Dual Diagnosis

What is a Dual Diagnosis?

Dual diagnosis can best be described as the co-existence of a mental illness with drug addiction or alcoholism. Examples of typical mental illnesses might be depression, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, anxiety disorder or attention deficit disorder.

If you need a dual diagnosis treatment center, call us directly at 1-800-237-3150. Help is available 24 hours a day and all calls are confidential

Is Dual Diagnosis Common?

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)

• Roughly fifty percent (50%)of individuals with mental disorders are affected by substance abuse.
• Thirty-seven percent (37%) of people suffering from alcohol abuse and fifty-three percent (53%)of those people suffering from drug addictions also have at least one serious mental illness.
• Of all people diagnosed as mentally ill, twenty-nine percent (29%) abuse either alcohol or drugs.

The Consequences of a Dual Diagnosis

When compared to those individuals who have either an addiction or mental illness, those with a dual diagnosis often experience the following:

• A greater propensity for violence
• Medication noncompliance
• Failure to respond to addiction treatment
• Poorer functioning skills
• Greater risk for relapse
• More prone to physical illness
• Trouble developing and maintaining social relationships

It has also been found that those persons suffering from a dual diagnosis are likely to be incarcerated at one time or another. An estimated, twenty-six percent (26%) of jail and prison inmates are estimated to have mental and substance abuse disorders (dual diagnosis).

Stepping Stone's Florida Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center Process

Our Florida dual diagnosis treatment center is aware of research that indicates that in order to avoid relapse and recover fully, both conditions should be treated simultaneously in a drug rehab or addiction treatment program.

Our Florida dual diagnosis treatment center's effective program begins with the recognition that both conditions exist and can be treated effectively.

Treatment for dual diagnosis generally includes:

• Detox - Where any symptoms associated with withdrawal from addictive substances are managed.
• Medication Management -While in detox, medications may be dispensed to address the mental health component of dual diagnosis.
• If the symptoms are mild, addressing the mental health component may come after detox

Our therapists recognize that denial is an inherent part of the problem. Being an addict or alcoholic is one thing, but being mentally ill is something altogether different. Patients with a dual diagnosis have to proceed at their own pace in addiction treatment. At Stepping Stone we understand the importance of simultaneously treating both the drug addiction or alcohol abuse in conjunction with the mental health disorder. This addiction treatment plan must be developed to help prevent relapse.

For additional information pertaining Stepping Stone's nationally recognized dual diagnosis treatment program, please refer to the clinical services menu or call us directly at 1-800-237-3150. Help is available 24 hours a day and all calls are confidential.