Dual diagnosis is a term that describes the condition in which a person is affected by alcohol or drug abuse and also has a psychiatric or emotional disorder. This is a complex health situation that requires very special treatment if the patient is to experience any relief. The treatment is offered at dual diagnosis treatment facilities. If you or your friend or relative is suffering from this condition, you should take quick steps to ensure that they are accorded the most appropriate medical treatment. The earlier the condition is diagnosed and the appropriate medical attention offered, the better.
Note that not every substance abuse rehab center qualifies to be a dual diagnosis treatment facility. In most rehab centers that do not have dual diagnosis, medical experts may misdiagnose a person suffering from dual diagnosis as only suffering from drug abuse only. In case there is a misdiagnosis of dual diagnosis as a drug abuse problem, the patient is likely to revert to abuse of the drug after undergoing detoxification, or the treatment may not even work.
According to medical statistics, dual diagnosis is a rampant and common problem. Most people suffer from it but do not realize. Others suffer from it but the condition is not properly diagnosed because the symptoms of psychiatric and emotional disorders resemble those of addiction.
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