Substance Abuse and Co-Occurring Mental Disorders Essay Example
Description
A significant proportion of individuals with severe mental illness suffer from co-occurring disorders (Doweiko, 2015). Co-occurring disorders, formerly known as dual diagnosis, refer to the concurrent existence of two or more illnesses. For example, a person may have bipolar disorder and also battle substance abuse. The prolonged and persistent nature of these illnesses exacerbates the gravity of co-occurring disorders.
Clients who have both mental health disorders and co-occurring disorders face a range of challenges, including hospitalizations, social isolation, homelessness, family problems, physical and sexual victimization, severe medical illnesses, suicide, and premature death (U.S. Department of Health et al 2005). If any of these complications are present during the treatment of co-occurring disorders, it can further complicate the process.
Challenges in Working with Clients with Co-Occurring Disorders
The diagnosis of clients with c
...o-occurring disorders can be difficult in the field of mental health. These individuals often turn to substance use as a way to find relief. As a result, they may insist on specific substances to achieve feelings of calmness, energy, lack of disturbance or reduced restraint. This behavior then interferes with their prescribed medications (Doweiko 2015).
In brief, it can be difficult to assist individuals who persist in substance use. Furthermore, mental health clients with co-occurring disorders may encounter challenges even if they cease substance use, as symptoms of their mental health disorders persist. I might not be able to diagnose both conditions, making it extremely challenging for these individuals to cope with their substance-use difficulties while disregarding their mental health disorders.
Different Approaches to Overcoming Challenges when Working with Clients with Co-occurring Disorders in Mental Health
It is essential to actively engage in developing the treatment
plan, monitoring psychiatric symptoms, and supporting the recovery process while working with individuals who have co-occurring disorders. The primary goal should be to facilitate a consistent path towards recovering from addiction and implementing a comprehensive treatment plan. This approach will assist clients in prioritizing medications and avoiding substance abuse. Given the interconnectedness between mental health issues and substance use disorders, integrating combined treatment methods provides substantial advantages.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2005), it is recommended to treat both disorders simultaneously in order to minimize difficulties during the client's recovery process.
References
- Doweiko, H. E. (2015). Concepts of chemical dependency (9th edition). Stamford, CT: Cengage.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2005). Substance abuse treatment for persons with co-occurring disorders (DHHS Publication No. SMA 05-3992). Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64197/
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