Dual Diagnosis, Drug Addiction, Alcoholism and Their Similarities

There are many similarities between drug addiction, alcoholism and a mental health disorder. While the combination of a drug addiction or alcohol addiction and a mental health disorder is called a dual diagnosis, they should all be treated simultaneously in a drug rehab, alcohol rehab or dual diagnosis treatment program.

1. Drug addiction, alcoholism and mental health disorders are physiological diseases with strong genetic and hereditary components.

2. Drug addiction, alcoholism and mental health disorders are physical/mental/spiritual diseases.

3. Drug addiction, alcoholism and mental health disorders if left untreated are progressive, chronic, incurable, and potentially fatal.

4. Denial of the disease of drug addiction, alcoholism and mental health disorders and noncompliance with attempts at addiction treatment, drug rehab or dual diagnosis treatment are symptoms of the disorder.

5. Drug addiction, alcoholism and mental health disorders manifest loss of control in behavior, thought, and emotions.

6. Drug addiction, alcoholism and mental health disorders effect the whole family.

7. Growing powerlessness and unmanageability over drug addiction, alcoholism or mental illness’s lead to feelings of guilt, shame, depression, and despair.

8. Drug addiction, alcoholism and mental health disorders are diseases of vulnerability and isolation.

9. Both the primary symptoms of each disease AND loss of control in behavior/thought/emotion are reversible with addiction treatment or dual diagnosis treatment.

10. Recovery consists of: Stabilization of the acute disease Rehabilitation of body, mind, and spirit

11. The risk of relapse in either disease is always high, and relapse in drug addiction or alcoholism will inevitably trigger a relapse in the mental health disorder. 12. The only hope for life-long recovery lies in working our Recovery Program(s): ONE DAY AT A TIME

Jonathan Huttner is a principal in Lakeview Health Systems, a drug rehab program specializing in the treatment of dual diagnosis. Lakeview is also a gay friendly alcohol rehab and gay friendly addiction treatment program.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jonathan_Huttner

Please Add Our Website To Your Favorite Bookmarks!

According to substance abuse research, for every dollar that is spent on drug and alcohol recovery, the United States economy saves seven dollars in healthcare and other related costs to society. Perhaps the point here is this: by adopting a long-term perspective and developing and implementing drug and alcohol recovery programs in our schools, in our social service agencies, and in our places of employment, perhaps the current financial drain on our society caused by drug and alcohol abuse can be significantly reduced. Perhaps more importantly, the incalculable costs of lost lives due to drug and alcohol abuse will be drastically reduced as fewer people lose their lives to drinking and drug abuse problems.

_____________________________________