Drug addiction and alcoholism are commonly associated with mental disorders. According to one estimate, in any given year about 10 million individuals suffer from drug addiction, alcoholism and mental disorders across the United States. Nevertheless, treatment for dual diagnosis has been administered in separate services--a separation that has its roots planted in days of old.

Redesigning addiction treatment and psychiatric services

There have been attempts in recent years to address this problem by restructuring and integrating addiction treatment services and psychiatric services. One such attempt is the implementation of specialized dual diagnosis treatment programs, where, ideally, treatment can be provided in one facility. Currently a large proportion of mental health and addiction treatment facilities offer such dual diagnosis programs, perhaps indicating that change is upon us.

Improvement in Dual Diagnosis Treatment Programs

Despite the enthusiastic reception of these dual diagnosis programs in various settings, empirical evaluations of some of the earlier treatment programs in mental health settings produced equivocal results. From identified results, one can conclude, that while integration of services for treating dual diagnosis clients is a desirable goal; it is not sufficient. This conclusion is further supported by the growing recognition of the special needs of the dual diagnosis clients. Dual diagnosis is associated with increased vulnerability to occupational and housing instability, victimization, and medical complications such as HIV infection and hepatitis. Meeting the special needs of dual diagnosis clients in these domains requires additional services and, often, intensive case-management--resources that are not available at many substance abuse or addiction treatment programs.

More recent studies of comprehensive dual diagnosis programs in which at least some of these special needs of client are met, have produced encouraging results supporting the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of dual diagnosis treatment programs. It is not clear, however, to what extent the dissemination of dual diagnosis programs across various addiction treatment facilities in recent years has been matched by growth of these other needed services.

Know Your Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program

What we do know is that dual diagnosis treatment programs exist in most private drug rehab and alcohol rehab programs today. The merging od addiction treatment services and psychiatric treatment services has made for a much more effective addiction treatment setting. The ability to provide the dual diagnosis patient with detox services for their drug addiction or alcoholism to be followed by a psychiatric evaluation and treatment has opened the road for recovery for many dual diagnosed patients. As with any addiction treatment program that claims to have a dual diagnosis treatment program, take the time to educate yourself as to the comprehensiveness of the dual diagnosis treatment component. If you are not sure what to ask for you can call the dual diagnosis helpline at 1-800-511-9225 and they will assist you. At the bare minimum, the dual diagnosis treatment component should have a competent psychiatrist, trained in addiction medicine. If you are looking for a dual diagnosis treatment program, I would suggest looking at www.lakeviewhealth.com. In addition to a detox program and dual diagnosis treatment program, Lakeview also has a full compliment of addiction treatment services.