Dual Diagnosis Treatment Programs in Tallahassee, FL (850) 290-5955
Dual diagnosis is an informal term that is used to describe patients who have been diagnosed with two coexistent medical conditions. There is no strict medical definition of the term, but it is most often applied to cases where the patient has an addiction to alcohol or drugs and a simultaneous mental health disorder. There can be discrepancies in the manner in which doctors make a dual diagnosis. For some, a patient would not be considered dual diagnosis unless one of the two conditions was brought about by the other, while others would make no such distinction.
To increase the success of dual diagnosis treatment, call Drug Rehab Centers Tallahassee now at (850) 290-5955.
What is its Relevance?
It has long been suspected that there may be a link between addictive behavior and mental health disorders. One of the key issues is that treating people for alcohol and drug addiction is almost bound to fail if those people also have mental disorders that have not been diagnosed. Therefore, any resources expended on helping addicts who have unrecognized mental health difficulties is essentially a waste.
Another important aspect is that the treatment an addict receives to help him or her get off drugs or alcohol could have an adverse effect on that person’s mental health if he or she has an undiagnosed mental health disorder. For example, if a person with undiagnosed depression is given the depressant drugs that are often used in medical detox that could have very harmful consequences.
How Common is Dual Diagnosis?
It is certain that there are hundreds of thousands, most likely millions, of people with coexistent addiction and mental health problems, although a substantial portion of these dual conditions will remain undiagnosed. People with addictions tend to use drugs or alcohol for years before they look for treatment, so there is a delay before the possible identification of mental health problems. Even when they seek help, the mental health problem may remain undiscovered for reasons outlined below.
It is generally accepted that about 50% of people who look for treatment for addiction problems also have mental health problems. It’s recommended that every addiction patient should be investigated for mental health problems. Also it’s estimated that, compared to the general population, people with addiction problems are twice as likely to have anxiety or mood disorders.
Problems Making Dual Diagnosis
When people have coexistent addiction and mental health problems, it is most often the case that the addiction problem gets diagnosed first. The symptoms of addiction can often mask the symptoms of mental health disorders, and that makes it difficult for doctors to suspect there might be a mental health issue.
All substances and drugs that people form addictions to have some effect on the brain. In other words they have psychotic properties, and a doctor will automatically suspect that a drug addict who complains of feeling anxious, or has bouts of paranoia, for example, is experiencing those symptoms because of the addiction problem.
Treatment for Dual Diagnosis
The key to successful treatment is to treat both conditions simultaneously. Standard treatments for drug and alcohol addiction may have to be modified to take a mental health disorder into account, and vice versa. For example, it may not be possible to provide standard detox medications to people with mental health problems.
Some ways to treat those who suffer with dual diagnosis include:
- Psychopharmacology: the use of medications
- Psychotherapy: counseling with a psychological professional
- Behavioral Management: using behavioral modification techniques to change negative behaviors
Call Drug Rehab Centers Tallahassee now at (850) 290-5955 to take the necessary steps for a lasting recovery. Practice lifelong sobriety for a peaceful recovery.