What is dual diagnosis?
Dual diagnosis refers to people who suffer from a mental health disorder as well as a substance abuse disorder. The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reports that 29% of people diagnosed with mental illness also suffer from drug or alcohol abuse. Studies show that people suffering from both types of behavioral health problems achieve the highest success rates when both disorders are treated simultaneously.
Unfortunately, many mental health programs don’t offer effective integrated treatment for dual diagnosis. The Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center is one of a few mental health programs in the United States with a qualified staff with specific experience in
treating dual diagnosis.
The causes of mental health disorders like depression and anxiety can be very similar to the reasons a person may begin abusing drugs and alcohol. Substance abuse and mental illness can feed off each other, making it critical for an individual with dual diagnosis to seek a professional treatment program that specifically treats dual diagnosis.
