Signs and Symptoms of Dual Diagnosis

Exclusive Hawaii Rehab Dual Diagnosis February 9, 2022

Signs and Symptoms of Dual Diagnosis

What is Dual Diagnosis?

A dual diagnosis is when a person is suffering from both a mental health condition and a substance abuse issue at the same time. 

A dual diagnosis treatment program is an integrative type of addiction treatment that addresses mental health disorders and substance use disorders in tandem. Dual diagnosis treatment is the best way for many people to recover from substance abuse and addiction because mental health conditions are frequently underlying causes of substance abuse and addiction.  Mental health disorders like anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and bipolar disorder can complicate recovery and make it easier for the patient to relapse.

If one of these co-occurring disorders is left untreated, both usually get worse over time. Having both disorders causes the patient to have a poor response to traditional treatment and puts them at risk for other serious medical problems.

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Common Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders

Some of the most common co-occurring mental health disorders with addiction include:

  • Depression
  • Generalized anxiety disorder
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Borderline personality disorder
  • Panic disorder
  • Attention deficit disorder
  • Schizophrenia
  • Eating disorders

Risk Factors for Developing a Dual Diagnosis

You may be at risk of developing a dual diagnosis if:

  • You have experienced trauma in the past
  • The reason you started abusing drugs or alcohol was to lessen feelings of anxiety, fear or stress
  • You are unable to remember the last time you felt fulfilled in life without using a substance
  • You have a family history of mental illness
  • You have attended an addiction treatment facility before but felt that your recovery was incomplete

Signs of Dual Diagnosis

Common signs and symptoms of dual diagnosis include:

  • Dramatic shifts in mood or energy levels with angry/violent/reckless behavior
  • Appetite or weight changes
  • Being unable to concentrate
  • Experiencing severe worry or stress
  • Feeling anxiety that can only be relieved by certain behaviors or rituals
  • Experiencing intense feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness
  • Withdrawal from social support like friends and family
  • Experiencing insomnia or sleeping too much
  • Hallucinating or experiencing delusions
  • Having difficulty keeping a job, doing work or school, or upholding other responsibilities
  • Using drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism (i.e. to calm down, to socialize, to help you sleep, etc.)

Dual Diagnosis Treatment at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab

Exclusive Hawaii Rehab is a luxury addiction treatment center that is dedicated to healing the root causes of substance abuse and addiction.  Our program combines the very best of modern psychology with the ancient wisdom of traditional healing modalities to provide a truly transformational experience. We know that for most people, addiction is not the root problem, it is a symptom of a deeper more profound pain.  Our non-12-step approach guides clients on a journey of self-exploration where we will help you identify what led you to abuse alcohol and drugs in the first place. 

Our holistic treatment program emphasizes the integrated nature of the whole person.  We employ a wide range of therapies that get to the underlying causes of addiction and help clients learn new ways of thinking and adopt new, healthier habits and coping mechanisms. 

To learn more about dual diagnosis treatment and healing the root causes of addiction call to speak with a treatment specialist today. 

Experience True Healing

Our deeply-caring staff and the surrounding natural beauty offer an unparalleled healing experience.