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Drug Addiction Information > Dual Diagnosis, Drug Addiction, Alcoholism and Their Similarities

Dual Diagnosis, Drug Addiction, Alcoholism and Their Similarities

By Jonathan Huttner

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There are many similarities between drug addiction, alcoholism and a mental health disorder. While the combination of a drug addiction or alcohol addiction and a mental health disorder is called a dual diagnosis, they should all be treated simultaneously in a drug rehab, alcohol rehab or dual diagnosis treatment program.

Some heavy users of marijuana show signs of withdrawal when they do not use the drug. They develop symptoms such as restlessness, loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, weight loss, and shaky hands.

Below are the listed similarities:

1. Drug addiction, alcoholism and mental health disorders are physiological diseases with strong genetic and hereditary components.

2. Drug addiction, alcoholism and mental health disorders are physical/mental/spiritual diseases.

3. Drug addiction, alcoholism and mental health disorders if left untreated are progressive, chronic, incurable, and potentially fatal.

According to a 1995 Weekly Reader survey, more than half (54%) of fourth through sixth graders reported learning about the dangers of illicit drugs at school, but fewer than a third (30%) learned about the dangers of drinking and smoking at school.

4. Denial of the disease of drug addiction, alcoholism and mental health disorders and noncompliance with attempts at addiction treatment, drug rehab or dual diagnosis treatment are symptoms of the disorder.

5. Drug addiction, alcoholism and mental health disorders manifest loss of control in behavior, thought, and emotions.

6. Drug addiction, alcoholism and mental health disorders effect the whole family.

The Substance abuse research demonstrates that responsible and effective parental monitoring can reduce future teenage drug and alcohol abuse even among adolescents who have difficulty controlling their emotions, who experience stress and anxiety, and who are rebellious, characteristics it might be added, that are typically associated with teen alcohol and drug abuse.

7. Growing powerlessness and unmanageability over drug addiction, alcoholism or mental illness’s lead to feelings of guilt, shame, depression, and despair.

8. Drug addiction, alcoholism and mental health disorders are diseases of vulnerability and isolation.

9. Both the primary symptoms of each disease AND loss of control in behavior/thought/emotion are reversible with addiction treatment or dual diagnosis treatment.

Most alcohol and drug addicts would probably prefer to stop drinking and abusing drugs, but accomplishing this proves to be very difficult at best and impossible at worst without treatment.  Indeed, research shows that some people are actually able to quit drinking and to stop abusing drugs totally on their own without professional assistance.  For the vast majority of others who exhibit drug addiction or alcoholism, however, they need quality addiction treatment if there is any hope for long-term sobriety and addiction recovery.

10. Recovery consists of: Stabilization of the acute disease Rehabilitation of body, mind, and spirit

11. The risk of relapse in either disease is always high, and relapse in drug addiction or alcoholism will inevitably trigger a relapse in the mental health disorder. 12. The only hope for life-long recovery lies in working our Recovery Program(s): ONE DAY AT A TIME

If you are looking for an effective dual diagnosis treatment program, you can call the dual diagnosis helpline at 1-800-511-9225 or go to www.steppingstonecenter.org

Jonathan Huttner is a principal in Lakeview Health Systems, a drug rehab program specializing in the treatment of dual diagnosis. Lakeview is also a gay friendly alcohol rehab and gay friendly addiction treatment program.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jonathan_Huttner

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According to substance abuse research, for every dollar that is spent on drug and alcohol recovery, the United States economy saves seven dollars in healthcare and other related costs to society.  Perhaps the point here is this:  by adopting a long-term perspective and developing and implementing drug and alcohol recovery programs in our schools, in our social service agencies, and in our places of employment, perhaps the current financial drain on our society caused by drug and alcohol abuse can be significantly reduced.  Perhaps more importantly, the incalculable costs of lost lives due to drug and alcohol abuse will be drastically reduced as fewer people lose their lives to drinking and drug abuse problems.

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