Dual Diagnosis, Drug Addiction, Alcoholism and Their Similarities
by Bill Urell on
There are many similarities between drug addiction, alcoholism and a mental health disorder. While the combination of a drug addiction or alcohol addiction and a mental health disorder is called a dual diagnosis, they should all be treated simultaneously in a drug rehab, alcohol rehab or dual diagnosis treatment program.
By Jonathon Huttner
Below are the listed similarities:
1. Drug addiction, alcoholism and mental health disorders are physiological diseases with strong genetic and hereditary components.
2. Drug addiction, alcoholism and mental health disorders are physical/mental/spiritual diseases.
3. Drug addiction, alcoholism and mental health disorders if left untreated are progressive, chronic, incurable, and potentially fatal.
4. Denial of the disease of drug addiction, alcoholism and mental health disorders and noncompliance with attempts at addiction treatment, drug rehab or dual diagnosis treatment are symptoms of the disorder.
5. Drug addiction, alcoholism and mental health disorders manifest loss of control in behavior, thought, and emotions.
6. Drug addiction, alcoholism and mental health disorders effect the whole family.
7. Growing powerlessness and unmanageability over drug addiction, alcoholism or mental illness’s lead to feelings of guilt, shame, depression, and despair.
8. Drug addiction, alcoholism and mental health disorders are diseases of vulnerability and isolation.
9. Both the primary symptoms of each disease AND loss of control in behavior/thought/emotion are reversible with addiction treatment or dual diagnosis treatment.
10. Recovery consists of: Stabilization of the acute disease Rehabilitation of body, mind, and spirit
11. The risk of relapse in either disease is always high, and relapse in drug addiction or alcoholism will inevitably trigger a relapse in the mental health disorder.
12. The only hope for life-long recovery lies in working our Recovery Program(s): ONE DAY AT A TIME
If you are looking for an effective dual diagnosis treatment program, you can call the [http://www.recoveryconnection.org ]dual diagnosis helpline at 1-800-511-9225 or go to [http://www.steppingstonecenter.org/ ]www.steppingstonecenter.org
Jonathan Huttner is a principal in Lakeview Health Systems, a drug rehab program specializing in the treatment of dual diagnosis. Lakeview is also a gay friendly alcohol rehab and gay friendly addiction treatment program.
Related posts in Mental Health
Dual Diagnosis, Drug Addiction, Alcoholism and Their Similarities
by Bill Urell on
By Jonathan Huttner
There are many similarities between drug addiction, alcoholism and a mental health disorder. While the combination of a drug addiction or alcohol addiction and a mental health disorder is called a dual diagnosis, they should all be treated simultaneously in a drug rehab, alcohol rehab or dual diagnosis treatment program.
Below are the listed similarities:
1. Drug addiction, alcoholism and mental health disorders are physiological diseases with strong genetic and hereditary components.
2. Drug addiction, alcoholism and mental health disorders are physical/mental/spiritual diseases.
3. Drug addiction, alcoholism and mental health disorders if left untreated are progressive, chronic, incurable, and potentially fatal.
4. Denial of the disease of drug addiction, alcoholism and mental health disorders and noncompliance with attempts at addiction treatment, drug rehab or dual diagnosis treatment are symptoms of the disorder.
5. Drug addiction, alcoholism and mental health disorders manifest loss of control in behavior, thought, and emotions.
6. Drug addiction, alcoholism and mental health disorders effect the whole family.
7. Growing powerlessness and unmanageability over drug addiction, alcoholism or mental illness’s lead to feelings of guilt, shame, depression, and despair.
8. Drug addiction, alcoholism and mental health disorders are diseases of vulnerability and isolation.
9. Both the primary symptoms of each disease AND loss of control in behavior/thought/emotion are reversible with addiction treatment or dual diagnosis treatment.
10. Recovery consists of: Stabilization of the acute disease Rehabilitation of body, mind, and spirit
11. The risk of relapse in either disease is always high, and relapse in drug addiction or alcoholism will inevitably trigger a relapse in the mental health disorder. 12. The only hope for life-long recovery lies in working our Recovery Program(s): ONE DAY AT A TIME
If you are looking for an effective dual diagnosis treatment program, you can call the dual diagnosis helpline at 1-800-511-9225 or go to www.steppingstonecenter.org
Jonathan Huttner is a principal in Lakeview Health Systems, a drug rehab program specializing in the treatment of dual diagnosis. Lakeview is also a gay friendly alcohol rehab and gay friendly addiction treatment program.
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1. Drug addiction, alcoholism and mental health disorders are physiological diseases with strong genetic and hereditary components. 
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Thank you for sharing this great resource. I think that drug addiction and alcoholism is way to widespread for it not to be of great importance. I think that more people need to realize what drug addiction does to people. It turns good people into criminals. I hope that soon this issue will be handled.
I heard previously that drug addiction is a physical problem and the article only strengthens my belief. Like any other physical disease, it is curable with proper treatment method. Additionally, the will and mental strength of the patient is also very important.
If a Person Suffers From Drug Addiction, Alcoholism and a Mental Health Disorder, Which Should Be Treated First? In a perfect world, both problems should be treated simultaneously. For any substance abuse problem, however, the first step in treatment must be detox – a period of time during which the body is allowed to cleanse itself of alcohol or drugs. Ideally, detox should take place under medical supervision. It can take a few days to a week or more, depending on what substances the person abused and for how long.
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ur post is so informative thanks 4 telling us a nice description about Addiction, Alcoholism and a Mental Health Disorder ur blog is very help fuly blog:)thanks
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