Definition of Dual Diagnosis

When a person is diagnosed with both a mental illness and an addiction to alcohol or drugs, it is called a dual diagnosis. Successful treatment programs address both issues simultaneously.

Considerations

• Patients assigned dual diagnosis are afflicted with mental diseases such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar, manic and dissociative disorders. They also are physically and chemically addicted to mind-altering drugs.

Identification

• Dual diagnosis is also known as co-occurring disorder, concurrent disorders, double trouble, dual disorder and co-morbid disorder.

Types

• Dual diagnosis can refer to a patient suffering any of the following: a major mental illness with substance abuse; substance abuse with a personality disorder; substance abuse with personality disorder and symptoms including hallucinations or depression requiring a psychiatrist's care; or a combination of substance abuse with mental illness and evidence of organic syndromes. Such syndromes stem from abnormal functioning of the brain.

Effects

• The use of alcohol and/or drugs by patients with a dual diagnosis can cause negative side effects when combined with prescribed mental health medications. This substance abuse can trigger psychiatric reactions resulting in hospitalization.

Treatments

• Treatment by a single provider who offers therapy for both mental illness and drug and alcohol dependency is the most effective way to achieve recovery and health. There is, however, hesitancy from providers in both fields to aggressively support unified treatment plans for fear of losing funding; many providers resist working so closely with specialists outside of their areas of expertise.

Theories

• Mental health professionals suggest that deficiencies in nerve functioning may be indicators that dual disorders exist. Dual diagnoses have also been linked to individuals with a history of poverty, parental neglect, sexual or physical abuse, self medicating and inner city living.

History

• The term "dual diagnosis" came into common usage in 1984 when research findings showed the majority of patients diagnosed with mental illnesses also were addicted to drugs or alcohol.