Dual diagnosis.
It’s likely a term that you aren’t all too familiar with. It’s certainly not an every day word that easily rolls off the tip of your tongue. Plainly said, most Americans haven’t had to tap this word into the Google machine to figure out why it matters. And that’s perfectly ok.
What is dual diagnosis? What does it mean?
Let’s delve into it.
“A person with dual diagnosis has both a mental disorder and an alcohol or drug problem. These conditions occur together frequently,” according to MedlinePlus.
In essence, there are two things happening at the same time, a mental health illness, such as depression, and a substance use disorder, such as alcoholism.
Many times “dual diagnosis” turns into duel diagnosis. How?
Let’s take the example above: depression and alcoholism. In many cases depression will take full control of our mental state, pushing you to resort to alcohol as a means to deal with the depression. Alcohol is suppose to operate as a weapon to fight off the depression. However, all it really does is drive individuals suffering from it deeper into an abyss of depression. The alcohol duels with the depression and only makes it worse. The result of all of this is a textbook case of dual diagnosis.
The key here is to look for the signs and symptoms of dual diagnosis. Typically, social withdraw, erratic behavior, appetite or weight changes, and/or changes in sleep patterns.
To address a specific case or help an individual battling dual diagnosis, please don’t hesitate to contact Union First at 1-855-215-2023 or www.unionfirst.net.