Expert Dual Diagnosis treatment center help for depression, bipolar, anxiety, PTSD,

Do you or your loved one suffer from dual diagnosis?

Dual diagnosis (co-occurring disorder) is used to describe the comorbid condition of a person considered to be suffering from an emotional issue in conjunction with a substance abuse problem.

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that “44% of persons suffering from alcoholism and 64% of other drug abusers had, in addition to their drug addiction or alcoholic problem, at least one serious mental illness and/or eating disorder problem.

This is especially true with cocaine, 75% cocaine users have another mental disorder and/or eating disorder. Dual diagnoses or co-occurring disorders are when a drug addict or alcoholic also has been diagnosed with a mental illness such as depression, bipolar, panic attacks, anxiety, ADD or other. Research indicates that people may seek out specific drugs because of an imbalance in their neurotransmitters.

They may be trying to alleviate the symptoms of a mental disorder such as depression by using drugs or alcohol. For example, usually depressed people prefer stimulants attempting to mitigate the low energy that frequently accompanies depression. Many people will self medicate with drug addiction or alcohol to try to help themselves feel better. Unfortunately, finding a dual diagnosis facility is not easy!

 

Dr. Willa's House can treat dual diagnosis patients!

Many addiction treatment centers will not accept dual diagnosis patients as the don't have the staff to properly treat dual diagnosis patients.

In fact, many drug rehab treatment centers refer their dual diagnosis patients to Dr. Willa's House. Years ago, Dr. Willa herself suffered from an eating disorder. As such, she has a passion and drive to help others who suffer from both substance abuse addiction and mental issues and/or eating disorders.

Dual diagnosis patients are some of the most difficult patients to treat. One of the reasons dual diagnosis patients do well at Dr. Willa's House is the amount of personalized one-on-one sessions that each patient receives. In addition, certain staff members personally battled and defeated their dual diagnosis successfully.

 

We can almost double a dual diagnosis patients chance of sobriety!

Dr. Willa's House can almost double the chances of drug addicts and alcoholics maintaining their sobriety by appropriately treating their underlying mental disorder with a non-addictive medication.

The first step for treating a dual diagnosis patient is accomplished by appropriately treating the underlying mental disorder with a non-addictive medication. CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and EEG Biofeedback may also help reduce stress, pain, anxiety, bipolar ups and downs, ADHD, ADD, depression, insomnia and obsessive eating thoughts.  Dual diagnoses can often quickly respond to a variety of treatments.

 

Do you or a loved one suffer from an eating disorder?

Alcoholics and drug addicts often substitute one addiction for another. An alcoholic who stops drinking will frequently develop eating disorders or other type of addiction.

About 72% of alcoholic women younger than 30 years of age also have an eating disorder problem (Health magazine, Jan/Feb. 2002). In addition, people with eating disorders often abuse prescription and recreational drugs, sometimes to numb themselves emotionally, to escape misery and depression, and to help them lose weight. According to Wikipedia's definition...

"The causes of eating disorders are complex and not yet fully understood. Eating disorders are estimated to affect 5-10 million females and 1 million males in the United States. Although not yet classified as separate disorder, binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in the United States affecting 3.5% of females and 2% of males according to a study by Harvard affiliated Mc Lean Hospital. Bulimia nervosa was the second most common followed by Anorexia nervosa."

 

Do you or a loved one suffer from depression?

Depression is very common, affecting 7% of the U.S. population. It is associated with feelings of sadness, guilt, hopelessness, worthlessness, low energy, loss of interest or happiness in things that used to bring pleasure and a sense of accomplishment.

Fortunately, depression is very treatable. Depression is sometimes associated with suicidal thoughts and ideas and again, like those suffering from eating disorders, should seek treatment immediately! A recent report from the CDC and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics indicates that in 2002, suicide was the 11th leading cause of death for all Americans and the 3rd leading cause of death for people ages 15 to 24.

Suicide risk evaluation is especially important in alcoholics and drug addicts. Why? Because 90% of persons who completed suicides in all age groups had a diagnosable mental or substance abuse disorder. This certainly does not mean that just because they have a mental or substance abuse disorder, someone is at risk for suicide. Clearly the majority of people with these disorders do not die by suicide. People who abuse alcohol are 60-120 times more likely to commit suicide. Accordingly, dual diagnosis treatment should be considered immediately!

 

Do you or a loved one suffer from ADD or ADHD?

People with under active brain activity, especially in front of the brain, called the prefrontal cortex, often use stimulants such as methamphetamine or cocaine to increase activity in these under active areas.

A common example is stimulant abuse in Attention Deficit Disorder, called ADD. Many teenagers with ADD experiment with drugs and alcohol.In ADD, the prefrontal cortex is under active and it becomes even less active when the person tries to focus on a simple or complex task such as homework (reading or writing). Regarding adults, a research study at Harvard University found that 52% of adults with untreated ADD abused drugs. The signs of ADD include inattention, easy distractibility, disorganization, procrastination and poor attention to detail. ADHD stands Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and is ADD with hyperactive, restlessness and in addition to the inattention of ADD. Accordingly, and as mentioned above, dual diagnosis treatment should be considered immediately!

 

Do you or a loved one suffer from anxiety or panic disorders?

People with anxiety disorders usually prefer sedating substances such as: Alcohol, Opiates, Marijuana, Sedatives and Tranquilizers such as Valium, Klonopin and Xanax.

These sedating substances called “downers” help them to calm their overactive anxiety centers of the brain called the Cingulate Gyrus. Also the brain has a structure called the Amydala which processes incoming information and labels it as dangerous causing fear and panic.

This happens before we are even consciously aware of the danger. An overactive Amydala increases the release of our stress hormones and decreases serotonin and dopamine. This decreased serotonin is linked to anxiety disorders.

Anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety, panic attacks and phobias are the most prevalent psychiatric disorders in the U.S. 25% percent of adults will have anxiety disorders sometime during their lifetime and the incidence is even higher for alcoholics and drug addicts.

 

Do you or a loved one suffer from PTSD?

PTSD stands for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder also called shell shock. After a severe trauma such as rape, war, a motor vehicle accident, or natural disaster, a person may develop PTSD.

Such an individual may have recurrent thoughts of the upsetting event associated with nightmares and flashbacks. They often feel detached, numb, are easily startled and lose hope in the future. Depression can then enter the battle. Unfortunately many drug and alcohol abusers will develop PTSD. Studies show that 30-57% of females with substance abuse have a lifetime prevalence of PTSD. PTSD can be treatable by EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing), hypnosis/guided meditation, therapy, biofeedback training and sometimes medication.

 

Get help with dual diagnosis today! Call 888-508-3371 Now!

Have questions about dual diagnosis? Want to speak with Dr. Willa personally? Just give Dr. Willa's House a call at 888-508-3371!