Dual Diagnosis Essay

A statistical piece of information that was interesting is that how the number of mental disorders increases as the number of substance abuse disorders increases as well. Services, U.D. (2005) states the likelihood of mental disorders rises alongside with substance abuse dependencies. With the rise of both abuses at the same time, it complicates treatment for the mental disorder patients that have drug use however, multiple drugs is normal for those who are substance abusers (Services, U.D., 2005). The reason this information is found to be interesting is because with the two disorders rising at the same level, it appears that the challenges will be harder and more co-occurring disorder patients are going to need help with their issues. As a counselor, one must be dually competent to treat these clients or have staff available to treat the clients who have co-occurring disorders to ensure an effective outcome.

1. Define dual diagnosis. They have a diagnosis mental disorder and a substance dependency disorder.

According to the American Psychiatric Association chronic drug abuse may occur together with any mental illness that may include some of the following disorders. “Some common serious mental disorders associated with chronic drug abuse include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, manic depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, and antisocial personality disorder” (Center, 2004). Some of these disorders carry with them an increased risk of drug abuse. Another example of a drug that can cause a mental disorder, is MDMA (3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) which is commonly known as ecstasy. It produces long term deficits in serotonin function in the brain, leading to mental disorders such as depression and anxiety.

Treatment for polydrug users can be complicated. Many polydrug users, also have some mental health issues as well. Generally, polydrug users have more serve clinical records than single drug users. One because they have more problems to access and treat, and also many of them are also treating their mental illness as well. This can pose a challenge for drug treatment

What dual diagnosed means is that an individual has both a mental illness and is using substance/alcohol. Dual diagnosed is broad because it can mean that someone can be diagnosed with schizophrenia and alcohol, diagnosed with bipolar and heroin, or diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder and cocaine. It does not matter what their diagnosis and usage is. If the individual is using and has a mental illness, they are considered dual diagnosed also known as Mentally Ill Chemical Abusers (MICA).

“A Dual diagnosis is known when someone experiences a mental illness and a substance abuse problem

In my opinion, having a mental illness, including having substance abuse as a coping mechanism is not healthy. When a culprit or a victim do not seek any professional guidance, self-medicating will be dangerous. In fact, self-medicating usually leads to addiction and self-destruction which can occur amidst an overdose or death. A numerous of individuals among mental health issues assume that self-medicating is a better alternative instead of receiving professional help. Meanwhile, perpetrators also victims are in contradiction of having a mental illness.

In my opinion, individuals with a mental illness, including having substance abuse as a coping mechanism is not healthy. When a culprit or a victim do not seek any professional guidance, self-medicating will be dangerous. In fact, self-medicating usually leads to addiction and self-destruction which can occur amidst an overdose or death. A numerous of individuals among mental health issues assume that self-medicating is a better alternative instead of receiving professional help. Meanwhile, perpetrators also victims are in contradiction of having a mental illness.

Drug addiction, is not generally considered a mental health disorder, even though some consider it a shortcoming. The facts have shown that drug addiction has both physical and psychological dimensions. The body craves the effects that the drugs have on the brain. Some people with addictions develop later on severe depression or anxiety. On the other hand, some people that are bipolar or have a psychological issue utilize drugs to try to attain an equilibrium. The lines between the two are often blurry.

In fact, drug addition as one whole is called an addiction; this does not prove that any one of these drugs is an illness. National Institute on Drug Abuse and Addiction (NIDA), defines addiction basically as changes to the brain structure because of drug use; however, “[t]here are three major ways in which this case for the disease model falls apart: the changes in the brain which they show us are not abnormal at all; people change their behavior IN SPITE OF the fact that their brain has changed in response to repeated substance use; [and] there is no evidence that the behavior of addicts is compulsive, [or involuntary]” (Addiction is not a Brain Disease). These facts speak for themselves; addiction is a choice, not a mental

On the other hand, addressing this issue as a disease may have some drawbacks such as, stigmatization. Since, diagnose is a type of label leading to stigmatization problem in the society. Furthermore, especially, stigma can have a negative impact on the client’s upcoming treatment and may aggravate the situation. In fact, addiction is not only biological problem, but also sociological, psychological, spiritual and even

The American Psychological Association defines a mental illness as a health condition that involves changes in thinking, emotion, and/or behavior and is often associated with distress or problems functioning in social, work, or family settings (https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/what-is-mental-illness). Substance abuse falls under this category for how is alters the addicts brain and changes the way they function on a day to day basis. Addiction changes the brain and upsets the normal hierarchy of needs--Maslow’s triangle no longer matters. Maslow's Hierarchy, commonly referred to as Maslow's Triangle because of its shape, is a theory of psychology that is demonstrated in a five step model. The base being basic necessities such as food, water, and warmth, the second step is security and safety, third is belongingness and love, fourth is self esteem, and the final tier is self actualization (https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html). Addiction forces those to bypass their basic needs. Addicts will seek out and do anything for drugs regardless of the conditions they live in, how it will affect their social and work relationships, or even if it

The use of controlled substances, also known as recreational drugs, is a very common and popular pastime for many. Its prevalence is difficult to measure, since the only reliable method of gathering data on this fact is self-reported usage, and people are unlikely to report their use of an illicit substance, even if their anonymity is protected. Latent mental illnesses in some can be exacerbated by the use of recreational drugs, especially hallucinogenic

According to the NIH (national institute of drug abuse) “prescription and over the counter drugs (OTC) are commonly abused by Americans 14 years old and older” (NIH). Most medications prescribed by doctors have a mind altering effect, furthermore becoming addicted if taken for other reasons than what the drug was intended and or prescribed to do. The most common abused drugs are opioid pain relievers, stimulants for treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and central nervous system (CNS) depressants for relieving anxiety. The most commonly abused OTC drugs are cough and cold medicines. ("National Institute on Drug Abuse”).

Persons who suffer from untreated and/or undiagnosed mental illness are prone to turn to substance abuse in their attempts to self-medicate. Due to the mood-altering effects of substances, those who may experience anxiety, depression, and psychotic symptoms, tend to find temporary relief from such symptoms in their drug usage, however the adverse effects