Substance Abuse and Mental Health: Co-Occurring Disorders

Substance Abuse and Mental Health put together can really frustrate your life and immediate solution is very necessary

We are living at a time when substance abuse is becoming the order of the day and drugs are on a daily basis become very accessible to our children. The use of these drugs comes with serious health complications that destroy the very vital organs of the body including the heart, kidney, brain, lungs just to mention a few. When one abuses drugs consistently, the brain will be affected thereby causing mental health complications. The effects of substance abuse can be very frustrating if not dealt with in good time. That is why doctor Dalal Akoury founded AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center to help drug addicts get their life back professionally. We are going to be focusing on the substance abuse and mental health throughout this article so that you and your loved ones can get to know where to start from should there be an addiction and metal health problem in your family. From her over two decade of working experience doctor Akoury says that when you have both a substance abuse problem and a mental health issue such as depression, bipolar disorder, or anxiety scientifically this is called a co-occurring disorder or simply dual diagnosis as is commonly known by many. I have seen so many people struggling with various addictions but surely dealing with substance abuse, alcoholism, or drug addiction is never easy. This problem can even become more complicated and frustrating if the patient is also struggling with mental health problems. However, the good news is that when you visit our facility (AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center) we have highly trained medical staff who will administer treatments that will help you get better. She says that with proper treatment, support, and self-help strategies, you can overcome a dual diagnosis and reclaim your life. Therefore if you are struggling with any form of addiction, you may want to call doctor Akoury to schedule for an appointment for the commencement of your recovery journey.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health: Understanding the link between substance abuse and mental health

In a dual diagnosis, both the mental health issue and the drug or alcohol addiction have their own unique symptoms that may get in the way of your ability to function, handle life’s difficulties, and relate to others. To make the situation more complicated, the co-occurring disorders also affect each other and interact. When a mental health problem goes untreated, the substance abuse problem usually gets worse as well. And when alcohol or drug abuse increases, mental health problems usually increase too.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health: What comes first Substance abuse or the mental health problem?

Addiction is common in people with mental health problems. But although substance abuse and mental health disorders like depression and anxiety are closely linked, one does not directly cause the other.

Alcohol or drugs are often used to self-medicate the symptoms of depression or anxiety. Unfortunately, substance abuse causes side effects and in the long run worsens the very symptoms they initially numbed or relieved.

Alcohol and drug abuse can increase underlying risk for mental disorders. Mental disorders are caused by a complex interplay of genetics, the environment, and other outside factors. If you are at risk for a mental disorder, drug or alcohol abuse may push you over the edge.

Alcohol and drug abuse can make symptoms of a mental health problem worse. Substance abuse may sharply increase symptoms of mental illness or trigger new symptoms. Alcohol and drug abuse also interact with medications such as antidepressants, anti-anxiety pills, and mood stabilizers, making them less effective.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health: Recognizing co-occurring disorders or dual diagnosis

Doctor Akoury says that it may not be an easy task to diagnose a substance abuse problem and a co-occurring mental health disorder like depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. However it takes time to tease out what might be a mental disorder and what might be a drug or alcohol problem. Like it is said that the very first step of treatment of any kind of addiction is the acknowledgement of the problem, this as easy as it may be is one of the most difficult thing to most addicts. Many addicts are in denial and this is hindering treatment by greater percentage. Because of this problem it’s very difficult for addicts to admit how dependent they are on alcohol or drugs or how much the drugs affect their lives. Denial frequently occurs in mental disorders as well. The symptoms of depression or anxiety can be frightening, so you may ignore them and hope they go away. Or you may be ashamed or afraid of being viewed as weak if you admit the problem.

We appreciate that this can be very difficult for you but we want to encourage you that you are not alone and we want to help you in this journey of recovery. Many people have been there and all that you are going through they also went through but with the kind of professionalism approach we give we have heard countless testimonies of great recovery and they are now enjoying their lives free from addiction. You too can be one of them if only you can talk to us today. Pick up the phone and call right now because somebody is waiting to help you start the journey of great recovery. If you are wondering you chose AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, I will help you by giving brief insight of what you will get with us. When she realized that very many people were struggling with substance abuse and mental health with very little help coming, Dr. Akoury made a decision to create a medical center whose main objective is to transform each individual’s life through increasing awareness about health and wellness and by empowering individuals to find their own inner healing power. Dr. Akoury’s practice focuses on personalized medicine through healthy lifestyle choices that deal with primary prevention and underlying causes instead of patching up symptoms. This is the place to be for your recovery.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health: Co-Occurring Disorders