Dual Diagnosis Conditions With Drug And Alcohol Addiction
Drug and alcohol addicts frequently suffer from other conditions that either predate or result from the drug abuse. These conditions may be physical, but far more commonly these conditions are mental health issues. The presence of related conditions is referred to as “co-morbid” disorders. Some studies have suggested that many drug and alcohol addicts became addicts as a result of self medicating for their pre-existing mental health conditions. At the Milestones Ranch in Malibu, the staff treats the co-morbid emotional disorders in addition to the drug and alcohol addiction.
Anxiety is a common dual diagnosis in drug and alcohol addict. Anxiety provokes the instinctive urge to produce calm by any means necessary, and a patient that is not being treated for their anxiety or not being treated adequately for anxiety, may well turn to alcohol or other depressive drugs to solve that issue.
Depression and other mood disorders are also common with drug and alcohol abuse patients. The use of alcohol or drugs is frequently related to an attempt on the part of the patient to improve their mood. As the source of depression is chemical, the treatment is also chemical. These patients frequently require prescription anti-depressant medication as a way to keep them from continuing to keep self-medicating.
Attention deficit issues can pre-date drug and alcohol issues, or they can be caused by excessive drug and alcohol use. The lack of focus common to attention deficit patients can make them more susceptible the urge to take drugs and alcohol. Learning to handle attention deficit in a healthy way can help prevent future drug and alcohol issues.
Many patients with drug issues suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder. Obsessive compulsive disorder takes many forms, and the desire to avoid these compulsions can lead patients to attempt to medicate with excessive drug and alcohol consumption.
The use of drug and alcohol in excess is also associated with sexual disorders. Although drug and alcohol abuse can cause sexual dysfunction, a more common co-morbid disorder is sexual addiction.
One of the most common gateways to drug addiction is prescription drug abuse. For those that suffer from a long-term medical issue that creates chronic pain, managing that pain creates a situation where a patient takes more and more medication, eventually finding themselves addicted.
In order to effectively treat drug and alcohol addiction, the patient must also have his dual diagnoses treated. The background of mental health issues can help provide more complete understanding of the patient by their doctors and therapists.
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