Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Tallahassee, FL

The most common forms of mental issues associated with dual diagnosis are mood disorders that often stem from past physical or emotional issues that were difficult and unpleasant for the person to endure. People who have been abused or neglected in childhood or have experienced a tragedy or life-threatening experience are some examples. These upsets usually manifest in specific types of behaviors that affect a person’s mood. One of the most common forms of dual diagnosis disorders is anxiety. Anxiety can cause a range of emotions and feelings such as being irritable and edgy for no apparent reason. It can also produce episodes of panic attacks, irrational fear, sleep disorders, flashbacks, confusion, dread and much more. Anxiety also produces a myriad of physical symptoms that can include headaches, nausea, elevated heart rate, chest pressure, numbness, tingling and more. When a person is experiencing multiple symptoms at one time, it is easy to understand why they want to self-medicate.

Depression is another mental disorder commonly associated with dual diagnosis. People with depression are often overwhelmed with feelings of sadness and hopelessness that last for a long period of time. Some of the symptoms of depression include confusion, fatigue, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, physical aches and pains, a lack if interest in things once enjoyed, stomach problems, insomnia and thoughts or acts of suicide. Dual diagnosis treatment for depression includes medications, psychotherapy, and in severe cases electroconvulsive therapy. Treatment with antidepressant medications to control the symptoms of depression, along with psychological counseling, is very effective in most cases. A person can begin to take control of their life again and enjoy feelings of satisfaction as they continue in dual diagnosis treatment.

The Other Side of Dual Diagnosis

The other side of a dual diagnosis is the addiction to drugs and/or alcohol that also has to be treated. Substance use disorder can range from mild to moderate to severe. When a person consistently uses drugs or alcohol to the point that it begins to impair their physical, psychological, social and financial well-being, they are in the downward spin of dependence and addiction. If the person is also struggling with mental disorders, their situation becomes more dangerous and complex. Substance use disorders could cause a variety of symptoms depending on what is being consumed and the severity of the addiction. Some common symptoms might include mood swings, anger, a lack of motivation, hyperactivity, performance impairment, fear, alienation from family and friends, financial problems, paranoia and much more. Treatment for substance abuse is readily available at certified rehabilitation centers. The medical team will remove all offending substances from the patient’s body during the detox process. Other dual diagnosis treatments will begin after the detox process is successfully completed. Depending on what someone’s dual diagnosis is, he or she should be reassured that there are many types of medications and therapies that can effectively manage addiction and mental disorders.

Dual diagnosis treatment involves short and long-term goals to support and educate the patient and equip them with the tools they need to stay well. After the initial phases of therapy, the patient will receive long-term care to help him stay sober and cope with any issues that may arise. The patient will be able to better manage his mental disorder and control the cravings and triggers of substance abuse. Over time, he will also be encouraged to become socially active again, possibly seek employment or schooling, and begin to lead a healthy, happy life.

If you would like to begin your recovery journey today, just call Drug Detox Centers Tallahassee at (850) 290-5955. We are here to help.

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It’s no wonder that prescription drug abuse is a big issue in America, where five percent of the world’s population manages to consume 75 percent of its prescription drugs. Despite ongoing attempts to reform and renew the national drug control policy, prescription drug abuse continues to be one of the leading public health and safety problems of the era.

Factors in Prescription Drug Abuse

Prescription drug abuse is as complex as is it widespread. Unfortunately, a lot of the abuse arises out of misconceptions about the safety and legality of using prescription medications over street drugs. Other leading factors include the lack of sufficient oversight to control inappropriate prescribing, the economic benefits of high prescription rates for pharmacological developers and distributors, and the ease of obtaining the drugs for the recreational user. That last factor is evidenced all too well by statistics collected by the National Institute on Drug Abuse which indicate that over 50 percent of teens who use prescription drugs do so because they can simply get them out of their parents’ medicine cabinets.

Commonly Abused Drug Types

Opioid drugs that contain the ingredients codeine, hydrocodone, and oxycodone are essentially pain relievers, prescribed to alleviate the discomfort associated with a variety of conditions that range from cancer to chronic back pain. Though the benefits of opioid use can be life-changing for some patients, the associated risks are both numerous and substantial, and among them are addiction, physical dependence, and overdose. To make matters worse, individuals who abuse opioids often administer them in unprescribed ways – such as injection or snorting – or mix their use with that of alcohol or other drugs in order to intensify their effect. What may seem like a good idea at the time can have terrible and even fatal results.

Unfortunately the availability and the abuse of opioids continue to increase in a correlated fashion. In the 14 year period leading up to 2013, deaths from opioid overdose nearly quadrupled. Furthermore, heroin-related deaths rose 39 percent from 2012 to 2013, which is significant in this context due to the fact that opioid abuse is known to frequently precipitate heroin addiction as well.

Psychiatric drugs that frequently can be called depressants, sedatives, antipsychotics, or hypnotics are also commonly abused. These are typically prescribed for psychiatric conditions or chemical imbalances including bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, depression, insomnia, and many others. When used alone or with other drugs, many such medications can produce feelings of euphoria, setting the stage for abuse and addiction.

Stimulants are another class of commonly misused or abused medications. Stimulant drugs like Adderall, Ritalin, and Concerta treat attention deficit, hyperactivity disorder, and narcolepsy. Abuse of these drugs is especially common among college students, who put a premium on the drugs’ abilities to temporarily heighten alertness, energy, and focus while simultaneously promoting a sense of calm.

In Conclusion

The truth is that any medication can be misused or abused, and many can lead down the road to addiction. Understanding the dangers can be your best defense against prescription drug addiction and its effects. If you would like to find out more about this topic, or about how we at Drug Detox Center Tallahassee can help with prescription drug addiction, please feel free to contact us at (850) 290-5955.

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Marijuana, also known as cannabis, does not have an addictive component that can be identified like in other drugs such as opium or cocaine, but nevertheless an individual can still develop a marijuana dependence.  According to the Pew Research Center, nearly half of the adult population of the United States has tried marijuana, or pot as it is also known, resulting in a large number of people who could theoretically develop a marijuana dependence.

Although now legal in a few states and only a minor legal infraction in many others, getting involved in using a street drug is never a good idea.  A marijuana dependence can be just as damaging to an individual’s career, relationships and family life as any other habitually used drug.  Developing a marijuana dependence may only occur in a small amount of people compared to how many have tried using the drug but it is not something to be taken lightly.

Anytime a person gets involved in using a drug or even alcohol on a recreational level they risk transitioning into a habitual user and developing an addiction or dependence.  Marijuana is alluring to many as it is readily available even in the majority of U.S. states where it isn’t legal.  Additionally, it isn’t referred to as a hard drug or having as serious impact on a person’s life like heroin or cocaine making it seem fine for occasional or even fairly regular use.

Your body may not become physically addicted to marijuana but if using it regularly becomes a top priority and other responsibilities are set aside, it is just as bad as any other addiction.  A company doesn’t care whether you didn’t show up for work because you were high on pot or high on cocaine, they only care that you weren’t at work.

Is there someone in your family or social circle you suspect has developed a marijuana dependence?  Do you know they smoke pot but think they might be hiding how much and how often?  There are signs you can look for in order to help you determine if they might need help.  Certain behaviors are affected when a person smokes weed.

Contact Drug Rehab Centers Tallahassee Florida today for help with marijuana use disorders and marijuana addiction. Our recovery programs will help you understand the negative consequences of drug abuse and how you can enjoy life without chemicals! Call (850) 483-8624 now and speak confidentially with an addiction counselor.

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