About Dual Diagnosis Management

When a person suffers from a dual diagnosis the collective psychosocial issues may feel overwhelming and seem difficult to treat and manage. The term dual diagnosis is used to describe concurring or co-existing chemical abuse disorders and mental illnesses. Since psychiatric disorders and substance abuse issues can vary greatly, no one standard type of dual diagnosis exists. The good news is that most people diagnosed with dual disorders can recover.

Double Trouble

• A host of problems are possible when working to manage a dual diagnosis. Sometimes emotional abnormalities can be hidden by the use of alcohol or drugs. In other cases, substance abuse issues can give the impression that a person is suffering from a mental disorder.

  A dual diagnosis can also intensify problems with family members and in intimate relationships, and cause problems at work, at school and with personal finances.

Diagnosing Two Conditions

• In general, problems with drugs and alcohol often emerge due to underlying depression and anxiety issues, personality disorders and sometimes schizophrenia. In some cases the emotional problems are the first or core issue.

  Symptoms of mental disorders can prompt people to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol in order to lessen the effects of their condition at least temporarily. On the other hand, substance issues can come first and eventually cause mental and emotional issues to transpire.

Treating the Conditions Simultaneously

• When left untreated, chemical dependency can exacerbate psychiatric symptoms, while overlooked mental conditions can increase the chance of a drug or alcohol relapse.

  In order to get better, someone with a dual diagnosis must treat both conditions. When a person is under the care of the same medical professional or team for combined treatment of chemical and mental issues it is referred to as integrated dual disorders.

Living with Dual Diagnosis

• The majority of people who suffer from dual disorders can make a successful recovery. They have a greater likelihood of success when they receive integrated dual disorders treatment.

  Although relapses are always a possibility, most people are able to get back on their feet and proceed with recovery. Some people attend self-help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Dual Recovery Anonymous to aid in the prevention of relapses and help to maintain their recovery.