It’s easy to stand aside and talk about the issues of addiction and psychiatric conditions. But what’s really essential is to handle the situation carefully. It is important to know that there is proper care and treatment available to overcome this condition. Medical science is well aware that comorbid conditions are very common and treatment approaches vary.
Drug rehabilitation centers today believe in administering comprehensive treatment programs where the patient is treated for both the addiction and the underlying mental disorder. Statistics show that the co-occurrence of a mental illness alongside substance abuse is very common and that very few people actually admit to it. On an average, almost 50 percent of people having a mental illness also have an addiction problem.
One of the major setbacks in dealing with dual diagnosis and chronic relapse is that one condition often goes untreated as those symptoms go undetected under the influence of the other. Also, in some cases, the similarities in symptoms make it even easier for it to go undetected.
What usually starts out as a means of self –medication to overcome intense emotional/ physical pain, stress or any other mental condition; may go out of hand leading to substance abuse or addiction. Unfortunately, alcohol and drugs interfere with a person’s thought process enabling them to cope with hallucinations, pain, stress, etc. This is one of the major stimuli to substance abuse.
Whereas those already abusing drugs or alcohol for extended periods of time become addicted to it. They then develop symptoms like agitation, aggression and other psychiatric symptoms. These changes in a patient have to be taken seriously and treated as these individuals are suffering and are in distress as they are seriously disabled.
Under the influence of dual diagnosis, the patient’s judgment is seriously impaired and they are often not aware of their actions.
Most drug rehabilitation centers offer specialized treatment programs to deal with dual diagnosis and chronic relapse. As opposed to common belief treatment does not see relapse as a failure; in fact, it works as an intimation to start treatment again.
When dealing with chronic relapse, medical practitioners work in a different way; they believe in designing a treatment regimen that is complete. To do so doctors and counselors begin by gathering as much information as possible about the relapse.
There are several contributing factors that actually lead to relapse and these factors are usually identifiable. Doctors today redefine relapse to not just the stage where patients return to substance abuse, but also the process during which this happens. This way, they are able to discern certain indicators which help them design an effective treatment regimen. Studies have shown that patients with a history of relapse episodes have undergone treatment which results in log-term abstinence and in many cases, complete recovery from addiction.
Common factors that contribute to a relapse are:
• Inability to deal with social pressures to abuse drugs or alcohol
• Frequently being exposed to high risk conditions that have led to substance abuse in the past.
• Psychological or physical reminders of substance abuse in the past
• Inability to deal with interpersonal conflicts or negative emotions
• Recurrent thoughts or the physical urge to use drugs
• The urge to test personal control over alcohol and drugs
Besides proper treatment, Dual diagnosis and chronic relapse patients require a lot of support and care from their family and friends. This plays a major role in encouraging them to successfully complete their treatment and overcome addiction. Drug rehabilitation centers also provide patients with extended support system through networks and support groups like the Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, etc. to help the patient cope with the treatment regimen and abstain from addiction.
0 comments:
Post a Comment