Understanding a Dual Diagnosis- There is Help and Hope

Many people who have been diagnosed with having substance abuse problems also have a diagnosis for other psychological disorders as well. When this occurs, it is called having a dual diagnosis.

Research has demonstrated that one-third of substance abusers also have psychiatric diagnoses as well.

Many individuals who are psychotic use substances to self-medicate or for self-preservation purposes.

Individuals who have substance abuse disorders as well as psychotic disorders behave more impulsively, tend to become violent easily, they have a difficult time complying with treatment, they become suicidal, and they are often unemployed and homeless (Stevens & Smith, 2013).

Mental disorders can turn into a dual diagnosis by a person taking medication to help with their mental illness and they become addicted to the medication and abuse it. This can then lead to abusing other drugs as well as alcohol.

Substance abuse can also lead to "substance abuse induced mental disorders."  

I personally know of someone who developed schizophrenia from abusing drugs.

Treatments consist of treating them together, treating them separately at the same time, and treating the disorders consecutively after one has first stabilized.

Treatment options are in-patient, out-patient, medications, and psychotherapy/ counseling.

There is help, hope, and treatment for Dual Diagnosis of Mental Disorders and Substance Abuse Disorders.

Reference

Stevens, P., & Smith, R. L. (2013). Substance abuse counseling: Theory and practice (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.

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