The actual definition of dual diagnosis is the co-existence of a mental health disorder and drug addiction or alcoholism. The most effective dual diagnosis treatment generally will take place within a drug rehab or addiction treatment program with a strong psychiatric component. The mental health disorder and drug addiction / alcoholism should be treated simultaneously, while realizing the process of recovery is gradual.

Different Definition for Dual Diagnosis

The type of dual diagnosis I want to bring to light is that of the coexistence of an eating disorder and drug addiction or alcoholism. Patients like this are admitted to drug rehab and addiction treatment each and everyday. Unfortunately, drug rehab programs and alcohol rehab programs are not always equipped to treat the eating disorder and in many cases, do not even diagnose it correctly.

Relapse and Dual Diagnosis

In most cases, distorted thoughts regarding food and weight took place before the onset of the drug addiction or alcoholism. To not treat the eating disorder, along with the drug addiction and alcoholism, can only lead to relapse for the patient. It is no different than dealing with a mental health disorder and drug addiction, when one component ends in relapse the other is not far behind. The same holds true with an eating disorder and drug addiction. If one of the disorders are in relapse, it will not be long before both will be. Relapse of any kind creates shame, humiliation and a feeling of failure. If one continues in relapse from their eating disorder, it will not be long before they turn to their drug addiction or alcohol addiction to try and cope with their feelings of despair.

If you are looking for a dual diagnosis treatment program that is able to effectively deal with drug addiction, eating disorders and alcoholism call the dual diagnosis helpline at 1-800-511-9225 or go to www.lakeviewhealth.com.

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Selecting an addiction treatment center for alcoholism and drug abuse for yourself or someone you care about may be one of the most important decisions you will make in your lifetime. Most of us don’t know what to look for in a quality addiction treatment program. Not all addiction treatment centers are the same-they differ greatly in program options, staff qualifications, credentials, cost, and effectiveness.

You need to ask appropriate questions when you call an addiction treatment center for information and you should expect to receive clear answers.

To locate an effective addiction treatment program in your area call the national addiction treatment program helpline at 1-800-511-9225 or go to www.lakeviewhealth.com

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The term “dual diagnosis” may be new to your life and vocabulary or it may be something you are familiar with and have heard about before today. While not particularly well-known, dual diagnosis is more common than you might imagine. According to a report published by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), “Thirty seven percent of people who suffer from alcohol abuse and fifty-three percent of people who suffer from drug abuse also have at least one serious mental illness, which creates a dual diagnosis. Of all people diagnosed as mentally ill, 29 percent abuse either alcohol or drugs (NMHA, 2005). “Dual diagnosis” is defined as an individual who has two separate but very interrelated diagnoses. For the purpose of this article, dual diagnosis means a person has both:

1. A psychiatric diagnosis
2. A substance abuse diagnosis which may include drug addiction or alcohol addiction

A dual diagnosis occurs when an individual is affected by both chemical dependency and an emotional or psychiatric illness. Both illnesses may affect an individual physically, psychologically, socially and spiritually. Each illness has symptoms that interfere with a person’s ability to function effectively and relate to themselves and others. Not only is the individual affected by two separate illnesses, both illnesses interact with one another. The illnesses may exacerbate each other and at times the symptoms can overlap and even mask each other making diagnosis and dual diagnosis treatment more difficult.

The following psychiatric problems are common to occur in dual diagnosis, (i.e. in tandem with alcohol or drug dependency).

1. Depressive disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder.
2. Anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and phobias.
3. Other psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia and personality disorders.

If you are looking for an effective dual diagnosis treatment program you can call the dual diagnosis treatment helpline at 1-800-511-9225 or go to a dual diagnosis treatment program at www.steppingstonecenter.org

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