Those who have ever taken a yoga class know firsthand the sense of calmness and well-being that follows, and they’ve probably experienced the sensation of lightness in the muscles brought on by long, gentle stretches. The health benefits are well-documented, but its benefits for those in addiction recovery go far beyond improving physical health. Any […]
Bipolar disorder is a serious mood disorder that’s characterized by alternating episodes of extremely high and very low moods. According to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, bipolar disorder affects around 5.7 million adult Americans each year, and it’s the sixth leading cause of disability in the world.1 Bipolar disorder is the sixth leading cause […]
When someone who suffers from a mental health disorder also has a substance abuse problem, they have what is called co-occurring disorders, also commonly called dual diagnosis. Co-occurring disorders could come about as an individual with mental illness subsequently develops a dependency on drugs or alcohol as they seek relief from unpleasant psychiatric symptoms. It […]
What is Dual Diagnosis When a person has a substance abuse problem and also has accompanying mental health issues, this is known as a dual diagnosis. Also known as co-existing disorders, a person might find themselves chemically dependent on drugs or alcohol while also experiencing a disorder like depression, anxiety, or bipolar. Addiction specialists need […]
Drug addiction is a complex issue, and so is mental illness. Both disorders display serious and persistent symptoms. When the best treatment options are being decided, it’s crucial that all issues are included. An addiction treatment program that addresses all these points results in effective recovery and helps to prevent relapse. The Effects of Addiction […]
The National Alliance on Mental Illness defines mental illness as a condition that affects an individual’s thoughts, feelings or mood and which may impact the ability to relate to other people.1 Genetics, environment and lifestyle are all factors that determine whether someone will develop a mental disorder. The 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and […]
The term dual diagnosis refers to a condition in which a person has both a mental illness and a substance abuse disorder simultaneously. Each condition worsens the other, intensifying symptoms and complicating recovery. A dual diagnosis approach offers integrated treatment options, which significantly improves outcomes over traditional therapy approaches that do not differentiate the two […]
For a long time, people experiencing the symptoms of mental health disorders where treated separately from those needing help with drug or alcohol abuse. Mental illnesses were sometimes ignored or those with overlapping conditions were frequently denied treatment for their psychiatric disorders until the substance abuse was under control. This began to change in the […]
Studies indicate that between forty and seventy percent of those with bipolar disorder also have a current or previous history of substance abuse. Compared with those without a co-occurring disorder, those with co-occurring illnesses may derive less benefit from treatment for their mood disorder, recover more slowly from episodes, spend more time in hospitals and […]
When speculating about the damage that alcohol does to the body, the kidneys are usually the first organ that comes to mind. Alcohol does greatly reduce kidney functionality, but there are more than 200 alcohol-induced diseases, and many of them primarily involve the heart. There are also additional ways that alcohol withdrawal can be harmful […]
