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Recognizing Dual Diagnosis – How Anxiety Disorders Increase Chances of Addiction

What is Dual Diagnosis?

According to the US National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health, dual diagnosis is when a person has both a drug or alcohol problem and a mental illness. These conditions often occur together. For example, with alcohol, it is common in a dual diagnosis for the person to also suffer from, anxiety or depression.

treatment for cooccurring disorders

Untreated anxiety disorders may cause people to self medicate, and can lead to addiction.

When a person has a dual diagnosis they will need to receive treatment for both diseases in order for them to overcome their addiction. If a person does not receive treatment for both illnesses, then they have a higher chance of relapsing. Many times, a person does not realize that they have another illness aside from their addiction, and this will result in them continuing to relapse after they receive treatment for their addiction.

Anxiety disorder alone negatively affects the lives of millions of Americans, and is a difficult disorder to deal with if a person does not receive treatment for it. Anxiety is one of the most common disorders that leads to drug or alcohol addiction, and a dual diagnosis.

How Anxiety Disorders Increase the Chances of Addiction

Anxiety is the most common disorder found in dual diagnosis, aside from depression. The problem with untreated anxiety disorder is that, if a person continues to have anxiety without treatment, they tend to self-medicate themselves with drugs or alcohol. Over time, a person may begin to develop an addiction to the drugs or alcohol they are medicating with, and now they will have two chronic diseases to deal with.

According to the US National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health, sometimes the mental problem happens first, which can lead people to use drugs or alcohol because they make them feel better temporarily, however it may get worse over time. In order for a dual diagnosis to be treated, a person will need to treat both conditions and stop using drugs or alcohol all together.

Since anxiety often leads to self-medication with drugs and alcohol. It is important for a person to get help for their anxiety problems before they cause themselves to develop the chronic disease of addiction. There are numerous medications available to treat anxiety disorders, and many of which are now non-addictive and non-sedating. Therapy is also a huge help with treating anxiety disorders and a person should talk with a mental health professional or their primary care doctor to explore their options of treatment.

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Effects of Holistic Alcohol Rehab

Holistic alcohol rehab helps through using the Mind, Body & Spirit.

Those suffering from alcohol addiction have various options for treatment but for many, holistic alcohol rehab is the best choice. When an alcoholic chooses to get help, the effects of holistic alcohol rehab can be rewarding and very beneficial. Many rehab centers now incorporate some type of holistic alcohol rehab into their program and some….

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Alcohol Rehab Centers: Choosing the Best Alcohol Treatment Program for You

Let us help you find a alcohol treatment program!

Alcohol rehab centers are a dime a dozen in the United States and unfortunately, while there are tons of treatment options available for the recovery of alcoholism, there are very few options for explanation on choosing the best rehab center for such addiction.  Finding an alcohol treatment program can be not only difficult but even more so—it can be a daunting task.

5 Benefits of Gender Specific Rehab

Are you or your loved one considering entering treatment in a rehab center? There are so many questions you must have and so many things to be considered when thinking about your options and what type of treatment facility would be best for you or your loved one. Rest assured there are many options for….

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3 Most Common Medications Used in Heroin Rehab

treating heroin addiction with medications

Heroin addiction is a complex illness that often requires a combination of medical care, support and medication in treatment. Patients in heroin rehab often receive medications to help curb cravings, stop withdrawal symptoms or treat other medical issues while they are in recovery. Some of the most common medications in heroin rehab include: Methadone Buprenorphine….

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Georgia Man Sentenced in Cocaine Trafficking Case

On Thursday, March 22, 2018, a Georgia man was sentenced to 19 years in prison and 5 years of supervised release. Derrick L. Thomas is a 44-year-old man from Douglasville who pled guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute over 5 kilograms of cocaine. He also pled guilty to possessing a firearm in….

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What You Must Know About Drug Rehab Insurance

You need to make sure you understand your drug rehab insurance plan inside and out.

If you or someone you love is addicted to drugs or alcohol and needs help then there’s already a chance that you have begun searching for treatment and realized that the cost is rather high which makes getting the help you need difficult. If you think that drug rehab is out of the question because….

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Long Term Benefits of Alcohol Rehab

There are many benefits you will benefit from alcohol rehab.

The effectiveness of alcohol rehab programs is largely defined by the length of the program as well as the services that are offered as part of the alcohol treatment. While alcohol addiction is can be an overwhelming problem for both the addict and the loved one’s of those suffering from an addiction, there is help….

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Rehab Centers for Teenage Alcohol Abuse

teenagers and drinking alcohol

Teenage Alcohol Abuse According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, by the age of 18, 70% of teenagers have had at least one alcoholic drink. Alcohol abuse among teenagers is not uncommon, and although young people tend to drink on fewer occasions than adults, they also drink far more than adults when they do….

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