Seek dual diagnosis rehabilitation for all conditions, not just one
Substance abuse can result in a mental illness and a mental illness can result in substance abuse. Either disorder can develop first. When an underlying condition triggers another and results in co-occurring conditions, this is known as a dual diagnosis. When someone is struggling with this problem it is often the best decision to seek help from dual diagnosis treatment centers to make sure everything is addressed properly.
A telltale sign of a dual diagnosis includes relapsing from treatment over and over again. An underlying mental illness can fuel a person’s addiction. Depression and anxiety can drive a person to drink or use substances to cope. Likewise, a substance addiction can lead to mental illness. For instance, binge drinking can result in depression, which is an example of a dual diagnosis that many people might not recognize. The high resulting from heroin use can cause mania, resulting in worsening bipolar disorder. Seeking treatment through dual diagnosis treatment centers for just one of these conditions can trap a person in an endless cycle. Self-medicating to cover up a mental illness can create addiction and overdose, potentially leading to death.