Dual Diagnosis is a condition in which a patient is already addicted to some drug and has a coexisting mental disorder. So, that patient has drug or alcohol problems and mental health issues at the same time. Identifying Symptoms and Treatment of Dual Diagnosis is very crucial. If we don’t do that in time, it can be catastrophic. There are a lot of Inpatient Drug Rehab Centers in California that can take care of the patients in the best way possible.
Let’s list out some common symptoms of dual diagnosis before we explain everything in detail. So here are some common symptoms:
- Using drugs to cope up with stress
- Frequent mood swings
- Engagement in irrelevant activities
- Disturbed sleep cycle
- Poor hygiene
- Suicidal thoughts
- Depressions
- Schizophrenia
- ADHD
- PTSD
- Bipolar personality disorder
Notice your loved ones today for these common symptoms because identifying these Symptoms and Treatment of Dual Diagnosis is very prominent at the right time.
Understanding Dual Diagnosis:
Individuals with Dual Diagnosis often struggle with issues that are not completely understood to themselves or others. This is in large part due to mental health stigma and the limited resources available.
Dual diagnosis also spans wide a variety of different mental health disorders. Each of which, can create unique problems for an individual. They include but are not limited to:
- ADHD
- Personality disorders (such as bipolar and borderline personality disorder)
- Depression
- Conduct disorders
- Schizophrenia
- PTSD
- Eating disorders (such as anorexia and bulimia)
According to Case Western University, people with severe mental health and substance abuse problems face social challenges such as: Retaining relationships, finding stable employment, procuring meaningful social roles within society, and fending off feelings of isolation. Often times, this leads them to keep company with people who actively abuse drugs and engage in risky or self-destructive behaviors.
Dual Diagnosis Symptoms:
Mental health disorders can interact with substance abuse in complex ways making it difficult to pinpoint where symptoms originate, and how to treat to treat them. As this interaction intensifies, common but alarming symptoms of dual diagnosis can include:
- Using drugs as a way of coping with psychological distress
- Drastic changes in mood and behavior
- Engages in risky or irresponsible activities
- Poor hygiene
- Changes in eating and sleeping routines
- Trouble keeping up with work and school
- Deteriorating wellbeing when not under the influence of drugs
- The person distances themselves from friends or family
- Suicidal thoughts
Treatment of Dual Diagnosis
Three decades ago, it was believed that mental health issues should be treated separately from substance use disorders. As addiction expert Rick Kruszynski put it: This led to people with comorbidity being “bounced back and forth” between facilities while little to no progress was being made.5
Today, Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment (IDDT) provides specialized and intensive addiction treatment for people with co-occurring disorders. Programs that utilize IDDT effectively blend psychological resources with addiction education and social development.3 These treatments help address the underlying issues of both disorders while also treating the person as whole.
Scope of Dual Diagnosis Treatment
One of the most important aspects of Dual Diagnosis Treatment is building trust. Individuals with co-occurring disorders have experienced abandonment and isolation. To combat this and improve treatment outcomes, dual diagnosis programs focus on creating alliances with patients, and encouraging clients to engage in treatment.
Like other Kinds of Addiction Treatment, dual diagnosis treatment prioritizes services such as detox, group counseling and behavioral type therapies. It also focuses on providing patients with the tools and resources to improve their quality of life. This includes fostering a sense of purpose, emphasizing social development and connecting them with economic resources such as vocational training, and financial support programs.
Dual diagnosis treatment has been adapted to different program types such as.
- Traditional and Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs)
- Inpatient Programs
- Residential Programs
- Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs)
Types of Services Offered in Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Each program has its own focuses and limitations. While some provide care for a specific stage of recovery or disorder, others may offer a broad range of services. Either way, programs that offer support for those with dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorders offer:
- Medical evaluation and diagnosis
- Specialized treatment plan
- Medical detox services
- 24/7 medical supervision
- Mental health and substance abuse education
- Motivational enhancement therapy
- Medication management services
- Family centered therapies and interventions
- Access to several kinds of behavioral therapy such as: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy CBT, dialectical Behavior Therapy DBT.
Dual Diagnosis Residential Treatment
In a residential inpatient program, individuals stay in a home-like environment. As part of the program, clients benefit from a more rigorous daily schedule, higher quality therapies and 24/7 medical support. Every day is carefully structured, and treatment plans are centered around helping patients overcome a myriad of symptoms.
Dual Diagnosis Programs help address other areas of importance such as the need for a relapse free environment. People with co-occurring disorders benefit from the supervision of Inpatient Programs provide. It can also be a supportive safe space for people who have home lives which are emotionally turbulent.
Those with dual diagnosis are likely to find a residential program to be more socially fulfilling. In a residential program, patients live and attend treatment together. Living with others who share similar experiences helps to fend off feelings of isolation and strengthens involvement in the program.
If you or a loved one are struggling with a substance abuse problem, call us today at (877)-372-0536. At Golden Road Recovery, we offer exceptional detox and residential inpatient services to residents and visitors of Los Angeles country area.
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