Dual Diagnosis Help Can Get You On The Road To Recovery!
A Comprehensive Plan for Individuals with Mental Disorder and Drug Abuse Dependency
According to a 2014 National Survey on Drug Use the 40 million Americans who experience of mental disorders such as schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar order, anxiety disorder or a personality disorder over the course of the year, about 7 to 10 million also experience a substance – related disorder. Will Dual diagnosis is when a person has a mood disorder such as depression or bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression) and a problem with alcohol or drugs. A person who has a dual diagnosis has two separate illnesses, and each illness needs its own treatment. Many people with mental health related issues are drawn to psychoactive drug use in an effort to rebalance their brain chemistry and control their agitation, depression or other mental health related issues.
What Leads To Dual Diagnosis Treatment?
Mood disorders and alcohol/drug problems are both treatable illnesses. They are not moral weaknesses or character flaws. They can affect anyone, regardless of age, ethnicity, or economic background. Studies have shown that more than half of the people who have depression or bipolar disorder also use alcohol and/or drugs.
Why Is Self-Medication Not A Wise Option For Your Health?
Individuals may use alcohol or control substances to help cover up or mask symptoms of a mood disorder. For example, if a person’s mind is racing because of mania, a drink of alcohol may slow it down. If a person has intense sadness or hopelessness because of depression, a drug may help him or her feel happy or hopeful for a short period. This “self-medication” may appear to help, but it makes things worse. After the temporary effects of the alcohol or drugs wear off, a person’s symptoms are often worse than ever. Self-medication may cause a person’s mood disorder to stay undiagnosed for a long time. This connection between mental health and drug use can be seen in the similarities between the symptoms of psychiatric disorders in a direct effect of psychoactive drugs on their withdrawal symptoms. For example:
- cocaine or amphetamines withdrawal mimics major depressive disorder or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
- The manic effects of cocaine followed by the exhaustion of withdrawal mimics a bipolar illness that includes manic delusions followed by depression.
- Cocaine or phentermine intoxication mimics mania, anxiety, or psychosis.
- Excessive use of alcohol causes a depressed mood, a lack of interest in one’s surroundings, and a disruptive sleep pattern characteristic of a major depressive disorder.
- Psychedelic drugs (e.g., Mescaline, ketamine, and LSD) mimic the delusional hallucinations associated with the psychotic or thought disorder.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment at Counselling Center for Sexual Health
At Counseling Center for Sexual Health, we approach and treat each patient in a unique way. Clinical recommendation is unique to that individual. Successful treatment programs include a combination of some or all of the following approaches:
Assessment
Detox
Residential inpatient / Outpatient / Intensive outpatient / Partial hospitalization
Therapy
Aftercare
If you need help treating co-occurring disorders, please call (805) 308-9800, let our highly trained therapists get you the help you need to regain a healthy life.