The Biblical Worldview: The Meaning of Dual Diagnosis

Dual diagnosis
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Dual diagnosis
The meaning of Dual Diagnosis
A condition where an individual suffers from a comorbid substance abuse problem and a mental illness is referred to as dual diagnosis (Pereira, 2011). Some of the most notable dual diagnosis cases includes an anxiety disorder dependence on opioids, drug dependency and milder mental illness or a substance misuse disorder as well as a severe mental illness such as schizophrenia and psychosis (Clinton & Scalise, 2013). It is always important to differentiate between the pre-existing mental illness and the substance induced illness. The chances of a person suffering from co-occurring disorders or facing challenges such as Hepatitis C, HIV, homeless and increased rates of relapse are high as compared to a person that has only one mental disorder. The casualty theory of dual diagnosis suggests that mental illness can be caused by certain types of mental abuse (Evans & Sullivan, 2012). For instance, temporary psychotic experiences can be caused by the use of stimulants like cannabis. There is always a high risk for those suffering from mental disorders with frequent use of cannabis. Each of the two illnesses in a dual diagnosis requires a separate treatment plan, but the good thing is that drug problems and mental illnesses are both treatable.
How coexisting disorders impact the addiction cycle
Most people are never aware that they have a mental disorder until they start experiencing feelings such as impulsiveness, anger and depression (Evans & Sullivan, 2012). In an attempt to numb these feelings, most of them, turn to alcohol and illegal drugs as a form of self-medication. The drugs may give such people a temporary solution, b...