Dual Diagnosis
When living with the symptoms of depression, anxiety, or more severe mental disorders, it’s not uncommon for sufferers to turn to alcohol, or drugs, to ease the pain. It happens all too often when a mental disorder is undiagnosed and untreated, or if long-term substance abuse has contributed to the development of a mental illness.
What is dual-diagnosis?
Dual diagnosis refers to the co-occurrence of substance abuse with a mental illness. Substance abuse is a common problem among people with mental illness and, if undiagnosed can interfere with treatment and recovery.
How common is dual diagnosis?
Mental illness and substance abuse / drug addiction often go hand-in-hand. They may occur at the same time, or one may develop before the other. In any case, it is important to recognize both conditions in order to affect the best possible addiction treatment outcome.
According to the Alcohol, Drug Abuse and Mental Health Administration a significant percentage of the 1.5 to 2 million Americans with severe mental illness abuse substances, as compared to the general population.
The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reported that of all people diagnosed with a mental illness, 29% abuse either alcohol or other drugs. Thirty-seven percent of alcohol abusers and 53% of drug abusers also have a serious mental illness.
In any twelve-month period, an estimated 10 million people throughout the United States have a combination of at least one mental health and substance use disorder. (SAMSHA)
People with serious mental illness are 4-5 times as likely to develop a substance abuse disorder as the general population. (SAMHSA)
Co-occurring substance use and mental disorders can occur at any age. Research suggests that as many as half of the adults who have a diagnosable mental disorder will also have a substance use disorder at some point during their lifetime. ( President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health)
A National Association of Mental Health study shows the increased risk for substance abuse for the following psychiatric disorders:
- Antisocial personality disorder 15.5% increased risk of substance abuse
- Manic episode 14.5%
- Schizophrenia 10.1%
- Panic disorder 4.3%
- Major depressive episode 4.1%
- Obsessive compulsive disorder 3.4%
- Phobias 2.4%
If you are looking for dual diagnosis treatment you can go to www.lakeviewhealth.com or call the national dual diagnosis treatment helpline at 1-800-511-9225.
