Addiction to drugs and/or alcohol is often never an independent disorder. It is mainly accompanied by a mental health condition. Such an occurrence of multiple health issues is termed a dual diagnosis in the field of addiction recovery.
Dual diagnosis helps you to identify substance use disorders and underlying mental health conditions. The treatment is then followed after knowing the exact mental health condition. Here’s more about dual diagnosis and its treatment.
Addiction as a Cause of Dual Diagnosis
Dual diagnosis can happen in two ways. One of those is addiction. The issue begins when you start to consume substances like drugs and/or alcohol for recreational purposes. This habit continues to create a dependency on the substance.
Now, this addiction to substances does not come alone. It brings along some side effects, one of which is mental illnesses. These illnesses could be any like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, etc. Once these seep deep inside your system, it becomes difficult to control them. This is how addiction leads to dual diagnosis.
Mental Health Condition as a Cause of Dual Diagnosis
The other cause behind dual diagnosis is pre-existing mental health issue. This can be a condition like depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, PTSD, ADHD, and many more. When these conditions remain unaddressed, you look for external support to attain comfort. This support is often provided by substances.
We all know that drugs and alcohol give you a sense of utter joy and happiness. This effect is what leads you to consume these substances as they can easily mask the pain of mental illnesses. The habit of consuming substances to hide the pain continues in a loop. Soon you find yourself addicted to the substances.
This is how a pre-existing mental health condition causes dual diagnosis.
Other Causes of Dual Diagnosis
Dual diagnosis can be caused due to various reasons such as:
- Genetics and biological build up that makes you an easy target for addiction to take over
- A family history of addiction or mental illnesses
- Pre-mature birth
- Early exposure to toxins like alcohol or other presrciption drugs
Treating Dual Diagnosis
Such a condition might seem difficult to treat but it is not impossible. You can visit a rehab center like Skyward Treatment in Houston, Texas for a thorough treatment. The treatment here involves multiple steps and expert supervision. Contact us now for more details.