Dual Diagnosis Substance Abuse

In dual diagnosis substance abuse must be present. It requires a treatment approach that is totally different from typical chemical dependency. Simple detox and rehab techniques will not be able to sufficiently address the issues surrounding co-occurring disorders, much less treat them effectively. This being the case, when what you're dealing with is drug or alcohol use coupled with a psychiatric or mental disorder, you are going to need specialized care to ensure recovery.

Dual diagnosis

As mentioned, in true dual diagnosis substance abuse must be a co-occurring condition. Almost 50% of patients suffering from a psychiatric illness such as schizophrenia also report the abusing of alcohol or drugs. There are many theories explaining how mental illness and substance abuse can co-exist. One theory explains that certain types of substances can actually cause psychosis, a highly plausible explanation considering that drugs directly target the brain and its rewards areas to cause the addiction. Long-term drug use can lead to psychosis, which thereby explains the co-occurrence.

Self-medication

In another theory that attempts to explain dual diagnosis substance abuse, self-medication is believed to be another reason why the co-morbidity develops. Patients suffering from some form of psychosis such as clinical depression are usually provided with a particular medication to help them manage the illness. Sedatives and certain types of stimulants may be prescribed and the abuse is usually rooted on the great desire to manage the disease. Some people become so hell-bent on treating the problem on their own that they resort to overdosing themselves with certain types of drugs, which in turn appears to make them feel better.

Coping mechanism

Yet another theory about dual diagnosis substance abuse suggests that the substance abuse in people suffering from mental illnesses serves as some sort of coping mechanism. In order to escape the perceived reality that they are inadequate because of their condition, many patients resort to using drugs and alcohol. The habit is said to make them feel better about themselves.

Specialized treatments

In conditions of dual diagnosis substance abuse needs to be addressed through specialized treatments because the diagnosis is considered more complicated than typical chemical dependency. In theory, every type of substance use is driven by some sort of mental issue but with the case of dual diagnosis, the mental illness is chronic so that it aggravates the addiction or dependency on drugs or alcohol.

At Miramar Recovery Center, we offer comprehensive and individualized approaches to treating co-occurring disorders to ensure sustainable recovery. We take care to address every facet of the illness so that an individual leaves our facility with renewed self-confidence and the ability to manage his life without resorting to drug or alcohol abuse.