Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Tallahassee FL (877) 804-1531

Dual diagnosis, also called co-occurring disorders, is the co-occurrence of a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder. A wide range of dual diagnosis scenarios are possible, from loose relationships between conditions to specific inter-related disorders. The use of a single term to define a broad range of relationships has met criticism in recent times, with some experts saying it's inappropriate to label all dual diagnosis patients with the same condition. People suffering from a dual diagnosis face a number of challenges, with co-occurring disorders often difficult to diagnose and treat.

Diagnosing Co-Occurring Disorders

Before treating someone with a dual diagnosis, doctors will try to differentiate between a pre-existing mental health problem and a substance-induced disorder. This distinction lies at the forefront of dual diagnosis research and treatment, with lines of causality not clear in many cases. For example, people with a depression disorder may attempt to self-medicate themselves with drugs or alcohol, a situation that may lead to further depression down the road. In another example, a drug addict may develop depression after years of drug abuse, with mental health problems developing directly from substance abuse. Drug treatment centers Tallahassee Florida can discuss your treatment options with you. To find out more , dial (877) 804-1531.

Depression and Alcoholism

There are clear links between depression and alcoholism, with depression driving people to drink and drinking also leading to depression. Nearly one-third of all people with a major depression disorder also have an alcohol problem, with women almost twice as likely as men to develop a drinking problem after being diagnosed with depression. While the short-term effects of alcohol can give people a sense of relief from their condition, long-term use is only likely to lead to more problems down the road. Alcohol is classified as a depressant, with heavy and continual drinking only likely to exaggerate the depressive effects over time.

Depression and Opioid Dependence

Both prescription and illicit opioids have been linked to depression, with the long-term use of drugs like heroin, morphine, oxycodone and codeine linked with an increase in depression disorders. Opioid drugs are commonly taken for pain relief, with chronic pain patients three times more likely to use prescription opioids if they have a history of depression. The connections between mental health and substance abuse are hard to define, with opioid addicts likely to get depressed more often and patients diagnosed with depression also likely to self-medicate with opioid drugs. The length of time someone has been using pain relief medication is also likely to influence depression rates, with patients who use opioids for more than six months at a much greater risk of developing depression.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

There are four types of treatment regularly used for co-occurring disorders: primary, sequential, parallel, and integrated. Primary treatment deals exclusively with the primary disorder. Sequential treatment also treats the secondary disorder, but only once the primary disorder has been evaluated and stabilized. Parallel treatment deals with both conditions at the same time, either at a single facility or between two facilities. Integrated treatment makes no distinction between primary and secondary disorders, with a single program used to treat the whole condition.

At drug treatment centers Tallahassee, knowledgeable professionals are standing by to take your call and discuss your treatment options. Call today at (877) 804-1531 and get started on living a new, healthy and drug-free life.