A person who has both an alcohol or drug problem and an
emotional/psychiatric problem is said to have a dual diagnosis. To recover fully, the person needs treatment for both problems.
How Common Is Dual Diagnosis?
Dual diagnosis is more common than you might imagine. According to a report published
by the Journal of the American Medical Association :
* Thirty-seven percent of alcohol abusers and fifty-three percent
of drug abusers also have at least one serious mental illness. * Of all people diagnosed as mentally ill, 29 percent abuse
either alcohol or drugs.
What Kind of Mental or Emotional Problems are Seen in People with Dual Diagnosis?
The
following psychiatric problems are common to occur in dual diagnosis - i.e., in tandem with alcohol or drug dependency. ·
Depressive disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder. · Anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder,
panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and phobias. · Other psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia and personality
disorders.
