Only fifty percent of drug rehabs offer a dual diagnosis programs. Furthermore, according to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Treatment Episode Data Set, most of the drug addiction treatment centers that offer comprehensive dual diagnosis programs are privately owned, not state funded and of that number not all comprehensive programs are integrated sufficiently.

Until the last decade or so, dual diagnosis was typically not recognized by treatment professionals. Today, the number of people entering treatment with a mental health disorder continues to grow. In 2002, it was estimated that 40 percent of alcohol abusers also suffered from an independent mood disorder, and 60% of drug abusers suffered from a form of mood disorder. It has been noted that more women suffer from a mental health disorder and substance abuse than men.

A drug rehab that offers comprehensive dual diagnosis programs should have a multidisciplinary team of addiction certified physicians and behavioral health nurses with expert knowledge of mental health disorders. Therapists must be experienced in mental health disorder treatment protocols as well as addiction treatment protocols or best practices.

The ability of a person suffering from both a mental health disorder (such as PTSD, anxiety, or panic disorder for example), and a substance abuse problem to succeed in long term abstinence and recovery will be much more likely if both health issues are properly diagnosed and treated simultaneously.

A comprehensive dual diagnosis program will provide the patient with:
• Regular psychiatric evaluations
• Individualized treatment plan
• Dual diagnosis education
• Medication management education
• Group and Individual counseling (using a variety of therapies)
• Addiction education
• Life skills training
• Exercise and nutritional counseling
• Spiritual workshops or 12 Step meetings
• Individualized after care plan

Without addressing the problems and symptoms of the mental health disorder and without a thorough understanding of drug and alcohol triggers, the person in a drug rehab for dual diagnosis is at greater risk for relapse and a worsening of the mental health disorder symptoms.

There is an endless cycle of addiction. For example, the addict is depressed and longs to be free of those feelings. In desperation, the addict uses drugs or alcohol to alleviate the symptoms. After a short period of time, the alcohol or drugs no longer provide relief and the body has grown accustomed to the drugs and alcohol and demands more, and the symptoms of the depression worsen.

This cycle is repeated until the cycle of addiction is broken, drug use is abandoned, the patient receives a medically supervised detox, proper diagnosis of the mental health disorder is made, stabilizing medication is prescribed if needed, and addiction treatment is obtained.

It is a complex process to accurately diagnose someone who has both a mental health disorder and a substance abuse problem. This is why it is important for the patient to choose a drug treatment center that is able to manage his or her mental health disorder. The first step is always to stop using substances through the aid of a medically supervised detox unit.

This article was contributed by Lakeview Health Systems, a nationally recognized treatment center located in Jacksonville, Florida.

There are thousands of addiction treatment centers across the country. Each one has its own unique way of approaching addiction. It is important that as you are looking at centers you take into consideration some of the best practices that have evolved over the decades of addiction treatment.

There are several elements that comprise addiction treatment. The first is detox. Before an addict (alcoholic or drug abuser) can be treated for addiction, the patient must go through alcohol detox or drug detox. Why? While the body is in the grips of addiction, rational thought and behavior are not possible. Alcohol and drugs distort a person’s brain function, bodily function, emotional function, and intellectual function. In a phrase, addiction impacts the brain, the body, and the mind.

A medically based detox, which is considered a best practice, can ease the difficult, uncomfortable, physical and psychological experience of detox. Not only will it ease the discomfort of alcohol or drug detox, it can ensure that the process is safe as it can be dangerous to simply quit alcohol or drugs cold turkey.

It is important to understand a treatment center’s approach to detox and to their philosophy of utilization of medicines during this period. Best practices demonstrate that prescribing drugs to help a patient move through detox is fine, though there is debate about keeping a person on a drug after the detox process has been completed. A quality drug rehab program will not just substitute one addiction for another. Medication will be used to ease the detox process and the patient will be weaned off all medication, except those for mental health disorders.

Following detox, a formal addiction treatment program is needed to address the underlying reasons for the development of the addiction. This process includes addiction education, group therapy, individual therapy, individualized treatment programs, regular evaluations, multidisciplinary teams, life skills training, nutrition and exercise education, relapse prevention, individualized aftercare plans, and dual diagnosis treatment when needed.

Providing all of these elements requires trained medical and therapeutic staff. Check to see whether the treatment center you are considering has addiction certified physicians or Master’s level therapists, psychiatric nurses and clinicians. Despite the growing number of people who suffer from a mental health disorder and substance abuse, many treatment programs cannot handle the needs of the dually diagnosed. Best practices are based upon decades of research. Today’s researchers understand far more about addiction and brain function than thirty years ago.

It is beneficial to anyone seeking treatment to ask questions related to the elements of treatment programs. Breaking through addictive behavior and thinking takes skill and education. If given the proper tools based upon best practices, addiction treatment works.

This article was contributed by Lakeview Health Systems, a nationally recognized treatment center located in Jacksonville, Florida.

There is a continuing debate in the United States about the use of Cannabis as a medicine and its status legally. A study recently published in the Archives of General Psychiatry may present evidence to help those wishing to keep Cannabis off the streets.

Analyzing the literature and studies from around the world, Matthew Large and others found that there was a statistical correlation between the use of Cannabis and an earlier onset of psychosis.

They found that on average, the onset of psychosis for those that used Cannabis happened 2.7 years earlier versus those that did not use Cannabis. They also found that those that could be categorized as broadly abusing substances experienced an onset of psychosis 2 years earlier than non-substance abusers.

Though they were clear to point out that Cannabis use does not necessarily cause psychosis, they did find that the aggregate studies showed that there was a causal relationship for some users.

The meta-study did not cover any of the medicinal uses of Cannabis but the conclusions could help anti-marijuana groups fighting to ensure that the substance continues to be banned.

Source: Cannabis Use and Earlier Onset of Psychosis, Archive of General Psychiatry, June 2011.

Alcoholism takes many forms. One of the primary signals that one is an alcoholic is frequent “binge” drinking. The National Institute of Alcoholism and Alcohol has adopted the definition of binge drinking to be: a pattern of drinking alcohol that brings blood alcohol concentration up to 0.08 gram percent or above. This typically equates to consuming 5 or more drinks (for the average male) or 4 or more drinks (for the average female) within a 2 hour time span.

Of course not everyone who binge drinks is an alcoholic, but as the frequency of binge drinking increases, the likelihood of slipping into alcoholism also rises.

Though treating someone who is on the road to alcoholism with a hard-stop treatment center is certainly an option, there is a growing recognition of chemicals and supplements that incorporate those chemicals which can help reduce ones appetite for alcohol and thus lower the desire to binge.

Daidzin is one such chemical compound. It is considered an isoflavone and is found in both the Japanese plant Kudzu as well as in soybean leaves. The compound has antidipsotropic effects which means that it suppresses ethanol intake (the desire to drink alcohol). It has been used as a traditional Chinese herbal remedy for treating alcoholism.

Daidzin comes in a number of forms, including as an herbal extract of the Kudzu plant and more recently in a product known as Sobrexa.

In a study conducted by the Harvard Medical School, in which they gave a group of college students either a diadzin extract or a placebo and monitored their drinking over a two week period, they found that those taking the extract consumed significantly less alcohol even though they were exposed to the same opportunities. Dr. Scott Lukas stated, “The results were dramatic. Those who took the herbal extract drank significantly less than those on the placebo. They drank an average of one or two beers while the placebo group drank three or four.”

Though the diadzin extract, and its associated forms, is not a complete cure to help stop drinking alcohol all together, it appears that it does significantly reduce one’s desire to over-drink. If reducing the desire to binge drink can help one take control over their alcohol consumption, then looking into a diadzin treatment regiment may certainly be worthwhile.

The above article was contributed by The Last Call Program. The Last Call Program provides an at home alcohol treatment regimen that incorporates herbal supplements (including Sobrexa) as well as exercise programs and counseling. The Last Call Program was developed by Dr. Frank Gibson who ran the largest integrative clinic of its kind in the country.

Substance abuse can be caused by different factors. Some people succumb out of curiosity, social acceptance, depression or self-destruction. It also takes many different forms. One can be addicted to Nicotine, Cocaine, Heroin, Marijuana or many other substances.

Whatever reason, when drug addicts first ventured into the dangerous world of addictive drugs, none had a clear view of the things they were getting themselves into – particularly the agony and despair that takes over their lives. Even if they were trying to destroy themselves, they never realized the pit they’ve entered until they are already trapped and powerless. Before they know it, their life is a mess and drug rehab is severely needed.

It’s sad that many drug users commit crimes such as theft, prostitution or selling drugs in order to support their uncontrollable needs. While intoxicated, some become violent and inflict harm on themselves just to have a closer feel of reality. Even worse, sometimes they harm other s.

Aside from the physical damages substance abuse brings, its effects on the person’s emotional and spiritual well-being is more devastating. Families are torn apart, friendships are shattered and their souls left empty. More heart-breaking is that our society often presents the evils these abusers are committing, but they fail to expose the other side of the story. People don’t want to be around intoxicated people for fear of being harmed. They are left to rot alone in their own misery thus causing them to seek more refuge in drugs to cover up the pain.

Often what society loses sight of is that the addict is a victim as well— a victim of losing control of their actions and the desire to preserve themselves. We can’t always focus on the harm they bring others but need to consider the harm they bring to themselves as well… especially if these are people we love and care for. They need our help.

Will you condemn a cancer patient for being sick? Obviously not. The best course of action is to take him to the hospital and have him treated. Will you blame a dead person for not being able to rise up? The same goes for drug abusers. Why bury them in shame and isolation when there’s still hope to get their lives back? Wouldn’t it be better if that cancer patient gets well and starts again with new strength to enjoy life and make up for lost time with his loved ones? Of course.

Drug addiction should be treated the same way—as a disease. It can be cured if proper medication and attention is given. Fortunately, there are many drug rehab facilities out there dedicated to restore people’s lives.

Time spent in these drug rehab institutions or homes can help them overcome their addiction and come out physically, emotionally and most importantly spiritually healed. The approaches taken by treatment centers may differ but they are all headed toward one goal – curing and healing the addict.

If you have a loved one suffering from drug addiction, the best way to show your love and concern is to encourage them to redeem themselves. This can be achieved in several ways and rehabilitation houses are definitely worth considering. Find a place that cares not only for their bodies but for their souls. It’s never too late to make things better. Even in movies, happy endings are usually depicted by scenes of families being reunited, lessons being learned and second chances being given. This, too, can happen in real life.

Learn more about the benefits a trusted drug rehab program can offer.