Dual Diagnosis

dual diagnosis therapist near me
dual diagnosis therapist near me

What are the symptoms of dual diagnosis?

Your substance addiction and your mental health issue each have their own symptoms. So the symptoms of dual diagnosis will depend on which substances and mental health disorders are involved. Symptoms may vary widely because there are many different combinations of dual diagnoses.

Symptoms of a substance use disorder may include:

  • Withdrawal from your family and friends.
  • Difficulty maintaining focus.
  • Sudden changes in your behavior.
  • Engaging in risky behaviors.
  • Developing a high tolerance for the substance and/or having withdrawal symptoms.
  • Feeling like you need the substance to function.

Symptoms of a mental health disorder may include:

  • Extreme mood changes.
  • Confusion.
  • Problems concentrating.
  • Unable to function at work or school.
  • Avoiding social activities.
  • Thoughts of suicide.

Which disorder comes first in a dual diagnosis?

Like the chicken or the egg, it can be difficult to figure out which came first. Even though dual diagnoses occur together, it doesn’t mean one caused the other.

Substance use disorders may not directly cause mental health disorders (or vice versa), but there’s a clear connection between the two. Drugs and alcohol can worsen the symptoms of mental health conditions. And the continued use of these substances can increase your risk of developing a mental health disorder.

What causes dual diagnosis?

Researchers have a few theories about why substance use and mental health disorders occur together.

Shared common risk factors

Certain risk factors can contribute to both mental health conditions and substance use disorders. These risk factors may include:

  • Genetics: Mental health disorders and substance use disorders can both run in families. Research shows many genes may contribute to your risk of developing either condition.
  • Environmental factors: Environmental factors such as stress and trauma can be passed down through generations. These can contribute to the development of a substance use disorder or a mental health disorder.

Mental health disorders may contribute to substance use disorders

If you have a mental health disorder, you may self-medicate. This means you use alcohol or drugs to try to feel better or cope. Although these substances may temporarily help symptoms, they can make them worse over time. Mental health disorders may also change the way the “reward” centers of your brain work. This can make it more likely you’ll become addicted.

Substance use disorders may contribute to mental health disorders

Alcohol, drugs and other substances can trigger changes to your brain’s structure and function. This can make it more likely you’ll develop a mental health disorder.