treatment. In particular, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people with dual diagnoses learn how to cope and change ineffective thinking patterns, which can increase the risk of substance use.
In addition, because certain genes are associated with both addiction and mental illness, people with these genes may be at greater risk of a dual diagnosis. Experts estimate that about 17.5 million Americans are currently struggling with a mental health disorder, and that about one in four of these people have also been involved in substance abuse or have developed an addiction. The Mental Health Collective is an exceptional place to receive the most individualized care for your trauma and mental health needs. A behavioral health professional can complete an evaluation to determine what level of care is needed to treat a dual diagnosis.
Flowers Health Institute is a treatment center that offers a wide range of services for people with co-occurring disorders and dual diagnoses. If you think you may be suffering from a dual-diagnosis disorder, the next most important step is to contact a team of specialized mental health providers who are experienced in diagnosing and treating co-occurring disorders. While there is no standard dual-diagnostic intervention, mental health professionals can use best practices to individualize their treatment. Treatment plans for patients suffering from co-occurring disorders should be individualized for each patient's diagnosis.
According to the National Institute of Mental Illness (NAMI), a dual diagnosis occurs when a person is identified as having a mental health condition and a substance use disorder at the same time. For example, research shows that the brain chemical dopamine is involved in both addiction and certain mental illnesses and, therefore, could contribute to a dual diagnosis. Despite the fact that dual diagnosis is now recognized in the field of behavioral health, there are still misconceptions around people with comorbid substance use disorders and mental health diagnoses. In the early days, people with a dual diagnosis were described using terms such as “chemical abusers with mental illness”.
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