Co-occuring Psychatric Disorder
Individuals with a co-occurring disorder (also known as a dual diagnosis) represent a growing population among the drug and alcohol addiction community. Individuals with co-occurring disorders are high risk patients who may respond differently to drug and alcohol addiction recovery programmes. They are at a much higher risk for destructive behaviours such as suicide. That is why it is imperative that patients with a co-occurring disorder get the professional drug and alcohol recovery treatment they so desperately need.
What are Co-occurring Disorders?
A co-occurring disorder or dual diagnosis refers to individuals suffering from one or more medical disorders. Co-occurring disorders and addiction are quite common as many individuals suffer from more than one drug addiction. Dual diagnosis can also refer to an individual with an addiction to drugs and alcohol or to those individuals with a drug addiction combined with a psychological disorder such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia or an eating disorder. Individuals with a drug addiction and a major physical health problem such as AIDS or cancer are also considered to have a co-occurring disorder.
Recovery for individuals with a co-occurring disorder and addiction is challenging, which is why it is so important for the individual to seek the help of a professional treatment centre. At The Cabin Chiang Mai, Asia’s most respected alcohol and drug treatment centre, we understand that patients with co-occurring disorders need special treatment due to the psychological problems related to their drug and alcohol abuse. Treatment for individuals with co-occurring disorders is a more intricate and complicated recovery process and requires counsellors with experience in dealing with these cases. At The Cabin Chiang Mai, not only does our team of addiction recovery counsellors have a wealth of experience in the treatment of co-occurring disorder cases, we also have strong and consistent collaboration with referring physicians for treatment of our clients with a dual diagnosis.
How Serious is the Problem of Co-occurring Disorders and Addiction?
Now more than ever before, individuals from all walks of life are being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders. As more dual diagnosis individuals appear, rehab facilities are positioning themselves to treat these complex cases. A few facts about dual diagnosis:
Over half of all individuals suffering from drug addiction are also believed to have a co-occurring mental illness. Over one third of all individuals with a mental illness suffer from some form of substance addiction. Common Addictions Associated with Co-occurring Disorders Dual Diagnosis occurs in individuals suffering from a wide range of substance addictions. The following addictions may be likely to have a co-occurring disorder:
- Alcoholism
- Cocaine
- Addiction Club
- Drug Addiction
- Crystal Meth Addiction
- Heroin Addiction
- Methadone Addiction
- Prescription Medication
- Addiction Eating Disorders
Common Mood and Personality Disorders Associated with Dual Diagnosis. Individuals with a co-occurring disorder can have any number of mood or personality disorders. The most common mood and personality disorders associated with addiction include:
- Depression
- Anxiety Bi-polar
- Disorder
- Borderline Personality
- Disorder Schizophrenia
- Eating Disorders
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Panic Anxiety Disorder