Dual Diagnosis

Dual diagnosis is a condition where individuals have both a substance addiction and a mental illness. Because they co-exist, these two conditions exacerbate each other, and require simultaneous treatment. The term dual diagnosis came into use during the 1980’s, when psychiatrists realized that personality traits do not cause addiction, as was previously thought. Until that point, it was not officially recognized by the American Psychological Association (APA) that an individual could be diagnosed with more than one illness at a time.

Dual diagnosis is a fairly common occurrence in mental health patients. Approximately 37% of alcoholics and 53% of drug users have a psychiatric illness. In addition, 29% of people with mental illnesses have a problem with substance abuse. Some of the mental illnesses that can co-exist with addiction are depression, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and schizophrenia. The psychiatric disorder most commonly associated with dual diagnosis is anti-social disorder, with an occurrence of approximately 15%.

Many psychiatrists have tried to figure out whether it is the mental illness or the addiction that comes first in patients with dual diagnosis. In most cases, it is apparent that the mental illness is first. Individuals will often use alcohol and drugs as a way to regulate their condition, and to feel normal again. This self-medication can, over time, turn into an addiction where the substances are used not only to feel good but also as an emotional crutch.

In some cases of dual diagnosis, it is the substance abuse that comes first. With long term use, many abused substances can lead to a psychiatric illness. This is especially true in cases of severe substance abuse, where the user can eventually develop the symptoms of mental illness, such as depression, suicide attempts, and emotional extremes.

The most common treatment for dual diagnosis involves treating both the mental illness and the addiction at the same time, to reduce the chance of a relapse due to either factor. Most often, treatment begins after an intensive rehab session. The majority of individuals enter into a rehabilitation center that also has mental health support, such as a hospital. There are also some private recovery clinics available that may offer a more specialized or alternative approach to treatment.

The support of family and friends is essential for patients recovering from a dual diagnosis. Patients who have family involved in their recovery have a better chance of not relapsing. Family and friends visiting individuals with a dual diagnosis should remember to be calm, understanding, and supportive. Many programs offer group therapy sessions with the family members and friends of patients, teaching them the importance of being supportive without being an enabler. An enabler is someone who assists addicts, either intentionally or not, in continuing their destructive habits. These therapy and support sessions can help to ease the concerns of family members and friends, while helping them to be of assistance to the recovering patient.

Patients should continue their treatment even after being released from a recovery center. Meetings for addicts, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, can help patients resist the lure of drugs and alcohol by providing a support system of others who are also recovering addicts. Continued visits with a psychiatrist can prevent a relapse of mental illness. Getting treatment is essential to recovering from dual diagnosis. With a lot of hard work, determination, support of family and friends individuals suffering from a dual diagnosis can eventually live normal lives.

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