Dual Diagnosis Conditions And Treatment
Many people who suffer from drug and alcohol addiction also suffer from diagnosed mental health disorders. This are referred to as “co-morbid” disorders. Although at first it may be difficult to determine how much of the co-morbid emotional disturbances are a result of the drug and alcohol addiction, studies have shown that in many cases, drug and alcohol patients are attempting to self-treat their pre-existing emotional issues. At Milestones Ranch in Malibu, the staff treats both the addiction and the emotional disturbances.
Anxiety is a common dual diagnosis in drug and alcohol addict. Anxiety provokes the instinctive urge to produce calm by any means necessary, and a patient that is not being treated for their anxiety or not being treated adequately for anxiety, may well turn to alcohol or other depressive drugs to solve that issue.
Mood disorders, such as depression, are also likely diagnoses for patients in drug and alcohol programs. The ability to regulate mood is chemical, and many people who suffer from depression attempt to self-medicate by indulging in drugs and alcohol that improve their mood. Treating the underlying depression can help prevent future relapses on the part of the addict.
One of the issues that are more difficult to trace the origin of is attention deficit disorder and related issues. Although attention deficit disorders can pre-date the abuse of drug and alcohol, they can also be a result of drug and alcohol abuse. The urge to take drugs and alcohol is hard to resist for attention deficit patients.
Obsessive compulsive disorder is another common dual diagnosis disorder for drug and alcohol addiction patients. These patients may have turned to drugs and alcohol to resist the compulsive urges that plague them. Excessive drug and alcohol use itself may become part of their compulsive behavior.
Sexual disorders are also affiliated with drug and alcohol abuse. The most common sexual disorder seen in alcohol and drug patients is sexual addiction and compulsive sexual behavior, although the use of drugs and alcohol can result in sexual dysfunction.
Those who suffer from chronic pain frequently turn to drug and alcohol as a way to manage the pain. Alcohol and non-prescribed drugs can help mitigate the pain you feel when you have a condition that causes chronic pain. Another possibility is that people with chronic pain will begin taking too much of their prescribed pain medications and become addicted to them, which can lead to other addictions as well.
In order to effectively treat drug and alcohol addiction, the patient must also have his dual diagnoses treated. The background of mental health issues can help provide more complete understanding of the patient by their doctors and therapists.
Looking for more information about Milestones Ranch?
Mail this post
Tags: drug treatment center, Milestones Ranch, Milestones Ranch in Malibu, Milestones Ranch Malibu