September 24th, 2009
The Benefits of Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Addiction treatment centers are not by any means a new invention. They go back to at least as far as the 1930’s, the Oxford Group, and Bill Wilson’s founding of Alcoholics Anonymous. The way we look at addiction and treat, however has changed. With the formation of dual diagnosis treatment many facilities are offering addicts a relatively new approach to addiction treatment. Instead of offering treatment for only one part of the problem, dual diagnosis treats both.
Most dual diagnosis treatment centers offer treatment for both alcohol and drug addiction, it is then combined with treatment of a co-occurring psychiatric or emotional disorder. The first step in proper dual diagnosis treatment is identifying the real problem that could be perpetuating the substance of abuse. This includes depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and even schizophrenia. Once properly diagnosed, treatment can begin. Most drug and alcohol treatment centers use the 12 Step program as the preferred method of treatment for the addiction. The psychiatric disorders often require treatment through additional counseling, therapy, and a supportive environment, specific to them and the disorder they face. Often the emotional or psychiatric disorder will manifest itself in the drug or alcohol abuse, so it is vitally important to identify each problem and deal with both of them effectively. Although it would seem almost natural to treat both the addiction and disorder together, research has shown that treating both problems separately, facilitators are better able to gauge the progress of both conditions. If both are not properly treated, a relapse is eminent.
Addiction treatment has come a long way in the last 70 years. We can only hope that through continued advances in medicine and psychology greater strides can be made in the field of addiction treatment and more lives will be saved.
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