Post by lucie on Jun 7, 2016 7:25:26 GMT
Dual diagnosis is refers to when an individual is affected by both mental illness and substance use issues. Both mental illness and substance use interact to make each diagnosis worse. Recovery process from mental illness is much more challenging for people with Dual Diagnosis, and the issues faced by their families and carers can be more complex and confusing than mental illness alone. Dependence issues compounded with mental illness symptoms can result in overbearing behaviour, reduces concern for consequences of behaviour and reduced connections with society. The areas of life that is often affect is physical or psychological health, issues with relationships, maintaining a stable accommodation, finances, employment or education and issues associated with civil or criminal law.
Research has recently determine that people with mental illness use drug and alcohol for the same reason as other people- to feel better or different, relax, have fun and be pert of a group. They also use drug and alcohol generally for there perceived benefits, other reasons include curiosity or experimentation; to relief stress or pain, cope with problems/illness. The immediate effect of drugs and alcohol usually provides relief from the positive symptoms of mental illness such as paranoia or hearing voices. However, the withdrawal from the drug or alcohol will make these symptoms worse. Individuals with a Dual Diagnosis may readily associate the reduction of the symptoms with the drug use, but less readily associate the increase in severity of the symptoms with the withdrawal.
Withdrawal effects need to be taken to account when a person is admitted to my service. The more information the clinical services have the better. Where possible the treating team should consult with a Dual Diagnosis specialist. Monitoring risk of suicide and self-harm is extremely important as the risk is higher than individuals with single diagnosis. There is no single treatment option that works for a Dual Diagnosis. In most cases, for the treatment to be effective the person may need to stop using alcohol and drug. Avoiding any potential triggers when a person with Dual Diagnosis is admitted is essential. For example law stimulus environment may be preferred for treatment. Some intervention that is used to help include; Methadone is the substitute drug for heroin and morphine addiction, whereas Opioids withdraws is managed by administering Suboxone. Other intervention may include behavioural therapy and support groups as well as education about Dual Diagnosis to professionals working within the mental health services as well as families and the society may contribute to the treatment of Dual Diagnosis.