Statistics indicate that mental illness has a profound
influence on drug and alcohol addiction.
Those who suffer from mental illness are far more likely to use and
abuse addictive substances than those that do not have a mental illness. It has been published that nearly 66% of
people with a substance dependence problem have at least one mental disorder
and 51% of people with a mental disorder have at least one substance abuse
problem.
Historically, mental illness and addiction have been
diagnosed and treated separately from one another. The correlation of mental disorders and drug
or alcohol abuse had not been considered until recently. Studies have demonstrated that addressing and
treating underlying mental disorders is extremely effective in the
rehabilitation and long term sobriety of drug and alcohol addicts.
Those who suffer from mental illness have been known to
self-medicate with intoxicating substances, many of which are addictive in
nature. The nature of alcohol and many
drugs is to alter brain chemistry. Long
term abuse of such substances compounds the problems associated with mental illness
and thus perpetuates the cycle of drug and alcohol use and abuse.
Co-occurring disorders can be addressed and properly treated
in a treatment center that employs experienced, trained professionals in the
fields of mental illness and addiction. By
having qualified staff on site and within the facility at all times, a
cooperative, personalized rehabilitation and treatment program and be developed
and implemented.
In cases of severe
mental illness and drug or alcohol addiction, communication, structure and
follow up are essential to ensure successful recovery. Also, because many mental disorders are often
treated with medication, a trained staff that specializes in addiction recovery
can coordinate successful implementation of a treatment program with full
support and cooperation from the mental health staff.
Ongoing therapy is an essential part of recovery from drug
and alcohol addiction. Those who suffer
from mental illness also experience immense benefit from psychotherapy couple
with an appropriate regime consisting of medication and support. By coupling therapy to treat drug or alcohol
addiction with therapy to address and relieve the symptoms of mental illness,
the rate of progress can be expedited and the beneficial results enhanced.
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