Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Dual diagnosis treatment is a cohesive intervention process for individuals with co-occurring mental disorders and substance addictions. It is a fairly new concept in addiction care that has already made a significant difference in the lives of many individuals simultaneously battling these primary conditions. This care model has also been shown to significantly reduce recidivism rates, homelessness and the number of people who resume drug use after treatment.

Although addiction is often seen as a moral failure rather than a medical condition, as defined by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), drug addiction is a mental disorder. According to researchers, behaviors that stem from drug-induced changes in brain structure that cause uncontrollable cravings and compulsive consumption of drugs, is as complex a brain disease with the potential to cause the same devastating consequences as any other mental illness such as depression and schizophrenia.

Population surveys also indicate a high comorbidity rate between mental illness and addiction. Compared to people with only one of these conditions, dual diagnosis patients typically experience more adverse effect such as frequent relapse events, hospitalization, loss of income, homelessness, HIV and Hepatitis C infection, to name a few.

Until the 1990s comorbidities were traditionally treated as separate conditions. According to a survey conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), at least nine million people across the nation struggle with co-occurring disorders. Of these, approximately 14% will actually receive dual diagnosis treatment or care for both conditions simultaneously.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Detoxification is the first step in addressing addiction that also facilitate accurate diagnostic assessments relative to the presence of a mental disorder. The treatment regimen for people with comorbidities typically integrate multiple modalities such as Psychopharmacology, Psychotherapy and behavioral management among others. Dual diagnosis treatment is a complex process that should be administered by highly qualified medical personnel. Most dual diagnosis programs provide:

• Administration of parallel treatment for mental illness and addiction
• Use of federally approved psychotherapeutic medications
• Behavioral and motivational therapy
• Ongoing evaluation to monitor pharmacological support.

Most dual diagnosis treatment programs commence with a period of inpatient care or Inpatient hospitalization.

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