By: Rhea Rosier | Published on: 11th June, 2012.
What is the purpose of dual diagnosis at drug treatment centers?
There are many reasons for having dual diagnosis programs at drug treatment centers. Usually the biggest purpose of a dual diagnosis program at a drug treatment center is to help treat co-occurring disorders in order to better help the recovering addict or alcoholic stay clean. The purpose of dual diagnosis programs are plenty and very important. For instance, traditional therapy or therapy just for addiction at a drug treatment centers won’t cut it. Most drug rehab centers are not equipped to handle the psychiatric element of a co-occurring disorder and traditional therapy is not equipped to handle drug addiction. Finding a drug rehab center that specializes in dual diagnosis disorders would be ideal because most drug rehab centers focus solely on the drug addiction element of the problem. Finding dual diagnosis programs at drug treatment centers are so important to the overall healing of an addict. Dual diagnosis disorder therapies are specialized and focused on treating all forms of disorders along with addictions.
Dual diagnosis therapy treats clients who are addicts and have another form of emotional or mental disorder that puts them at high-risk of relapse. Studies have found that those with a dual diagnosis are more prone to violence and have a high suicide rate making them harder to help at drug treatment centers. This is one of the biggest purposes of a dual diagnosis program at a drug treatment center. A dual diagnosis can be made up of a variety of things so the purpose of dual diagnosis programs at drug treatment centers is to treat them all. For instance to be classified as having a dual diagnosis, the individual must have an addiction (alcohol, cocaine, heroin, prescription drugs, etc.) and a mental illness (schizophrenia, anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression etc.) The combinations of dual diagnosis are nearly endless. The purpose of dual diagnosis programs at drug treatment centers is important because mental illness often leads into the drug addiction. Those who suffer from bipolar disorder, anxiety or depression often turn to drugs and alcohol to “self-medicate” as a means of dealing with their symptoms. Dual diagnosis programs at drug treatment centers is more common than you might think that is because recent studies have shown that 1 out of every 2 individuals with a mental disorder are also suffering with drug addiction. Dual diagnosis programs at drug treatment centers are the answer. The purpose of dual diagnosis programs at drug treatment centers are to make sure there is a much higher success rate for those individuals who receive therapy for co-occurring disorders, as opposed to treating each issue individually. Family members can play an important role in dual diagnosis programs. Those dealing with co-occurring disorders need their family for love and support. The purpose of dual diagnosis programs in drug treatment centers is to help the family by giving them information. Families can help themselves and their loved ones by educating themselves on the addiction, mental and emotional disorders (if present) attending support groups and workshop.
Receiving dual diagnosis treatment is life changing for many patients who are confused and feeling emotionally and psychologically disoriented because they just do not know what’s going on. Have a drug or alcohol addiction along with a mental disorder can create overwhelming emotions especially in people who are affected by diseases where their rationale or memory has been severely damaged. The dual diagnosis programs at drug treatment centers for co-occurring disorders may take time. Because of the multi-layered nature of co-occurring disorders, recovery may take longer than standard drug treatment. Individuals and their families need to be patient, and move at their own pace, even if that means taking part in a program lasting several months or a year. The purpose of dual diagnosis programs at drug treatment centers is to give each individual the therapy for dual diagnosis and have specialists in co-occurring disorders which can help the most effectively. So if you’re looking for a dual diagnosis programs at drug treatment centers make sure you look for one that specializes in dual diagnosis
Palm Partners Recovery Center offers an excellent dual-diagnosis program that effectively treats clients who have a drug and/or alcohol addiction alongside a mental or mood disorder. To find out more about Palm Partners dual diagnosis program give us a call at 1-877-411-4673.
By: Rhea Rosier | Published on: 12th December, 2011.
What is Dual Diagnosis?
By: Rhea Rosier, Palm Partners Recovery Center
December 12th, 2011
Dual diagnosis is the treatment of addiction plus some. Dual diagnosis is the condition of a person considered to be suffering from a mental illness and a substance abuse problem. Mental illness in a dual diagnosis can consist of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and bi polar just to name a few. Any of these mental illnesses along with a substance abuse problem make up the term of dual diagnosis. Dual diagnosis needs to be treated as such rather than just a substance abuse problem. A lot of times the mental illness can be one of the driving forces for the substance abuse problem. This is why most treatment centers that deal with substance abuse also do dual diagnosis.
Substance abuse resides in the brain, just as mental illness resides in the brain. So therefore the two have to be treated in accordance with each other through a dual diagnosis drug alcohol treatment program. Dual diagnosis is probably the most effective treatment there is for mental illness plus addiction. Dual diagnosis can make a person more prone to relapse if the two illnesses are not treated together.
That is why attending a drug and alcohol rehab that states a specific modality in dual diagnosis is probably the best option for you if you know you have a mental illness along with alcoholism or addiction. Dual diagnosis is effective because it treats both conditions giving you a better shot at sobriety. When you treat both diseases at the same time you can start to live a full healthy life. Treatment of the two disorders or dual diagnosis should be integrated, not separate, and should be a collaborative decision-making process between the treatment team and the patient. Recovery needs to be viewed as a marathon, not as a sprint, and methods and outcome goals should be explicit.
Drug abuse, including alcohol and prescription drugs can induce symptoms that resemble mental illness which can make it difficult to differentiate between substance induced disorders and pre-existing mental health problems. More often than not psychiatric disorders among drug or alcohol abusers disappear with prolonged abstinence. Substance induced psychiatric symptoms can occur both in the intoxicated state and also during the withdrawal state. That is why it is always best to find an alcohol treatment center that can treat both conditions. These treatment centers that specialize in dual diagnosis are better equipped to diagnose any conditions. Most addicts and alcoholics come into rehab with mental illness and substance abuse. It is best to utilize an alcohol drug rehab that treats both for the time being until it is determined if it is drug and alcohol abuse induced or a true illness.
If you or someone you know could benefit from a dual diagnosis treatment center please call 1-877-711-HOPE(4673) or go to www.palmpartners.com
By: Rhea Rosier | Published on: 11th August, 2011.
Treating Drug Addiction and Mental Health Disorders Simultaneously
The physical and mental complications associated with substance abuse are plentiful. 
Drug abuse commonly causes physical problems such as liver disease, lung disease, heart disease, vitamin deficiencies and brain damage. When taken during pregnancy, drugs are the cause of birth defects. Some drugs affect the immune system and increase the risk of infections. People who take amphetamines are at risk of heart attacks, strokes, recurring severe anxiety and paranoia. Hallucinogens, because they distort reality, can make people temporarily psychotic or make them attempt illegal acts, like stealing, for example.
Diseases such as AIDS or hepatitis transmitted while sharing needles are yet another consequence of drug abuse. Overdoses can even cause death. When you realize that the complications of drug abuse are not worth risking your life, find help at an addiction treatment program.
Oftentimes, a drug addict or alcoholic also suffers from one or more mental disorders, such as depression, that was a contributing factor in the addictive behavior. The diagnosis of this condition is called “dual diagnosis.” Alcoholics and addicts with mental health disorders should be treated for both disorders at the same time. In the past, addiction professionals questioned if a person with multiple disorders should be treated for mental health or addiction first.
Through research, it was determined that since some patients use drugs to treat mental health problems, and others have mental health issues because of their drug use, the most effective way to treat the addiction and the mental disorder is to treat them simultaneously.
If you think you may be suffering from a mental health disorder, such as depression, and you are also addicted to alcohol or drugs, it is imperative that you seek addiction treatment help immediately.
As with any chronic diseases, relapse can occur during or after successful addiction treatment. Individuals who have suffered with addiction for many years may require prolonged addiction treatment, or more than one cycle of addiction treatment, before they can accept the life changes needed to achieve long-term abstinence and full restoration to a life free of drugs.
The period of time immediately following addiction treatment is just as important as being in treatment, and continuous support will be necessary to remain drug free. A relapse indicates that more work, and probably more addiction treatment, is needed.
Do not give up! If you or someone you know is suffering from a relapse of drug or alcohol addiction, do not panic. Seek the help of a professional addiction treatment program.
Call 1-877-711-HOPE(4673).
www.palmpartners.com
