A dual diagnosis is when a client is diagnosed with both an addiction and at least one accompanying mental disorder such as anxiety or bipolar disorder, for example. Do you know any with a dual diagnosis? Have you been given a dual diagnosis?
The Dual Diagnosis
A dual diagnosis is when a client with addiction has been also diagnosed with at least one other mental health disorder. At times it’s the mental health disorder such as bipolar disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for example that brings on the substance addiction. This is because clients try to self-medicate by the use and abuse of drugs and alcohol in order to alleviate their symptoms. This process of self-medication is a cycle that may quickly develop into addiction. At times the effects that addiction has on clients, the consequences it brings to their personal and professional lives, or even the side effects of long-term substance abuse can lead to the development of mental health disorders such as anxiety or depression.
Do You Have a Dual Diagnosis?
You may have a dual diagnosis if you are experiencing symptoms of mental health disorders along with your addiction. Some of these symptoms may include panic attacks, depression and anxiety.
Treatment for a Dual Diagnosis
It’s so important to seek treatment for a dual diagnosis. The nature of mental health disorders doesn’t allow for you to successfully overcome addiction if you do not simultaneously treat them. In the same vein, addiction can get in the way of overcoming mental health disorders. For the best results, both are recommended to be treated at the same time at a rehabilitation center experienced in treating dual diagnoses.
The main treatment method for both addiction and the mental health disorder will be psychotherapy to get to the underlying causes of both of them. Psychotherapy sessions can appear in several different forms including cognitive behavioral, family and group therapy. Breakthroughs in psychotherapy will give you the personal growth, insight and progress necessary to overcome these hurdles.
Stress management and lifestyle counseling are also imperative in treating the dual diagnosis. This is because stress is a major trigger for both and so it’s important to tailor your life in a fashion that allows for the least amount of stress. Stress management can be practiced in many ways including yoga, an exercise regimen, a balanced sleep schedule, healthy and balanced meals, breathing exercises and journaling.
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.
