Dual Diagnosis Disorder FAQs
Do you have questions about dual diagnosis disorders? Mental illness or addiction on their own would be a challenge to live with. Having both is even more complex. You need to know what to do and where to go for treatment. Take a look at these frequently asked questions about dual diagnosis disorders.
Dual Diagnosis Disorder Questions
What Is A Dual Diagnosis Disorder
Which comes first, mental illness or drug addiction? In many cases, the mental illness has come first. People with a dual diagnosis often develop the addiction because they self-medicate with addictive drugs or alcohol. They use more and more to mask the mental illness symptoms, and before long they can become addicted. Not everyone with a mental illness uses drugs and alcohol to manage their symptoms. Some people are more vulnerable to drug addiction than others.
Why Are The Mental Illness And Addiction Treated At The Same Time
Research has shown that people have a better recovery when both problems are managed at the same time. Several years ago, people with a dual diagnosis were treated for their addiction first. They needed to get stable with their sobriety before mental illness treatment was started. Now, both are done simultaneously.
If the mental illness remains untreated for a while, it will remain a potent threat to sobriety. Because a person with a dual diagnosis disorders usually self-medicates the mental illness, this underlying problem must be addressed immediately.
Why Did My Doctor Give Me Drugs For My Mental Illness
A doctor prescribing medication for someone with a dual diagnosis must be cautious. Some anti-anxiety medications and sedatives are in an addictive drug class. Many helpful medications for mental illnesses are safe for people with a dual diagnosis. Check with your doctor to be sure he or she knows of your dual
diagnosis issues before they prescribe any medication for you.
Can Any Drug Rehab Center Treat My Dual Diagnosis Disorder
Some drug rehabs treat people with a dual diagnosis as well as those with just addiction. A few newer drug rehab centers focus on dual diagnosis as their specialty. You need to be sure that no matter where you go for drug treatment, you are treated by professionals who are trained for dual diagnosis. If you see a place you’d like to try, ask if they treat dual diagnosis. If not, you need to keep looking. Leaving your mental illness untreated can dramatically lessen your chances of maintaining sobriety.
More Questions About Dual Diagnosis Disorders and Drug Rehab
If you find yourself with more questions than answers, you aren’t alone. Recovering from a drug addiction and managing a mental illness is a tricky balance. Contact the Canyon Drug Rehab to ask more important questions about drug treatment for someone with a dual diagnosis.
Tags: drug treatment, drug-rehab, Dual Diagnosis Disorder FAQs
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