Monday, September 1, 2008

Dual Diagnosis


A recent report from the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration revealed that 59% of people with drug addiction problems also suffer a mental illness. To put it simply, substance abusers are more likely to be victims of a psychological disorder as well. There is a need for specialized treatment programs that can address both issues, otherwise known as dual diagnosis.

Dual diagnosis is a term used to describe the presence of one or more disorders apart from a primary disease already identified. Sometimes, dual disorder is also called co-occurring disorder or co-morbidity.

Dual diagnosis is a serious health concern that needs to be addressed properly. Emphasis should be given that what needs to be treated is not only substance abuse. Persons suffering from co-occurring disorders need drug addiction treatment and rehabilitation as well as mental health disorder treatment.

Dual diagnosis treatment is available in select California rehabilitation centers. These facilities have skilled health professionals trained to provide medical treatment to patients with co-occurring disorder. Treatment generally kicks off with drug detox to cleanse the patient's body from traces of substances. Patients not only receive medical treatment on the process. Instead, they are also guided and educated throughout their stay in the residential drug treatment facility.

No comments: