The prospect of dealing with even one mental or emotional health concern can be worrying enough. Life is rarely simple, though, and one issue that should be on your radar is the possibility that you're dealing with at least two co-morbid problems at the same time. A dual diagnosis treatment program is about more than just separating the signal from the noise. There are serious concerns about everything from physical health to the efficacy of treatment when only looking at a patient's worries from one angle.

What Exactly Is a Dual Diagnosis?

As you might guess from the name, a dual diagnosis implies that two mental issues are simultaneously in play. Sometimes a dual diagnosis lines up very sensibly. For example, an individual who suffers from a substance use disorder might also have a previously undiagnosed case of anxiety. In fact, that person may be using drugs as a form of self-medication to cope with their anxiety.

There are also cases where each diagnosis is divergent. A person might be coping with an addiction issue that arises from early childhood role modeling while also dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder due to adult experiences. Treatment in these circumstances can sometimes be tricky because what works well in addressing one problem might not be a great choice for the other. Add addiction patterns to the situation, and it takes a professional's understanding to form a plan.

Physical Health Concerns

One of the biggest issues that has to be frequently addressed by a dual diagnosis treatment program services provider is how to deal with physical symptoms. In particular, withdrawal symptoms can be challenging to sort out in isolation. Add a second diagnosis to the case, and you start worrying about potentially fatal consequences.

Benzodiazepines are a common pharmacological solution for dealing with alcohol withdrawal cases. They're also frequently utilized in treating depression, panic attacks, seizures, convulsions, and sleep disorders.

In the best scenario, a person has simply formed a tolerance and will have a harder time dealing with withdrawal symptoms. In the worst scenario, they may experience an overdose, leading to symptoms like extreme dizziness, decreased physical coordination, breathing problems, and blue skin.

Fully Disclosing Issues

It's important to be upfront about the total scope of what's going on with your mental health. Addiction is a problem that rarely occurs in isolation, and the recovery process may be aided when a doctor sees the bigger picture.