Dual Diagnosis and Substance Abuse Treatment

A substance abuse problem can ruin lives, cost huge sums of money, can damage the body beyond repair and can ultimately kill. There are many new addiction treatments available that can put an end to the suffering and give patients suffering from an addiction a new lease of life. But what happens if the substance abuse is only part of the problem? Recent studies have shown that there is a strong connection between substance abuse and mental illness, with approximately 50% of patients suffering from a mental illness also suffering from some form of substance abuse. If a patient suffers from both, treating one without the other may not prove to be effective. Simply giving the patient drug or alcohol treatment may not be enough.

Dual diagnosis and substance abuse treatment aims to solve this problem by tackling mental illness and drug addiction together in a single setting, making it easier for the patient to get maximum benefit as their conditions are dealt with at the same time. This relatively new form of addiction treatment is changing lives all over the world as patients get help dealing with the mental turmoil while making the break from drug and alcohol addiction.

For patients suffering from co-occurring severe mental illness and substance abuse, the importance of getting the right treatment cannot be overstated. Patients with co-occurring disorders have a much greater tendency toward violent behavior and are often less likely to respond to ordinary treatment than a patient with just a substance abuse problem or a mental illness. For a lot of patients, their mental illness can lead to living in a marginal neighborhood where drug use is particularly prevalent, making it harder to kick the habit. For these patients, dual diagnosis and substance abuse treatment can be vital.

24 Hour Addiction Treatment & Intervention Assistance

For dual diagnosis and substance abuse treatment to be effective, it has to be done properly. This usually entails one set of medical staff trained to provide drug treatment and mental health services in a single environment. This ensure that the patient receives all the help they need in a consistent way without having separate teams trying to deal with these related problems on their own or trying to solve one without the other. The best services also provide support for the families and loved ones of those with substance abuse and mental illness to help them through the difficulties they face.