Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Coral Springs FL (877) 804-1531

Dual diagnosis is the co-occurrence of a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder. Dual diagnosis is a broad term used to define a wide range of conditions, including both linear and complex bi-directional relationships. A wide array of possible mental health and addiction interactions are possible, with common examples including depression and prescription opioid abuse, psychosis and methamphetamine abuse, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcoholism.

Dual diagnosis cases require specialized treatment and support, with multiple facilities sometimes used to provide comprehensive treatment. If you are seeking treatment help, call Alcohol Treatment Centers Coral Springs at (877) 804-1531 today and we can point you in the right direction in your search for treatment centers.

What Is Dual Diagnosis Treatment?

Dual diagnosis treatment in Coral Springs is often referred to as co-occurring disorders, even though there is a difference between these two classifications. For someone to be diagnosed with a co-occurring disorder, the primary problem has to be related to substance use. For someone to be diagnosed with co-occurring disorders, the primary problem can be related to either substance use or mental health.

In many cases, it's difficult to diagnose a primary disorder at all, with clear lines of causality between conditions often unclear. Before treating co-occurring disorders cases, doctors and clinicians will attempt to differentiate between pre-existing mental conditions and substance induced conditions, with treatment plans often dependent on this distinction.

Depression and Alcoholism

Multiple links have been discovered between depression disorders and alcoholism, with depressed people drinking as a form of self-medication and existing alcoholics more likely to become depressed over time. While having a few drinks might seem like a good way to "drown your sorrows" and experience temporary relief from a depressive condition, it is only likely to lead to further depression down the road.

Alcohol is classified as a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, along with benzodiazepines, barbiturates and opioids. The ongoing consumption of alcohol does cause physical depression, with mental depression also likely. Heavy drinking can also make antidepressant drugs less effective, with the cycle of depression and alcoholism often hard to break.

Alcoholics are also more likely to develop depression disorders, with patterns of abuse and dependence adversely affecting people on a physical, mental and social basis. The long-term and compulsive use of alcohol is likely to affect interpersonal relationships, financial security and work productivity, with people more likely to get depressed when facing negative life situations.

Alcohol dependence has also been associated with numerous health problems, with physical and mental issues possibly leading to depression over time. People with co-existing depression and alcohol problems often face difficulties with patient placement and diagnosis, with many people going untreated or receiving an inadequate level of care.

Anxiety Disorders and Addiction

Anxiety disorders are widely associated with addiction problems, with bi-directional relationships often existing between disorders. Anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder and social anxiety disorder, with symptoms including panic attacks and general anxiety.

People often abuse prescription medications as a way to self-medicate anxiety problems, with alcoholism and illicit drug abuse also possible. Benzodiazepine drugs like Valium, Xanax and Serax are widely prescribed to treat anxiety conditions, with these drugs also widely abused as a form of self-medication.

Addiction to benzodiazepines can creep up on people over time, with tolerance and physical dependence likely with long-term use. Existing drug users are also more likely to develop anxiety and panic-related conditions, especially with long-term addiction or during the withdrawal phase of drug treatment.

If you or anyone you know is suffering from co-existing mental health and substance use disorders, it's important to contact a specialized drug treatment or mental health clinic as soon as possible. Contact Alcohol Treatment Centers Coral Springs at (877) 804-1531 to receive the help you need searching for addiction treatment centers.