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Dual Diagnosis Theories

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Substance Abuse and Mental Illness

Often people who abuse drugs are also dealing with mental disorders. Likewise, people dealing with mental disorders often abuse drugs. National population surveys show that a person diagnosed with an anxiety or mood disorder is twice as likely to have a drug abuse problem as respondents in general. The same is true of those diagnosed with personality disorders such as antisocial personality disorder or depression.

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Theories On Mental Illness and Substance Abuse

There are multiple theories to explain why an individual who tends to experience severe mental disorder is very much vulnerable to substance abuse. On the other hand, there are also certain explanations why co-existence of these behaviors is prevalent. Complications will be further explained through the following theories:

Self Medication Theory. This theory purports that someone who suffers from a severe mental illness may start to use several forms and kinds of drugs in order to relieve specific symptoms. Meaning, substances are not primarily chosen in a random phase but with good purpose.

Although, with the dependence of the individual to the medications in order to alleviate the symptoms of mental illness, it results in the person no longer wanting to live without having that medication.

Although, this research is not entirely accepted because of the evidence is that certain individuals use drugs the same way that a person who doesn't show any sign of mental illness does.
Multiple Risk Factor Theory. There are several environmental risk factors that need attention and can cause co-existing disorders:
- Lack of A lifestyle where drugs are very available and a habit is easily sustained
- Poverty and lack of resources
- Lack of structured everyday activities
- Isolation from the normal social norms of life
- Associating with people who are using drugs
- Traumatic life experiences such as sexual abuse can be directly associated to the development of psychiatric problems and abuse of illegal substances.
Supersensitivity Theory. This theory purports that some individuals are especially vulnerable to substance abuse and mental illness because of genetics and early developmental life events. Stressful life events may trigger a psychiatric disorder or relapse. Self-medicating increases vulnerability and the individual becomes supersensitive to even small amounts of drugs.
Dysphoria Theory. Research shows that dysphoria--an uncomfortable mood such as depression or anxiety-- is one of the foremost motivators in why a person results to alcohol or substance abuse. The simplicity of this theory states that when a person experiences dysphoria, self-medication is used just to alleviate or reduce the bad feelings.

Treating Dual Diagnosis Disorders

Addiction Resources

Dual Recovery Anonymous: Dual Recovery Anonymous is an independent, nonprofessional, Twelve Step, self-help membership organization for people with a dual diagnosis.
National Institute On Drug Abuase: The science of drug abuse and addiction.
NIDA Goes Back To School: The NIDA Goes Back to School campaign is your source for FREE information about the latest science-based drug abuse publications and teaching materials
Smoking.Drugabuse.gov: Nicotine addiction and other dangers of tobacco use.
HIV.Drugabuse.gov: Information On HIV/AIDS and teen drug abuse from NIDA.
Marijuana-info.org: The facts about marijuana.
ClubDrugs.gov: Information on current trends and stats for club drugs and other drugs of abuse .
Anabolic Steroid Abuse - National Institute on Drug Abuse: Medical consequences of steroid abuse.
NIDA For Teens: The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) created the NIDA for Teens Web site to educate adolescents ages 11 through 15 (as well as their parents and teachers) on the science behind drug abuse.
Inhalants.Drugabuse.gov: Medical consequences of inhalant abuse.

Conclusion

Some people will take drugs as an form of escape from too much stress and pressure. Other people will simply succumb to peer pressure, work stress, or just boredom. Whatever the reason, It's always easier to create something bad than something good because you do it without much effort. This is where dual diagnosis comes in. Some of these theories are entirely accepted by medical practitioners dealing with the client who is experiencing dual diagnosis. These theories can greatly help in the effective diagnosis and plan of treatment of concomitant disorders.

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