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Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Our Florida Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center

What is a dual diagnosis treatment?

First of all, let’s define what dual diagnosis means. Dual diagnosis can best be described as the co-existence of a mental illness and drug addiction or alcoholism. Examples of typical mental illnesses might be Depression, Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality Dsorder, Anxiety Disorder or Attention Deficit Disorder. Our Florida dual diagnosis treatment center is aware of research that indicates that in order to avoid relapse and recover fully with dual diagnosis treatment, both conditions should be treated simultaneously in a drug rehab or addiction treatment program. Research also shows that by focusing and providing treatment on just one diagnosis of a dual diagnosis, it does not ensure that the other will disappear.

How often do people with drug addiction or substance abuse also experience a co-occurring mental health problem (dual diagnosis)?

Our Florida dual diagnosis treatment center has discovered findings of reports published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) that state:

• Roughly 50 percent of individuals with mental disorders are affected by substance abuse.
• Thirty-seven percent of people suffering from alcohol abuse and 53 percent of those people suffering from drug addictions also have at least one serious mental illness.
• Of all people diagnosed as mentally ill, 29 percent abuse either alcohol or drugs.

What are the consequences of co-existing mental illness and drug addiction / alcoholism (dual diagnosis)?

Persons with a dual diagnosis have a statistically greater propensity for violence, medication noncompliance, and failure to respond to addiction treatment than individuals with just drug addiction or a mental illness. Furthermore, those with a dual diagnosis demonstrate poorer functioning skills, are a a greater risk for relapse and are more prone to physical illness than those with an addiction or alcoholism.

Socially, those with a dual diagnosis have trouble developing and maintaining social relationships and find they are more easily accepted by people whose social activity is based on drug addiction and alcohol abuse. Many believe that an identity based on drug addiction or alcoholism is far better than one based on mental illness.

It has also been found that those persons suffering from a dual diagnosis are likely to be incarcerated at one time or another. An estimated, 26% of jail and prison inmates are estimated to have mental and substance abuse disorders (dual diagnosis).

The Florida Dual Diagnosis Treatment Process

Our Florida dual diagnosis treatment center's effective dual diagnosis treatment begins with the recognition that both conditions exist and can be treated effectively. Treatment for dual diagnosis generally begins in detox, which is a setting generally in a drug rehab or alcohol rehab, where any symptoms associated with withdrawal from addictive substances are managed. While in detox, medications may be dispensed to address the mental health component of dual diagnosis. If the symptoms are mild, many drug rehabs will wait until detox is complete to address the mental health component. In either case, detox is the first step.

Therapists in addiction treatment programs or alcohol rehab should recognize that denial is an inherent part of the problem. Being an addict or alcoholic is one thing, but being mentally ill is something altogether different. Patients with a dual diagnosis have to proceed at their own pace in addiction treatment. The most important thing to note is that the drug addiction or alcohol abuse needs to be treated simultaneously with the mental health disorder and an effective addiction treatment plan be developed to prevent relapse. As far as drug rehab or addiction treatment goes, it is the same for the person with a dual diagnosis as those with a single problem, with the exception of some specialty groups pertaining to medication management and relapse prevention.

Every patient completing addiction treatment, drug rehab or alcohol rehab at Stepping Stone has an effective relapse prevention plan developed for them which to prevent relapse. This may include referral to an outpatient program, psychiatrist for medication management, halfway house, family therapist or a specialty addiction treatment provider.

For additional information pertaining Stepping Stone's nationally recognized alcohol treatment program, please refer to the clinical services menu or call us directly at 1-800-237-3150.