Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Wilmington, NC

Dual diagnosis conditions are an important issue in drug treatment. Many rehab patients dealing with drug abuse and dependency issues are also suffering from mental health problems. Drug rehab centers deal with a wide range of mental health and addiction issues.

There are a number of therapies and pharmaceutical solutions that can be used to treat the conditions patients are dealing with. It is important for people who have co-occurring conditions to find a treatment center that can address all of their issues.

To find various effective rehabilitation programs for a dual diagnosis, call Drug Treatment Centers Wilmington NC at (877) 804-1531. Let them find you the right facility that meets your specific needs.

What is a Dual Diagnosis?

Dual diagnosis is defined as the condition of suffering from both mental health and substance abuse problems, with this diagnosis often used interchangeably with the term "co-occurring disorders."

Dual diagnosis is somewhat of an envelope term, referring both to broad relationships between conditions and specific inter-related disorders. According to the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC), however, any patient can have a dual diagnosis, while only patients being treated for an addictive disorder can have a co-occurring disorder.

Mental Health Disorders and Addiction

The links between mental health and substance abuse disorders are both complex and widespread.

The USA National Survey on Drug Use and Health recently analyzed the relationship between substance abuse and mental health, with 17.5 percent of all adults with a mental illness found to have a co-occurring substance abuse problem. Some of the more common dual diagnosis connections include alcoholism and depression, anxiety disorders and prescription opiates, and PTSD and alcohol.

Theories of Dual Diagnosis

The links between substance abuse and mental health disorders are often complicated, with medical professionals having to differentiate between pre-existing conditions and substance induced conditions. For example, while extended long-term drug use can often lead to mental health problems down the road, existing mental health issues may also lead to drug abuse.

Before treating patients with a dual diagnosis and possibly going through the process of drug withdrawal, medical staff have to clearly differentiate between pre-existing or induced conditions.

There are a number of theories that attempt to explain the prevalence of dual diagnosis in the community, including the causality theory, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, past exposure, the self-medication theory, and the super-sensitivity theory.

Each of these models attempts to understand the origins of dual diagnosis, with different drug treatment options available depending on the individual and the nature of the disorder.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Treating dual diagnosis disorders can be difficult, due mostly to the differentiation problems inherent in diagnosis.

Only a small proportion of people with a dual diagnosis disorder will receive treatment for both problems, with institutional problems also preventing people from getting the right kind of help. For example, people with existing mental health disorders may be unable to access treatment in substance abuse centers, and people with known drug issues may not be welcome at some mental health centers.

Integrated addiction treatment is the ultimate goal for all dual diagnosis patients, with a number of drug rehab centers able to provide complete care for their clients. It is important to seek help early if you or anyone you know is suffering from any of these issues, in order to get help before other disorders develop.

Mental health professionals are available at rehab centers to help deal with all aspects of dual diagnosis treatment, from detoxification and medical treatment through to therapy and relapse prevention. To find available numerous treatment centers near you, call Drug Treatment Centers Wilmington NC at (877) 804-1531.