Dual Diagnosis
The term “dual diagnosis” refers to a situation where someone has both a mental health issue and a substance abuse problem. Psychiatric disorders and drug misuse afflict people of all ages and walks of life, and it is common to be diagnosed with both at the same time. About half of persons who suffer from mental illness also struggle with substance misuse, and the reverse is true as well.
Connection Between Mental illness and Drug Abuse
Mental disorders and drug abuse are linked in a complex way. People with mental problems may use alcohol and other drugs for the very same purposes that the rest of us do: to chill or feel good. Drug misuse may emerge as a way to manage or self-medicate a mental disorder in certain cases. Drug misuse and mental health issues may also emerge together in certain cases due to the same trigger, such as a life-changing event, chronic stress, or genetic predisposition. The brain’s chemical balance may be disrupted by substance addiction, culminating in mental health issues or worsening an already existing mental condition.
How can you know whether you have a dual diagnosis?
Drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms, as well as symptoms of a particular mental illness, will all be present. In order to detect co-occurring illnesses of substance abuse, mental health clinics may now employ alcohol and drug screening procedures.
There are several ways that substance misuse might appear, including:
- An inability to control drug or alcohol use
- Depression
- Cravings for drugs or alcohol
- Social isolation
- Problems with finances or the law
- Increased tolerance, needing more to get the desired effect
- Inability to perform in daily life
- Withdrawal symptoms
- Mood changes
- Inability to focus
Symptoms like as delusions, hallucinations, paranoia, and suicidal thoughts are among the most severe. Anyone exhibiting even one of these symptoms should seek immediate assistance from a mental health professional.
Recovery is possible despite the greater difficulty of treating patients with multiple diagnoses. For the best outcomes, dual diagnoses should be treated simultaneously. A combination of conditions may cause a person to suffer from more severe mental and physical health concerns, as well as requiring longer periods of treatment.
Taylor Recovery Center Offers the Best Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Houston
If you have a dual diagnosis and need long-term recovery, we’ve found that an integrated therapeutic approach works best. Therapy for both substances abuse and mental illness must be tailored to each patient’s unique needs. At Taylor, we provide a safe, regulated environment where clients may work towards recovery with the assistance of our compassionate, highly qualified staff. Some members of our care team have been on the road to recovery personally, making them uniquely qualified to assist others on their own journeys. Contact Taylor Recovery Centerand get enrolled in our dual diagnosis treatment program.
When it comes to 12-Step recovery and individual and group therapy, Taylor also strives to offer a safe haven with a solid basis. Reach out to Taylor’s admittance team right away.
