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For people in the United States, chemical addiction is no longer a rarity. Most people know someone who suffers from drug or alcohol abuse. For many people, the suffering person is a member of their own family. The ready availability of drugs, such as crack cocaine, heroin, marijuana and crystal meth, have increased the prevalence of chemical dependency. In addition, alcohol is easily obtained and is often shared with teens and young adults. Early exposure to drugs and alcohol can increase the likelihood of addiction. Although people who experiment with drugs and alcohol may initially only use the substances for recreational reasons, addiction becomes more likely with continued use. Frequently, the euphoric sensation that is produced when drugs and alcohol are consumed is difficult to abandon. People may want to stop ingesting addictive substances, but they may be unable to quit on their own. Dual diagnosis treatment may be needed. Dual diagnosis treatment is a specific form of treatment that is used to care for people who suffer from chemical dependency and mental illness concurrently. The treatment, which typically takes place in dual diagnosis treatment centers, is a form of long-term care that has shown success in facilitating the recovery of co-morbid patients. Often, people who are chemically dependent also display symptoms of some type of mental illness. The mental disorders may vary. For instance, patients may display signs of general anxiety disorder, clinical depression, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Nevertheless, since the patients show indications of mental illness, treating only the chemical addiction of the patients can be counterproductive to complete recovery. In the past, dual diagnosis treatment did not exist. Patients who had a substance abuse problem were sent to drug rehabilitation centers for treatment. However, years ago, the link between substance abuse and mental illness had not been established. Few medical professionals recognized that a link even existed. Recent studies have shown that over 65 percent of people who are chemically addicted also have a mental disorder. Failure to address mental health needs during treatment can sabotage the success of the rehabilitative care. Drug rehabilitation programs were designed to address the chemical dependency of a patient. Likewise, mental health facilities were established to improve mental health. Dual diagnosis treatment effectively combines the care provided by drug rehab centers with that offered by mental health facilities. The resulting treatment facilitates recovery from drug addiction and mental illness simultaneously. There are many dual diagnosis treatment centers throughout the United States, and the treatment provided has been more successful than past forms of dependency care. People who complete dual diagnosis treatment are less likely to relapse. In fact, many dual diagnosis patients remain drug and alcohol free for the remainder of their life. People who are admitted to dual diagnosis treatment centers are thoroughly assessed prior to the commencement of treatment. A complete medical history is obtained, and patients are interviewed by medical staff. The findings obtained through the assessment are used to develop an individualized course of treatment that specifically addresses the needs of the patients. Following the evaluation, the patients usually complete a period of detoxification. Addictive substances must be eliminated from the body to lessen cravings. Psychotherapy is also used during dual diagnosis treatment. Patients may participate in individualized and group sessions. In some cases, the family members of dual diagnosis patients may be invited to participate in certain psychotherapy sessions. The sessions are useful in helping patients heal from past emotional trauma, which may be linked to the mental disorders and chemical addiction that the patients display.
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