Inside (18 articles)
Are you self-medicating to cope with stress, anxiety or depression? If abstinence is impossible right now, consider a harm reduction approach to limit the consequences of your self-medication choices.
Concurrent substance abuse and psychiatric conditions are a common and problematic occurrence; and unfortunately, the treatment is tougher and takes a long time. But recovery is possible, and needs to happen. The stakes of a concurrent disorder are too great, and both conditions tend to exacerbate the severity of the other. With appropriate treatment, and therapy and medications compliance; sober living and psychiatric symptoms remission is probable...but the first step is always to stop the abuse.
The use of anti depressants in drug treatment is primarily in response to depressive episodes that may have preceded and influenced abuse, or may have been caused or worsened through the cerebral effects of abuse. Ideally, all that is required to better depressive symptoms is a cessation of use, but for some people, and for some drug withdrawals, the use of anti depressants in drug treatment offers real benefit.
A history of drug or alcohol abuse greatly increases the likelihood of mental illness, and mental illness greatly increases the risks of substance abuse. Learn the facts.
Drug treatment for ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) patients requires an understanding of the symptoms complications induced by the dual diagnosis of ADHD and drug or alcohol abuse, and an understanding of appropriate pharmacological interventions suitable to this group of dual diagnosis patients.
The 4 quadrant model provides a framework to help you understand what types of co-occurring disorder treatment you need most.
Pragmatic and in-depth approaches are what it takes to overcome panic attacks.
Being passive in treatment yields poor results. You'll do better by learning how the process works and taking control of your treatment.
Psychosis: it affects 3%, but if you spot and treat it in the pre-illness phase you can stop the symptoms before they even get started. Learn the warning signs of the prodromal phase.
People with co-occurring disorders need treatment which integrates substance abuse and mental health therapies at the same time. Read on to learn more about 8 elements of effective co-occurring disorder treatment programs.
Don’t try chasing away those winter blahs with a few drinks to lift your spirits, you may be suffering from undiagnosed Seasonal Affective Disorder and by using alcohol as self medication you are greatly upping your risk of a substance abuse problem.
About half of all ADD/ADHD patients will suffer an addiction to drugs or alcohol at some point. Learn why ADD/ADHD increases the risks for substance abuse, and more importantly, learn what's uniquely needed for effective ADD/ADHD and addiction treatment.
Hope is vital. Without hope, family gives up and the dual diagnosis addict lose necessary and beneficial support. Learn why treatment works, and why you have to keep hope alive!
All of us benefit from healthier lifestyle habits, but those feel-good benefits are exaggerated beautifully for those suffering a mental disorder. Get enough rest, eat well and get some exercise; it makes a big difference.
With an increasing pop-culture awareness of mental health conditions there is a tendency for individuals or families to attempt a self diagnosis, and even to take treatment steps based in this self diagnosis. Don't do it!
Treat the disease, not the symptoms. Dual diagnosis addicts use manipulation as a way to continue to drink or drug, and family can only influence change through tackling the real root of the problem, and by being tough...tough love
Bi-polar sufferers who also abuse drugs or alcohol are 20 times more likely to commit suicide than the general population. This fact alone compels immediate treatment for anyone with a dual diagnosis of bi-polar and addiction. Don't wait to get help.
PTSD and substance abuse go hand in hand, and since each condition exacerbates the severity of the other, alcohol or drugs are never a good idea. Get help at a facility that combines effective treatments for PTSD and substance abuse, and turn the corner to a brighter tomorrow.