Alcohol Abuse Advice

When Drug Abuse Gets Complex Because of Mental Health Disorders

Having one of many mental health disorders along with a drug abuse problem makes dealing with either one that much more complicated.  It is hard enough when the individual with the disease has to deal with alcohol or drug abuse by itself.  Add to that anxiety, depression or a bi-polar disorder and the only thing that can truly help is a dual diagnosis treatment.  Getting traditional drug rehabilitation just will not suffice when mental health disorders are now part of the prognosis.  Not only does the person have to overcome one of the strongest physical dependencies that exists, but symptoms of a mental illness are also raging.  The good news is that with the correct drug rehabilitation and dual diagnosis treatment, the individual can overcome both of these situations and gain control over their life.

Recovery can be elusive when dealing with both mental health disorders and drug abuse, but there is hope.  It takes discovering the perfect dual diagnosis treatment center and patience, compassion and understanding on the part of the family of the abuser.  The very best chance at full recovery during drug rehabilitation is when both issues are treated simultaneously.  And even with this dual diagnosis treatment, many times there are relapses.  This shouldn’t be discouraging.  Most drug abusers recover from relapses and become totally well again. 

Many people are curious as to which disease came first and wonder if one had an affect on causing the other.  That’s like asking what came first, the chicken or the egg.  The truth is that very often, drugs and/or alcohol are used when depression or any one of the many other mental health disorders manifest themselves.  In order to “numb” life and what is causing the depression, prescription drugs are often used as well as alcohol.  It all begins very innocently and soon, there is a physical dependence and the individual is in need of drug rehabilitation and dual diagnosis treatment.

Mental health disorders are caused by many factors, either alone or in a combination of others.  The environment, genetics and many other aspects play into the possibility of having a mental illness.  When a person is at risk for a disorder, drug and/or alcohol is even more desirable but unfortunately, that is exactly what could push the person beyond the point of no return.  Early and correct diagnosis of the dual problem is the best chance of full recovery.

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