Typical Co-Occurring Disorders

Addiction strikes its victims with unexpectedharsh consequences. The symptomswithdrawal aftermath could destroy anyone’s psyche. It tears apart familiesthe health of the addict.

Coping with addiction involves daily struggles, which cause both physicalmental pain. People who are prone to psychological imbalances are at the highest risk of developing co-occurring disorders. Alternatively, the other disorders were there all alongaddiction was caused by those disorders or just made it a whole lot worse.

What Co-Occurring Disorders Are

Imagine your mental state is already unstable. You do not reach out for helpattempt to deal with it on your own. The situation worsens, though, so you turn to drugs.

Then, you develop a substance dependencybegin to abuse whatever you are craving. Now, you are at a stage at which you will get diagnosed with co-occurring disorders.

Receiving timelyadequate treatment is crucial to the recovery of patients with a dual diagnosis. The impact of both disorders usually entails more complications related to the patient’s physical & mental health.

Symptoms Of Dual Diagnosis

Depending on the type of psychologicaldrug condition the person is suffering from, the signssymptoms will significantly vary.

Even though there are no universal symptoms to look out for, some or all of these may be observed in someone with co-occurring disorders:

Drug-Induced Symptoms

• Unexpected behavior shifts
• Abusing drugsalcohol in hazardous circumstances
• Self-isolation
• Overall risky demeanor
• Partial or complete lack of control over the amounts of substances consumed
• Developing high tolerance toward abused drugs & alcohol
• Experiencing unmatched cravings for the desired substance, under the belief that they cannot live without it

Psychological Indicators

• Irrationalillogical thinking
• Lack of concentration & focus
• Suicidal thoughtsbehaviors

Typical Co-Occurring Disorders

Despite the numerous scenarios, which could lead to the appearance of co-occurring disorders, patients usually suffer from similar conditions.

Bipolar Disorder

It is one of the most quoted co-occurring disorders. Patients experience alternating episodes of maniadepression.

If the psychological condition induced substance abuse, then it was a means to reduce the intensity of the episodes. However, what happens indeed are more severeunpredictable fluctuations within the brain.

In fact, studies reveal that most patients with bipolar disorder will undoubtedly develop a drug addiction over time.

PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder is often the result of highly stressfullife-threatening events, such as car accidents, brutal crimes, or natural disasters. Any sort of psychological, physical, or emotional abuse could also cause PTSD.

Patients experience intense symptoms, which usually cause them to re-live traumatic events. Drugsalcohol are their means to cope with the unbearable symptoms.

However, the effects of substance abuse are counter-productive to relieving the pain. They intensify the negative emotionsinterrupt regular sleeping patterns.

For PTSD there is only one way to deal with it. Therapy of some kind. Whether it is EMDR or EFT … both highly effective in the treatment of PTSD … you cannot just ‘get over it’, no matter what they do in films.

Final Thoughts

If you notice someone’s behavior suddenly shifting, do not be afraid to approach them. You can just inquire … do not expect a great response, but at least you are showing somebody cares.

To say addictions are complicated is an understatement. Addicts require immediate treatmentconstant supervision.

Often, patients with co-occurring disorders will try to hide their conditions. It is crucial for their well-being that they feel comfortable to communicate their feelings. If you are an activepatient listener, you may be able to help someone take the first steps to sobriety.