What is Dual Diagnoses

Often times addiction doesn’t occur as the sole brain disease.  It is common for other behavioral disorders to also be present with addiction.  Most common is depression.  Anxiety and other mood disorders, bipolar disease, attention deficit disorder and schizophrenia can co-occur.  At times it is necessary to enlist the help of other mental health specialists to evaluate and treat the co-existent behavioral disorders.  The important thing to keep in mind with dual diagnosis is when present, the treatment for addiction becomes more complicated, especially if the dual diagnosis is not treated.  Sometimes the anxiety or depression is associated with the substance use disorder and gets better on its own once the addiction is under control.  But at times additional medications are required to address the underlying dual diagnosis disease.  Discovering this is part of the job of your mental health specialists.  The underlying goal is sustained recovery that includes relief from the symptoms of the dual diagnosis.

Sometimes the dual diagnosis is medical in origin – for example liver disease including alcohol related liver disease or chronic viral hepatitis affecting the way medications are handled by the body.  Adequate treatment for these associated medical illnesses is a part of overall recovery.  As a new patient the addictionologist will review your medical and behavioral history with you as a treatment plan is developed.

Plaza Behavioral and Addiction Health clinic is here to help anyone who is caught in the throes of addiction.  We provide comprehensive outpatient treatment that addresses those elements that have been disordered due to addiction.  If you or someone you love is willing to accept treatment, we are here to provide that help.

Dan Criswell, MD
Plaza Behavioral Health and Addiction