Professionals in the medical community commonly viewed drug addiction and mental illness as two completely different subjects. Recently things have started to change. As the knowledge of mental health issues and drug addiction becomes more well known scientists have found that they often go hand-in- hand. Some mental health issues are more commonly found to be part of drug addiction, such as depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. In situations like this, when someone is seeking help it’s very important that one seeks out help in a dual diagnosis treatment facility.

The phrase dual diagnosis is used to describe someone who suffers with both drug addiction and some type of mental illness. The relationship between drug addiction and mental health issues is a confusing one. Studies conducted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) state that “certain groups of people with mental illness are at increased risk of abusing drugs such as marijuana, opiates, cocaine, other stimulants, and alcohol.” Some of these groups include

• Veterans
• People in the bottom 20% of wealth in the US
• Males
• Those who have been previously diagnosed with a mental health issue

NAMI also states that nearly 1/3 of people with any type of mental illness and approximately 1/2 of people with severe mental illness are also hooked on either drugs or alcohol.

Finding all the inner similarities between mental illness and drug addiction can be a complicated process. Through years of studying and researching dual diagnosis NAMI has found out some pretty interesting things.

“Drugs and alcohol can be a form of self-medication. In such cases, people with mental illness may have untreated—or incompletely treated—conditions (such as anxiety or depression) that may “feel less painful” when the person is high on drugs or alcohol. Unfortunately, while drugs and alcohol may feel good in the moment, abuse of these substances doesn’t treat the underlying condition and—almost without exception—makes it worse.”

“Drugs and alcohol can worsen underlying mental illnesses. This can happen both during acute intoxication (e.g., a person with depression becomes suicidal in the context of drinking alcohol) and during withdrawal from a substance.”

“Drugs and alcohol can cause a person without mental illness to experience the onset of symptoms for the first time.”

So they share a lot of the same symptoms, but which ones are the most commonly shared?

• Loss of interest in most daily activities
• Restless or randomly filled with extra energy
• Erratic sleep schedule
• Feeling down and hopeless
• Lack of energy
• Sudden weight gain or loss
• Change in appetite

Obviously a lot of these symptoms depend on what one is struggling with mentally

There are many types of treatment options out there for people who suffer with co-occurring mental health issues and substance abuse problems. The best option will always be dual diagnosis treatment. The best ones out there will be JCO accredited as well. Always do proper research in situations like this, finding a true dual diagnosis program can be a hassle at times. The treatment center should offer up a happy medium on both ends of the spectrum. They should focus on the drug addiction and the mental health issues equally.

If you or someone you love is suffering and would be best helped in a dual diagnosis treatment center then call Recovery Society today 1-866-323-6590.