Dual Diagnosis

A person who has both an alcohol or drug problem and an emotional/psychiatric problem is said to have a dual diagnosis.  To recover fully, the person needs treatment for both problems. Each illness has symptoms and both illnesses interact with one another. A person may sincerely try to recover from one illness and not acknowledge the other. Over time, the lack of progress toward recovery on both fronts may trigger feelings of failure and alienation. Perhaps the greatest tragedy is the damage that occurs to the individual’s self-esteem. There are numerous forms of psychiatric illness. There are also many patterns of alcohol or drug abuse. As a result, a variety of different forms of dual or multiple disorders are possible.

Which Develops First - Substance Abuse or the Emotional Problem?

At the AA&E Retreat, we find that very often  the psychological issue occurs first. This can lead people to self medicate with alcohol or drugs  for relief, setting up a chemical imbalance in the brain. Occasionally, the substance abuse evolves into dependency as a result of a brain chemical change, you will experience cravings, impulsivity and often behavioral problems.

In other cases, alcohol or drug dependency is the primary condition.  A person whose substance abuse problem has become severe may develop symptoms of a psychiatric disorder:  perhaps episodes of depression, fits of rage, hallucinations, or suicide attempts.

What Treatment Options Exist?

Ideally, both problems should be treated simultaneously.  For any substance abuser, however, the first step in treatment must be detoxification - a period of time during which the body is allowed to cleanse itself of alcohol or drugs. It can take a few days to a week or more, depending on what substances the person abused and for how long. Once detoxification is completed, it’s time for dual treatment; rehabilitation for the alcohol or drug problem and treatment for the psychiatric problem. There are several different levels or intensities of care including full hospitalization or inpatient treatment, partial hospitalization, and outpatient treatment.

Because no two people are alike,  the AA&E Retreat with NSI, provides you with accurate diagnosis through multiple tests and assessments. We can match individualized treatments to the problem  with integrated therapies for effective adjustments and healing. We treat Substance Abuse, Eating Disorders, compulsive Sex-Gambling and various Pysc-addictions with extensive extended-care and follow through the recovery process of each client at no additional cost.