A dual diagnosis is when a client is diagnosed with an addiction along with at least one mental health disorder. For example, a client could be diagnosed with alcoholism and depression. Here is an examination of the five most common dual diagnosis combinations as well as treatment options.
Dual Diagnosis: Depression and Addiction
Depression and addiction is a common combination, as many depressed clients reach out to alcohol or drugs to self-medicate to try to feel better and lift their spirits. On the other side, many clients may develop depression as a result of the stress and feelings of hopelessness due to the repercussions in their lives from an addiction.
Dual Diagnosis: Anxiety and Addiction
Anxiety and addiction often appear together because of side effects of alcohol and drug abuse. Addiction can leave you feeling strung out and unable to cope with stress, which can lead to anxiety. The dual diagnosis also occurs when clients with anxiety look to substances in an attempt to calm themselves.
Dual Diagnosis: Bipolar Disorder and Addiction
Clients with bipolar disorder have a very high risk of abusing alcohol and drugs, making this a common dual diagnosis. The manic cycle makes wild and risky behavior very likely, including the consumption of illegal drugs such as cocaine. The depressive cycle often is associated with many clients abusing alcohol.
Dual Diagnosis: Panic Disorder and Addiction
Panic disorder shares many of the same symptoms as anxiety. Clients with this disorder are commonly given dual diagnoses with addiction as they attempt to drink or consume substances to calm themselves. Panic disorder may even develop as a result of the extensive alcohol and drug abuse associated with addiction.
Dual Diagnosis: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Addiction
Addiction may develop as clients with PTSD struggle to self-medicate to try to defeat such symptoms as flashbacks, trouble sleeping and aches and pains. Substance abuse is even a common symptom of PTSD.
Treatment for the Dual Diagnosis
In order for you to successfully reach recovery, both the mental health disorder and addiction must be treated concurrently. The symptoms of a mental disorder can easily disrupt the progress to recovery causing relapse or preventing reaching recovery in the first place. Substance addiction treatment centers experienced in dealing with dual diagnoses are key for recovery. Clients receive psychotherapy for addiction as well as for their mental health disorders. This treatment comes in conjunction with other treatment measures such as lifestyle counseling, stress management and even prescription medication when warranted (i.e. antidepressants for depression or lithium for bipolar disorder).
If you or someone you love is suffering from the effects of alcohol abuse, substance addiction or any other type of addiction, please call us today. Our addiction treatment counselors can help you deal with physical, emotional and psychological consequences of drug and alcohol abuse. A substance abuse treatment program is effective, safe and has helped many men reclaim their lives. Destination Hope is a full service drug, alcohol and dual diagnosis treatment facility in Florida for men suffering from substance abuse and mental health issues.
