Dual Diagnosis at substance abuse treatment center in Gifford, Florida

Not many people faced with an addiction problem in the family or among friends know about dual diagnosis. A dual diagnosis is exactly what the term states, a diagnosis of two conditions in the same individual. In an addiction situation, dual diagnosis refers to prevalence of a psychological disorder along with substance abuse.

The two conditions appear distinctly different but each has an impact on the other. The symptoms of drug addiction often conceal signs of psychological disorder. On the other hand, mental illness makes an addict more resistant to treatment and s/he is less likely to respond positively to counseling. Typically, in a dual diagnosis where an addict has a psychological disorder such as depression, bipolar disorder or panic attacks the risk of relapse is greater than in other patients.

Prevalence of both conditions greatly affects the chances of recovery and requires a dedicated effort by the medical, psychiatric and support staff at substance abuse rehab center in Gifford. While it may be easy for friends and family to recognize addiction in a loved one, the same cannot be said about presence of a psychological condition. That makes it extremely important that you choose an appropriate drug addiction treatment center in Gifford that has medical professionals specializing in addiction treatment.

Presence or otherwise of a mental disease is an important part of evaluation at drug abuse rehabs. This is done based on behavior of the person involved. The following behaviors in an addict indicate prevalence of a psychological disorder.

- Frequent mood swings

- Inability to attend work or school in case of students

- Inability to formulate and express thoughts

- Prefers to remain aloof

- Inability to attain intimacy with others

- Uncontrolled spending

- Uncontrolled anger or violence or both

If dual diagnosis is confirmed it involves treating both conditions at the same time. This is a tedious process and requires qualified medical professionals to manage both. As it is, the process of addiction treatment involves management of withdrawal symptoms that are at times very severe and painful. Add to that the symptoms of a psychological disorder and the staff at substance abuse rehab center in Gifford has a patient that is difficult to manage.

Despite all this, the fact is that patients with dual diagnosis can recover if they get into an appropriate drug addiction treatment center in Gifford. You require looking for drug abuse rehabs that have a team of professionals comprising of psychiatrists, medical doctors, counselors, therapists and trained nurses. The important thing is that the patient should be given concurrent treatment for both conditions.

Laying more emphasis on one aspect of the problem than the other may reduce chances of recovery or increase the risk of a relapse. Patients with dual diagnosis are provided special care at drug addiction treatment center in Gifford in all the three aspects of treatment, psychiatric, physiological and psychological care.

Another aspect of treatment of patients with dual diagnosis is that they have to be provided with increased individual therapy. Along with skills for restarting a new life, attention equal attention has to be paid for developing a plan for recovery from mental illness.