Search:

Information In Dual Diagnosis Explained

By: Chris Channing Dual diagnosis is the combination of addictions, or when a mentally ill individual becomes a drug user or addict of any particular drug. Dual diagnosis can also be when a mentally challenged person adapts a personality disorder in addition. Medical care is necessary for those who suffer from these disorders and addictions.

Any combination of mental illness and drug addiction can be considered dual diagnosis. The majority of those suffering from this combination of illnesses is already being treated or is in prison. Some people who require treatment for dual diagnosis can not afford to receive if or are homeless. This means that they will most likely never be able to better their situation.

There are several classifications of dual diagnosis. These are MICAA, MISA, MIDAA, CAMI, and CAMI with substance induced psychotic episodes. Each of these acronyms classifies a different combination of illnesses and addictions. Some of them are purely addictions; others are combinations of dual diagnosis disorders.

Those who fall under MICAA are those who are mentally ill and have used chemical drugs and become addicted. This form of dual diagnosis does not contain those who are severely mentally ill. MISA is simply the mentally ill who are currently using chemical substance drugs but have not yet become addicted. Those who suffer from the form of dual diagnosis MIDAA have no forms of mental illness. Patients of this disorder suffer from alcoholism and addiction to any sort of drug in addition. CAMI consists of those who continually use chemical drugs, but are not addicted. They also must have a form of mental illness that does not consist of a personality disorder of any kind.

It can be difficult for dual diagnosis to be discovered in those who suffer from out by the people around them. That is because many of the symptoms of sever drug use appear similar to the actions that those who are mentally ill already produce. Unless the family of the mentally ill individual actually catches the person in the act of taking the drug they may never realize exactly why they are acting strangely.

These problems should be dealt with immediately by those who are professionally trained to work with them. They can better understand the needs of the patients and what is best for them. They can walk them through the process of getting clean and starting there life over again after treatment is finished.

The process of ridding dual diagnosis patients of their addictions can be very long and hard. It starts with detoxification, which is the system of cleaning the body of all the toxins that were put there through the use of drugs. It can take as little as three days and as many as seven. Sweating, nausea, vomiting, and cramps can all become symptoms of the process. Drugs can be used to quell the symptoms, but the patient must be monitored extra carefully if they are administered.

Residential programs made for long term stay patients exist for those recovering from dual diagnosis. These programs will help the patients to ready themselves to be allowed to join society after they have recovered.