How Integrated Therapies Solve Your Dual Diagnosis

June 20, 2012 0 Comments

Substance users who have mental disorders will have dual diagnosis which normally demands extra therapy when patients are rehabilitated. The recovery of an individual with dual diagnosis can only be successful when both of his drug or alcohol addiction and mental illness are treated. Often, medicines and treatment are integrated by Dual Diagnosis Treatment to treat people with co-occurring conditions.

Individuals who have mental problems have the tendency to have dual disorders because they are likely to resort to alcohol or drug use. As they can have difficulty in making social relationships, they can find acceptance from groups with drug-based social activities. For some individuals, it is more acceptable to be identified as a drug addict than to be known to have a mental problem.

Because medical professionals may have difficulties in getting appropriate diagnosis to individuals who have more than one illness, it has become difficult to find the best therapy for them. According to some experts, drug abuse can worsen or hide a person’s mental health conditions which make him suffer from harsh consequences. Those with dual diagnosis may be violent, unable to comply with medicines and fail to cooperate with Drug Treatment Program compared to people who only have a mental ailment or drug abuse.

Treating dual diagnosis should begin with submitting the affected individual to detoxification before his mental ailments will be treated. Mental issues such as depression, schizophrenia and anti-social personality problem usually have a connection with dual diagnosis.

Dual diagnosis can be best treated utilizing an integrated therapy which is composed of the same doctors who work together in the same setting to offer the appropriate approach to people with substance abuse and mental health issues. The professionals will always ensure that the assistance provided for the person’s substance abuse and mental health disorders are not divided.

An Integrated treatment also recognizes the need to reconcile conventional mental health counseling and substance abuse counseling to deal with dual diagnosis patients. Those who’ve bipolar disorder may require more than teaching them relationship skills since they must learn the right ways to avoid the relationships which have pressured them to go into drug abuse.

Dual diagnosis individuals should continue the therapy at their own pace. But professionals must let them understand the complexities in overcoming addiction and recognize all their achievements. Continuing treatment must also require the support of the patient’s family who’ll help the patients avoid all triggers of the interacting disorders.

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