Dual diagnosis, also known as co-occurring disorders, is a condition in which a person has both a mental illness and a substance abuse disorder. It can be difficult to determine which of the two conditions was present first, as people with mental illness may resort to substances in an effort to self-medicate, while those who experiment with or misuse substances can worsen underlying mental illnesses. Substance use can even change the brain in ways that increase the risk of developing mental illness. Critical analysis of this topic requires research to evaluate the diagnostic criteria for dual diagnosis, as well as to identify which co-occurring disorders meet the criteria.
A substance use disorder is diagnosed when a person cannot control their use of alcohol or legal or illegal drugs. Dual diagnosis was first identified in the 1980s among people with severe mental illness and coexisting substance abuse disorders. Treatment with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help the person learn new coping skills and change ineffective thinking patterns that could trigger a return to substance use. The purpose of this letter is to call for research to develop standardized diagnostic criteria for individuals diagnosed with mental and concurrent substance related disorders. For this reason, in most cases, addiction must be addressed first so that mental health professionals can determine if there is a dual diagnosis. You may have additional physical, social, and behavioral health problems in addition to dual diagnosis.
Although dual diagnosis treatment makes treatment more complex, even in severe situations, recovery is possible with the appropriate treatment program. With more than 20 years of proven experience, Clearview can help you or a loved one on the road to recovery from a mental health disorder or dual diagnosis. The symptoms of dual diagnosis can vary widely, as there are many possible combinations of addiction along with mental health problems. We have been offering licensed residential treatment for substance abuse, eating disorders and dual diagnosis in Tampa since 1987. While you may have common ground with a dual diagnosis, both mental health problems require different types of care. The difference between a dual diagnosis and co-occurring disorders is that the dual diagnosis refers only to mental health and substance use disorders. People diagnosed with co-occurring disorders often need more intensive treatment because of the complexity of their case, which emphasizes the importance of doctors providing effective and efficient treatment to these patients. While an addiction treatment center may help you with drug or alcohol addiction, you should consider dual diagnosis treatment.
With the right treatment program and support system, individuals with dual diagnoses can learn how to manage their symptoms and lead healthy lives.
