Dual Diagnosis Lancaster

A dual diagnosis is the existence of a drug addiction and a mental health disorder. As recently as the 1990s, dual diagnosis was considered to be two distinctive conditions, and they were treated separately. In fact, the mental health care community insisted that anyone who suffered from co-occurring conditions should achieve sobriety before seeking treatment for any mental disorders they might have. Unfortunately, this led to the exclusion of people who were suffering with a dual diagnosis, leaving many of them undiagnosed and untreated.

Understanding Mental Health Disorders and Addiction

In order to qualify as a dual diagnosis, the existing mental disorder must be listed in the Diagnostics and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Some of the most common mental disorders that are part of dual diagnoses are:

Schizophrenia
Bipolar disorder
Anxiety disorder
Eating disorders
Depression
Obsessive compulsive disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder

Either condition, the addiction or the mental disorder, can be the cause of the existence of the other. The professionals at Drug treatment Centers Lancaster can guide you through every step of the recovery process. Give us a call today at 570-285-8077.

A New Vision

Over the last 15 years, there has been a wealth of data compiled that created a significant amount of illumination concerning dual diagnosis. This data has revealed that there is a direct correlation between the existence of mental disorders and drug addiction. This new data has forced the mental health industry to rethink their approach of sequential treatment for these two conditions.

Dual diagnosis is now treated as part of a continuum, and a significant amount of emphasis is placed on considering the manner in which the two existing conditions impact one another. The shift in approaches has necessitated cross training in both industries, and it also served to create an environment in which clinicians from the drug addiction treatment community and health care professionals have come together to merge the most successful drug treatment modalities with the most proficient methods for engaging mental disorders.

The Importance of Dual Diagnosis Treatment

According to the Office of Applied Studies, only 12 percent of the approximately four million people who are suffering with a dual diagnosis have received treatment for both conditions. This is an extremely important piece of data when the dynamic of dual diagnosis is considered. The co-occurring conditions of drug addiction and mental disorders function on an integrated dynamic, meaning that the best way to treat them is through an integrated process. When both conditions are not treated simultaneously, the results are far from stellar; however, when both conditions are treated as co-existing conditions that are directly related, the results are much better.

The Makings of an Effective Treatment Program

There are a number of steps that must be followed in order to increase the chance for success in treating a dual diagnosis, including:

A supportive approach to direct therapy that focuses on building the self-esteem, self-image and self-confidence of the individual.
Parallel treatment of the drug addiction and the mental disorder by members of an experienced and highly-trained super team.
The integration of psychotherapeutic medications such as anti-anxiety and antidepressants to treat both conditions.
An inclusive treatment therapy in which the spouse, family and loved ones of the individual are invited to directly participate in the recovery process.

Anyone who believes that they may be suffering from a dual diagnosis should immediately contact a professional that has the capacity to officially diagnose the condition and initiate treatment. The medical and mental health professionals at Drug Treatment Centers Lancaster can help you manage and treat your substance dependence effectively and for the long-term. Call us today at 570-285-8077.