If a person struggles with both addiction and one or more mental illnesses, then it is said to be the dual diagnosis. In such cases, the treatment of the patient becomes even more complicated which is needed to be handled with proper care and expertise. In some cases, the reason for addiction is the mental illness itself from which one is suffering; however, the symptoms of both addiction and mental illnesses may often overlap.

Such symptoms include extreme mood swings, inability to hold down to a relationship or a job, inability to control mood swings and other financial problems. It becomes really complicated for the patients to even perform simple daily tasks from eating, walking to talking. Numerous rehab centers across the globe are engaged in providing professional help to patients who are suffering from dual diagnosis as the disease has further complicated their life.

These rehabs have medical practitioners who are experienced in providing the right kind of treatment. They monitor the patient 24/7 to identify the root cause and then devise customized treatment accordingly. These treatments last for months in which a number of therapies, counseling sessions and the right dosage of medications are provided to eliminate the disease as well as the underlying issues to avoid further relapse.

Origin of Dual Diagnosis:
To provide effective treatment to the patient, it is highly important to detect the primary reason or cause of both the mental illness and addiction. As many illnesses, as well as addiction, are hereditary; however environmental and social pressure also leads to the sufferings.

There are cases when the patient is suffering from multiple diseases (mental and physical) that have given way to addiction. Not only this, he can be addicted to more than one drug, so it becomes highly difficult to identify the real cause.

Then there are mental illnesses and drug addiction that has similar symptoms which affect the diagnosis; for example, schizophrenia is a mental illness while marijuana is a drug but the symptoms for both of them are quite similar. Another example can be of heroine and anti-social personality disorder, in both of the cases the person get himself distant from the social life.

For the convenience and ease, rehab centers conduct special programs and sessions to understand the pattern which can help in diagnosing the problem.

Three Steps Treatment:
After analyzing the primary reasons and patterns, it is important to go for the appropriate treatment for both of the illnesses. Florida rehabs make sure that the person goes through the right treatment at the right time. Initially, the process of detox can take a few weeks to clear your system from addictive substances.

After that, the actual problem is detected, and then the person goes through the dual diagnosis treatment according to his/her specific needs and reasons. The proper therapy sessions are also arranged for the patient to provide them with the support which is highly required. They also arrange for group therapies, one-to-one counseling and family therapy to treat dual diagnosis patients.

Group therapy helps in providing fellowship and companionship to the patients in which they learn the coping skills together by sharing their life experiences. In one-to-one counseling, the addicted person dives into the past to detect the cause of the disease. It helps them in detecting the trauma and going through the healing process. Family therapy, on the other hand, helps in providing a strong support system which can help in healing as well.

Meanwhile, they are also provided with a combination of medicines which curbs the demand for drugs and helps in controlling symptoms of addiction as well as mental illness. The main aim of medicines is to provide neurotic balance in order to treat the disease.