A dual diagnosis can also be called co-occurring disorders and is the medical term for when someone experiences substance abuse and mental illness at the same time. Any combination of mental illness, which can include depression and anxiety, and any addiction, such as gambling, alcohol, or drugs, can qualify. When looking for mental health rehab centers Los Angeles residents should know about this type of treatment.
It’s Not Rare: A dual diagnosis is not rare and some studies show that as many as half of those who suffer with alcohol or drug addiction can have a form of mental illness.
There Are Many Forms: Any combination can qualify, and since there are many different types of mental illnesses and addiction, there are a number of different possibilities. The right treatment will help your specific type of addiction and mental illness.
Can Be Hard to Treat: One of the items that makes dual diagnosis difficult to treat is it’s hard to tell where some symptoms are coming from. If a dual diagnosis patient has depression, it’s hard to know if the drug addiction or the mental illness is causing it. Depression can be a symptom of many different things and it’s best to find the cause, instead of just trying to treat the symptoms.
High Risk Patients: Mental illness is hard enough as it is, but when combined with the complications from addiction, many of these patients have violent tendencies and there is a high suicide rate.
Find the Right Rehab Center: There are many rehabs that aren’t equipped to handle dual diagnosis patients. When searching for the right mental health rehab centers Los Angeles patients need to make sure that the staff can be equipped to handle these kinds of issues. The right program will also move at a pace that is comfortable for the individual. If it’s not moving at a pace that is comfortable, it can interfere with the mental illness treatment.
Integrated Treatment: Even though it is difficult to treat, one of the best ways to treat dual diagnosis is with integrated treatment. Treating both at the same time while under than one roof is the most successful method of treatment.
May Take Longer: There is no quick fix for just addiction treatment, but when you factor in the care that is needed to treat mental illness, the process can be extended by months or also years.
Those who suffer with mental illness are more likely to have an addiction. Those who suffer from depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder, can see their causal drinking or drug use escalate quickly. Some of the physical signs can include withdrawal symptoms, red and dilated eyes, and changes in sleeping patterns. Some behavior signs include lack of motivation, self centered behavior, or money troubles.