What is dual diagnosis? The common link between addiction and mental illness

When a person decides to seek drug rehab centers and arrives at a treatment center, he or she is warmly welcomed and helped to settle in. Each client is thoroughly assessed by our professional staff, each expert in his or her discipline. An important component of the assessment is the diagnosis of any underlying condition which may accompany the primary condition. When a mental health disorder is linked to drug dependency as a means of self-medication, the patient is experiencing a dual diagnosis scenario.

An underlying mental health condition such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder amongst others, may be responsible for the development of the addiction to drugs. Many people suffering from mental health disorders turn to drugs in an attempt to ease their emotional pain and anxiety, symptoms that sometimes worsen the situation.

On the other hand, mental illness can be triggered by substance abuse. Drug addiction or alcoholism can lead to anxiety and depression. Dr. Stephen Gilman, an addiction psychiatrist at New York University in New York City, said, “Alcoholism and drug abuse addictions and other psychiatric disorders often occur at the same time. However, they are distinct disorders that must be treated as such in order to get a good outcome for the patient.”

Identifying underlying or concurrent disorders is referred to as dual diagnosis and all conditions must be treated simultaneously to achieve successful results.

Common conditions

• Depression – A person with depression may use drugs or alcohol to mask symptoms such as sadness or lack of self-esteem
• Bipolar disorder – This condition causes alternating cycles of depression and an abnormally elevated mood called mania. A person with this disorder may turn to drugs or alcohol in an attempt to level mood swings
• Anxiety – Substance abuse is common in both men and women with anxiety disorders
• Schizophrenia – the psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia such as hallucinations and delusions may cause a person to use drugs or alcohol to alleviate his or her distress

Individuals with a mental disorder may experience lowered inhibitions and be more prone to taking risks, such as using illegal drugs or drinking to excess. Impaired cognition can quickly lead to addiction.

Other factors having a bearing on the interrelationship of mental illness and addiction include genetics and chemical deficiencies. Co-morbidity (having both disorders simultaneously) has been linked to a family history of combined mental health and substance abuse issues. Studies involving identical and fraternal twins have indicated a genetic influence is involved. The same studies showed that environment also plays a major role in the incidence of co-morbidity.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, a chemical that transmits signals along and between nerves. A reduction in serotonin which is critical to brain function may be the reason that substance abuse and mental illness occur together so often. The link between substance abuse and mental illness is not yet exactly clear but it is known that the connection works both ways. Those with substance abuse addictions tend to develop mental illnesses and those with mental illness tend to develop substance abuse problems.

Dr. Gilman notes, “Clinically speaking, you have to treat the addiction and the psychological symptoms at the same time. Misdiagnosis and therefore under-treatment is common, such as when an alcohol addiction is masking bipolar disorder.”

Undergoing treatment at an accredited facility will ensure a proper diagnosis of underlying mental health conditions that contribute to addiction. If you are researching treatment centers for drug addiction in California, please call 855-683-9756 to speak with a member of our team.