Dual Diagnosis Explained: Managing Addiction and Mental Health Disorders

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The presence of at least one substance use disorder along with any other mental health disorder can lead to a dual diagnosis. There has been an increasing number of cases of mental health disorders in the past few years especially post-COVID-19. This leads to a higher chance of dual diagnosis which can influence the treatment approach.

Dual diagnosis can occur in many ways, for instance, a person may already experience challenges because of addiction-related concerns and also develop mental illness, such as generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) or one may be facing generalised anxiety disorder and develop alcohol addiction as unable to cope with GAD.

The goal of mental health practitioners and clients is to work together towards dual diagnosis treatment.

Why Is Dual Diagnosis Often Overlooked

Dual diagnosis may often get overlooked because of the reasons mentioned below:

1. Overlapping symptoms such as restlessness, mood changes, sleep disruption, etc.

2. Difficulty sharing about all the symptoms experienced because of the stigma associated with mental health.

3. Improper psychological assessment can also lead to misdiagnosis or only partial diagnosis.

The Connection Between Addiction and Mental Health

The relationship between addiction and mental health can be two-way. One’s mental health may influence addiction, and similarly, addiction-related concerns may influence the mental health of the individual.

How Mental Health Influences Addiction       

If someone is experiencing mental health concerns such as low mood, extreme uneasiness and panic, then due to a lack of awareness, they may use substances as a coping mechanism. Gradually, one may become dependent and addicted to the substances, increasing the chances of dual diagnosis.

How Addiction Impacts Mental Health

Addiction to a particular substance can also influence the mental health of the individual. For instance, a person who is addicted to marijuana may also develop psychosis. This can further deteriorate one’s mental health and it becomes essential to seek dual diagnosis treatment.

Common Mental Health Disorders Linked to Addiction

Some commonly observed mental health disorders linked to addiction are listed below. The goal is to give a glimpse of the relationship between addiction and mental health. The different co-occurring disorders can include:

1.  Substance Use Disorder and Depression

2. Substance Use Disorder and Anxiety Disorders

3. Substance Use Disorders and Psychosis

Diagnosing Dual Diagnosis

Diagnosis of mental health disorders involves thorough evaluation and assessments. The diagnosis is done after careful observation of the signs of dual diagnosis.  Trained clinical psychologists and psychiatrists can help in developing a proper diagnostic report and effective treatment planning.

Why Diagnosis Is Complicated

Here are some possible reasons which can contribute towards making the diagnosis complicated:

1. Overlapping symptoms

2. Insufficient psychological assessment

3. Overlooking certain symptoms

4. Client not sharing the concerns fully

5. Changes in symptom presentation

H3-The Role of Professionals

1. Maintain adequate professional competency to support the client

2. Refer to a specialised professional for proper assessment and diagnosis

3. Honest conversation with clients to support them fully with empathy

4. Developing an individualised treatment plan for co-occurring disorders

H3-Importance of Integrated Assessment

1. Comprehensive and holistic care ensures overall health improvement

2. Experts from different sub-fields work collaboratively to offer the best possible support

3. Helps identify the most effective coping strategies for the individual

Treatment Approaches for Dual Diagnosis

Individualised treatment methods can be developed to support individuals in coping with mental health treatment. A comprehensive treatment shall incorporate techniques that focus on physical, social, psychological and mental aspects of well-being.

Integrated Treatment Model

An integrated treatment shall include diverse strategies that help in understanding the core concerns and working on them alongside improving the individual’s quality of life. The treatment model can include different aspects and a few of those are listed below.

Therapy Options

Individual therapy sessions, group therapy sessions and family therapy sessions offer a safe space for expressing one’s concerns. The therapist may use modalities as per their own expertise and the client’s needs. Some techniques that can be useful for anxiety and addiction recovery include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Trauma-Informed therapy sessions.

Medication-Assisted Treatments (MAT)

Pharmacotherapy also becomes important, especially if the symptoms disrupt daily activities to a large extent. Pharmacotherapy can help in mood stabilisation, sleep issues and overall functioning.

Supportive Environments

Just like a plant needs a supportive environment for growth, a human also requires a caring environment for better well-being. This can be through many ways, such as an ethical and compassionate inpatient facility, such as Athena Behavioral Health or through a supportive environment at home.

How to Manage Dual Diagnosis in Daily Life

In day-to-day life, the management of dual diagnosis can become smoother with certain specific techniques. Addiction and mental health concerns can be managed by effectively planning one’s routine and adhering to the treatment developed.

Building a Recovery Routine

1. To-do list

2. Using visual aids

3. Digital diaries

4. Activity reminders

Developing Emotional Resilience

1. Being kind to oneself

2. Reminding self of past achievements

3. Using affirmations

4. Celebrating every milestone 

Role of Family and Loved Ones

Family and loved ones play a crucial role in the anxiety and addiction recovery journey. Caregivers can also identify signs of emotional distress and help the individual seek intervention timely manner.

How Families Can Offer Support

1. Emotional support

Listening to the concerns with empathy and a non-judgmental attitude can be helpful.

2. Financial Support

One may require financial support because of difficulty in employment and expenses related to mental health services.

Encouraging Professional Help

Family members can also encourage the individual to seek professional support. They can go along with them for consultations to better understand the treatment journey as well and ensure adherence to the same.

Long-Term Recovery and Relapse Prevention

As one walks on the path towards creating long-term recovery, the goal is also to prevent relapse and maintain healthy wellness. This can be done with the help of:

1. Recognition of triggers timely and seeking support promptly

2. Being consistent with professional support and follow-up sessions

3. Embracing the healing journey, which can involve a lot of insights

Conclusion

At Athena Behavioral Health, we believe in doing a thorough evaluation as per the signs of dual diagnosis and developing a treatment plan accordingly. Our team offers individualised treatment plans that are integrative in nature. We also make every possible effort to prevent relapse and assist with the continuous care program.

If you want to learn more about our support and working style, please feel free to reach out to us at this number: +91 9289086193