Mental Illness and Substance Abuse: What is Dual Diagnosis?

With one in four people affected by mental illness at some point in their lives, you’ve likely already dealt with mental illness in your personal life or known someone who has. Having a mental disorder is more common than many think and the taboo surrounding discussion on mental disorders often prevents many from seeking treatment.

Not only is mental illness one of the most common disorders, but most importantly, it can have a great impact on the lives of those who suffer from it in both direct and adjacently associated ways. One of the most common impacts of having a mental illness is the susceptibility of addiction and substance abuse.

Approximately 450 million people worldwide currently suffer from mental disorders and of those 450 million, roughly 50 percent of those are affected by substance abuse. This deadly combination of mental illness and substance abuse is often referred to as dual diagnosis.

What is Dual Diagnosis?

Dual diagnosis as defined by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (or NAMI for short) is “a term for when someone experiences a mental illness and a substance use disorder simultaneously.” Often times, people who suffer from a severe mental illness will turn to substances such as alcohol or medication abuse to self-medicate themselves. This disastrous combination often worsens the severity of the mental disorder causing an endless cycle of suffering.

How Can I Determine Dual Diagnosis?

The only way to determine whether you fall under the umbrella of dual diagnosis is to seek analysis from a doctor or specialist. There are, however, a few common symptoms to look out for if you think you or someone you know may have dual diagnosis.

Medical History of the Individual – First, one of the most important factors to consider is the medical history of the individual. Any previous determinations of mental health issues in the past or traumatic events that may have caused a mental disorder should be determined. Almost always, someone will suffer from either mental illness or addiction first, then pick up on the latter somewhere down the road.

Family History – Another red flag is the presence of mental illness, addiction, or both within the family. Having a history of mental illness within the family can lead to a genetic predisposition, and identifying this will help determine whether you or someone you know is susceptible to dual diagnosis.

Withdrawal from Others – Oftentimes, withdrawal from family and friends can be a sign that someone is struggling with a substance abuse problem. This disassociation only makes it more difficult to find help, as an individual loses their support group.

Extreme and Sudden Moods Changes – Mood changes can often be associated with substance abuse and mental illness. This instability of mood can seem sudden and unprovoked leading to dangerous situations.

There are a number of other symptoms to look out for including: engaging in risky behavior, the development of withdrawal symptoms, depression and thoughts of suicide, and many more. Symptoms of mental illness often vary greatly and there is no set number of symptoms that someone may or may not be showing. It’s important to always seek the help of a professional when attempting to determine a medical condition.

What are the Next Steps?

Once a dual diagnosis is determined the next step should always be to seek professional help. Dual diagnosis is most commonly treated with a mix of treatments that work together to help support the individual suffering from mental illness and substance abuse.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy and the use of cognitive-behavioral therapy is often used when treating those who suffer from dual diagnosis. One of the most common and effective ways this can help is through the use of a long term drug treatment program in conjunction with both individual and group therapy. These programs take advantage of utilizing a facility where patients can seclude themselves from the temptations of the outside world while seeking help and support from friends, family, and medical professionals available at the facility.

Medication

Medication has been found to greatly help with mental illness, especially for those who suffer from more than one condition. This medication should always be prescribed by a doctor and never as part of a self-treatment process.

Self-Help and Support

One of the most important factors in the success of dual diagnosis treatment is the support of friends and family members as well as the drive for self-help. Creating a support group will help when attempting to recover from substance abuse but the most important thing is that the individual wants to help themselves. Nobody can force someone to get better, it must be done through the use of self-motivation.

Final Thoughts

Mental illness and addiction is, unfortunately, more common than many think in our society and is something that many are afraid to talk about. The stigma behind mental health is something that needs to be conquered to treat the problem at its roots and it starts with you. Bear this in mind when you notice someone acting differently than usual or seem withdrawn from your social circle.

For more information, see the National Alliance on Mental Illness.