What are Co-Occurring Disorders? Dual Diagnosis Common when Drug and Alcohol Dependence are Present |
Posted: October 12, 2012 |
The definition of a co-occurring disorder is the existence of a substance abuse disorder and a mental health issue simultaneously. Mental health issues can include depression, bipolar disorder or anxiety. Drug Treatment Florida, Drug Rehab Florida, Drug and alcohol treatment Florida, Alcohol rehab center Florida, Alcohol rehabilitation Florida and Drug and alcohol rehab Florida have observed that although it is more difficult to treat co-occurring disorders, it is very common and can be overcome. What are Dual Diagnosis and Co-Occurring Disorders? Dual diagnosis includes the unique symptoms of both drug or alcohol dependence and mental health issues. These two issues often overlap and affect the functioning of the person afflicted. Moreover, Drug and alcohol treatment Florida, Drug rehabilitation Florida, Drug treatment centers Florida, Outpatient drug rehab Florida and Outpatient drug treatment Florida have observed that when one of the issues goes untreated, the other problem typically increases as well. Does the mental health issue or the Addiction come first? Although mental health issues are common in people who suffer from addiction, there are no scientific studies that prove that one causes the other.
Those with Mental Illness often suffer from Addiction According to reports published in the Journal of the American Medical Association:
Source: National Alliance on Mental Illness Thus, although a link exists between substance dependence and mental illness, such as depression, anxiety and bi-polar disorder, and the fact that the other may worsen one, a definitive link of one causing the other has not been validated. Joe Millisitz, Clinical Director at Sober Living Outpatient, Delray Beach, Florida states “It is very common to see co-occurring and dual diagnosis in the substance abuse population.” He goes on to state, “Although a scientific link does not exist that one disorder is responsible for the other, it is clear to us that without the treatment of both disorders, recovery from either disorders is precarious.”
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