You are said to have a dual diagnosis when you suffer from a mental illness and a substance-abuse disorder at the same time. Often, a person begins to use, then abuse the substance as a way to medicate themselves from the effects of the mental illness.
Crisis Intervention
A dual diagnosis is commonly made when someone enters a treatment facility for addiction to alcohol or other drugs. Upon evaluation of his mental and emotional state, the psychiatrist discovers the patient also has an underlying mental disorder.
Diagnosed
Disorders commonly found to coexist with a substance-abuse disorder include anxiety disorder, depression, manic depression (also called bipolar disorder), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and personality disorders. Other mental illnesses can also occur with substance abuse disorder.
Treatment
While patients with more than one diagnosis have a worse prognosis, treatment is frequently effective at controlling the substance abuse and achieving a higher level of wellness with regard to the mental illness. The patient must be safely withdrawn from the alcohol or other substance, then therapy and/or medication can be used to treat the underlying mental illness. Counseling is usually ongoing for the substance-abuse disorder.
Prevention
If you must take a prescription drug known to cause addiction, take it only as prescribed and only for as long as prescribed. Mental illness is not usually preventable, but taking good care of your health and keeping yourself in a calm, healthy environment surrounded by people who love you will optimize your chances.
Getting Help
To be of help to someone with a dual diagnosis, encourage him to attend substance-abuse meetings, take any medications as prescribed and keep his mental health appointments. Do not place undue stress upon him or have expectations he cannot possibly meet. Encourage him to talk about his problems and provide unconditional support.
