Dual Diagnosis in Elizabeth NJ

Dual diagnosis is a broad term used to describe the co-existence of a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder. Also known as co-occurring disorders, dual diagnosis describes an extremely wide variety of different conditions. Typical dual diagnosis scenarios include depression and alcoholism, anxiety disorders and benzodiazepine abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcoholism, and bipolar disorder and opioid dependence.

Get assistance searching for drug rehabs that offer dual diagnosis treatment today by calling Drug Treatment Centers Elizabeth at (877) 804-1531. We can help you learn more about options and help you search for rehab centers to choose from.

Dual Diagnosis Statistics

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, over 8.9 million people in the United States are living with co-occurring disorders. Despite this large number, only 7.4 percent of these people receive adequate levels of treatment for both conditions, with 55.8 percent receiving no treatment at all for either condition.

People living with a dual diagnosis often face difficulties receiving treatment, with many mental health centers unable to admit drug addicted patients and many drug rehab centers unable to treat people with mental health problems.

Patients face a number of challenges receiving the correct diagnosis and treatment for dual diagnosis conditions, with institutional problems regarding patient placement and social problems regarding acceptance and support.

While there are some facilities that specialize in dual diagnosis treatment, patients often face difficulty accessing dual diagnosis treatment services when they need them.

Alcohol and Other Psychiatric Disorders

Alcohol abuse and dependence have been linked with a number of psychiatric disorders, with co-morbidity between alcoholism and mental illness extremely likely in certain cases. According to the National Comorbidity Survey, alcoholics are two to three times more likely to have an anxiety disorder compared with non-alcoholics.

In a separate study performed by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, people with an alcohol use disorder are four times more likely to develop a major depressive episode than those without a history of alcohol dependence. Bipolar disorder and alcoholism also go together on a regular basis, with inherited traits possibly affecting brain chemistry and influencing both conditions.

Links have also been found between alcoholism and PTSD, with complex bi-directional relationships often existing between conditions.

Prescription Opioids and Depression

Prescription opioid drugs have been linked with depression disorders in a number of separate studies, with people who take prescription opioids more likely to develop depression over time.

In a study by the Journal of General Internal Medicine, people who took opioids for 90 days or more were found to increase their risk of developing a major depression disorder by 25 percent. Those who took opioids for 180 days or more were at a 53 percent greater risk of developing depression.

Other studies have shown the bi-directional nature of this relationship, with people experiencing existing depression problems also more likely to take opioids as a form of self-medication.

Behavioral Therapy for Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Behavioral therapy is highly useful in dual diagnosis treatment regimens, with common treatment modalities including cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational therapy, family therapy and relapse prevention.

Behavioral therapy teaches people to recognize the links between their thoughts, feelings and behavioral responses, with therapists helping patients to recognize triggers, avoid high risk situations and develop coping skills that support the recovery process.

This form of therapy can be especially useful for dual diagnosis patients, who may not have the ability to recognize these connections without external support. Behavioral therapy is available during many residential treatment programs, with some programs also initiated during aftercare and on an out-patient basis.