What You Should Know About Dual Diagnosis

A person with dual diagnosis suffers from two separate illnesses, a mood disorder and substance abuse. Because there are two illnesses, each needs its own method of treatment. Living with and treating dual diagnosis can be difficult, but recovery is not impossible. Here are some things you should know about dual diagnosis and those who suffer from it.

Self-Medication

One factor that may lead to a dual diagnosis is self-medication. Those who may already unknowingly suffer from a mood disorder may use substances to help temper the symptoms of the disorder. For instance, alcohol may help calm a racing mind in a manic person, or drugs may lift the spirits of a depressed person. However, these quick fixes are just that, and once the effects of the substance wears off, the initial symptoms become worse than before.

Mood Disorders

It is important to be aware of the symptoms of mood disorders in order to help prevent a dual diagnosis. You cannot diagnosis yourself, but recognizing the signs and visiting a health care professional can help you avoid turning to substance abuse for relief. The symptoms of depression and mania, the most common mood disorders, may be common individually, but in occurrence simultaneously and excessively, they are signs of a much bigger issue.

Treatment

For the greatest chance of recovery from dual diagnosis, both disorders should be treated. If only one is treated, treatment is less likely to be effective. And if neither are treated, one disorder can make the other worse. Even more, it is important to stay sober while treating dual diagnosis not only because of the substance abuse, but it is also dangerous to mix drugs or alcohol with the medication for the mood disorder.

Because of the two separate illnesses, it may be necessary to go to more than one doctor and support group during treatment. Treatment options can include talk therapy, support groups, medication, counseling and recovery groups. Because each treatment is tailored specifically for a particular disorder, it is important that different methods of treatment for each illness are used for the best likelihood of a full recovery.

There is help and hope available for those who have dual diagnosis. Find out how South Coast Counseling can help you or a loved one get treatment for and recover from dual diagnosis. 

PTSD: Long-Term Effects of Traumatic Experiences

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, more commonly known as PTSD, affects more than 8 million adults in any given year, according to the US Department of Veterans Affairs. PTSD can be the long-term effect from a traumatic event or experience that occurs at any point in an individual’s life. Without proper mental health treatment, PTSD can deteriorate the quality of life and cause worsened symptoms of the disorder or encourage substance abuse.

Causes of PTSD

While many are correct to associate PTSD with some military veterans who have been in combat, this disorder can actually affect anyone who has been through a traumatic experience. Really, events can be considered traumatic if they left a lasting impression on the victim that emotionally or psychologically affects them. If this trauma came on unexpectedly, the victim felt powerless during the event, or the experience happened repeatedly, PTSD would not be an unlikely outcome.

Symptoms of PTSD

Like many mental health disorders, the symptoms of PTSD can range far and wide both physically and psychologically. For instance, PTSD patients can suffer from irritability, anxiety and feelings of hopelessness. Physically, they can feel tired, suffer from aches and pains and have insomnia or nightmares. Overtime, these symptoms can wear an individual down, leading them to get proper mental health treatment or, more unfortunately, to turn to unhealthy habits like drug or alcohol abuse.

PTSD and Substance Abuse 

When someone who suffers from PTSD also has a substance abuse problem, they might be considered co-occurring disorder or dual diagnosis patients. Dual diagnosis is when the individual drinks or uses drugs in the hopes that it will rid them of their PTSD-driven symptoms and memories. However, drugs and alcohol can actually worsen symptoms, making PTSD that much more difficult to handle.

A co-occurring disorder is more difficult to treat as the mental health disorder and the substance addiction are established independently of one another. It is possible, when this happens, that there is not a single cause to which the disorder and the addiction can be attributed to. Either way, those suffering from PTSD and substance abuse should seek the proper treatment they need in order to live a healthy lifestyle once again.

Mental Health Treatment for PTSD

One of the only ways to effectively overcome the symptoms of PTSD is to seek the help of a professional therapist. This is especially the case if the individual also struggles with substance abuse. Trying to juggle the symptoms of PTSD, in addition to going through detox without the assistance of a professional, can be dangerous and unsuccessful.

Treatment can help them learn to deal with their mental health disorder as well as how to cope with their alcohol or drug abuse. In doing so, the patient will be able to deal with their traumatic memories in a healthy, more effective fashion.

Are you struggling with the long-term effects of a traumatic event? Our professional staff here at South Coast Counseling can help you overcome substance addiction and learn how to handle your PTSD. Reach out to us today to learn more about our treatment programs for individuals just like yourself.