If you or a loved one struggles with addiction to drugs and alcohol, then you have firsthand experience with the challenges of substance abuse disorder. But if you have a dual diagnosis of substance abuse disorder and a mental illness, navigating the journey of life can be even more difficult.
Dual diagnosis is alarmingly common in people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol. Alcohol addiction or drug addiction frequently co-occurs with various mental health disorders. This is known as a co-occurring disorder, and it necessitates integrated treatment approaches that cater to both conditions to ensure effective recovery and long-term success.
Without proper knowledge and training, it may be difficult to get the help you need. It’s necessary to have healing that helps speak to the need for treatment that doesn’t work against mental health treatment. It’s necessary to have support in place so the individual does not self-medicate their mental health disorder with addictive substances.
What is a Dual Diagnosis?
Also known as co-occurring disorders, a dual diagnosis occurs when you suffer from both a mental illness and a substance use disorder. Many mental illnesses have a comorbidity with addiction, meaning that it’s not unusual for one to occur alongside the other and lead to worse outcomes for the individual.
This challenging condition is also surprisingly common, affecting many adults in the United States. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 35% of all Americans with mental illness also suffer a substance abuse disorder. Comprehensive dual diagnosis treatment is crucial for individuals with co-occurring disorders to effectively manage both conditions simultaneously.
Why is it that mental health disorders and addiction to drugs and alcohol seem to go hand in hand? In some cases, co-occurring disorders can be attributed to genetics. In other cases a traumatic or stressful environment while growing up can contribute to someone developing a mental illness like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This can also make them more susceptible to drugs and alcohol.
People with mental illnesses may wind up self-medicating with drugs or alcohol abuse, developing substance abuse issues along the way. Because substance abuse can change and damage the brain, it can actually contribute to mental illness in some people. Due to these links, those with a dual diagnosis should seek treatment that addresses both diagnoses as part of the journey towards healing.
Causes and Risk Factors
Dual diagnosis is a complex condition influenced by a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Understanding these causes and risk factors can help in recognizing and addressing the condition more effectively.
Prevalence and Statistics
Dual diagnosis is a prevalent condition affecting millions of people worldwide. Understanding the scope of this issue can help in recognizing its significance and the need for effective treatment.
Approximately 21.5 million adults in the United States suffer from co-occurring disorders. This staggering number highlights the widespread nature of dual diagnosis and the importance of addressing both mental health and substance abuse issues simultaneously.
What are Some Common Examples of Co Occurring Disorders?
- Some people with depression use drugs and alcohol to self-medicate. Many people with a depressive disorder also suffer from a substance use disorder, sometimes to self-medicate their condition instead of seeking appropriate treatment.
- PTSD. People with post-traumatic stress disorder live through traumatic life events and then can suffer with flashbacks, negative thoughts, avoidance of triggering situations, and sometimes self-destructive behavior. Individuals with PTSD may also struggle with drug addiction, complicating their recovery process.
- Anxiety. Having an anxiety disorder can create a vicious cycle. Individuals with anxiety may use drug and alcohol abuse to ease their symptoms, but the effects of the substances can then worsen their anxiety.
- Other addictions. In addition to co-occurring with mental illness, substance abuse disorder can occur alongside addictions to activities like sex or gambling.
Dual diagnosis is also common in individuals who suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), eating disorders, borderline personality disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and personality disorders. These mental health issues can complicate the diagnosis and treatment of co-occurring disorders.
Signs and Symptoms
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of dual diagnosis is crucial for early intervention and effective treatment. The manifestations of dual diagnosis can vary widely depending on the individual and the specific disorders involved.
If you are choosing to seek addiction treatment, it’s important to speak up and say if you have a genetic disposition toward any mental health issue. Even if you’re certain you don’t have the condition, it’s important to share this information in the interest of effective care. If a medical professional suggests taking medication for a mental health condition as part of your recovery, try to be open to the idea. You may experience a new relief that you were previously seeking through substance use.
Dual Diagnosis in Addiction Treatment
Because drugs and alcohol can worsen mental illness symptoms, it’s crucial to treat both the mental illness and the substance abuse disorder at the same time. Specialized treatment programs, such as dual diagnosis rehab, are essential for addressing these co-occurring disorders effectively.
Handling a dual diagnosis in addiction treatment can take many different forms:
- Undergoing medical detox from drugs or alcohol in a safe and secure medical setting
- Psychotherapy treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy that can help you or a loved one heal and cope with a mental illness
- Inpatient rehabilitation in a dual diagnosis treatment center experienced in handling co-occurring disorders
- Medications to help manage mental illness symptoms and support individuals through the withdrawal process
- Ongoing care and support that helps you (or a loved one) navigate sober life with a mental health diagnosis
Integrated approaches in substance abuse treatment are crucial to ensure effective recovery by addressing both mental health and substance abuse issues concurrently.
Challenges in Treating Dual Diagnosis
Treating dual diagnosis presents unique challenges due to the complexity of addressing both mental health disorders and substance abuse simultaneously. Understanding these challenges is essential for developing effective treatment plans.
It’s important to be completely honest about mental health when undergoing treatment for addiction. Report when you’re most tempted to use substances and if you’re feeling any effects from your treatment medication. Any fluctuations in mood should be reported. This communication, even in later stages like outpatient treatment, is essential for constructing a plan that enables sobriety long term. Otherwise, relapse may be more likely to occur due to the desire to self-medicate symptoms that might be addressed in healthier ways.
Treatment for Dual Diagnosis at First Steps Recovery Near Fresno, California
Dual diagnosis treatment is crucial in providing specialized care for individuals suffering from both mental health disorders and substance use disorders. If you believe that you or a loved one is suffering from a dual diagnosis, it’s crucial to seek rehabilitation services from a treatment center that can help with both issues simultaneously. Mental disorders often co-occur with substance use disorders, necessitating comprehensive treatment programs that address both issues.
At First Steps Recovery, our compassionate professionals create a personalized plan to help you or a loved one with dual diagnosis. We’re dedicated to helping you navigate your unique journey towards healing. Ready to get in touch? Reach out to us today to start your journey toward sobriety and a more peaceful life.
Dr. Curl is the Medical Director and primary on-site provider for First Steps Recovery. He is a Board Certified Internist and Addiction Medicine Specialist having attended the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and completing his residency at Mount Auburn Hospital with Harvard Medical School. Following several years work as an internist and physiatrist (physical medicine and rehabilitation). Dr. Curl completed the Addiction Medicine Fellowship at Howard University in Washington DC and participated as a RAM Scholar (Research in Addiction Medicine). While part of the fellowship, Dr. Curl pursued research investigating the barriers to expanding and improving medication for opioid use disorder. Following his fellowship, Dr. Curl spearheaded the Opiate Use Disorder outpatient clinic and worked in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences within the Howard University Hospital. In 2023, Dr. Curl completed his Board Certification in Addiction Medicine.
