Dual Diagnosis is the combination of substance abuse and a mental disorder (mental illness). Dual Diagnosis is sometimes referred to as Co-existing, Co-occurring or Concurrent Disorders, Co-morbidity and Co-occurring Illness.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) over 50% of teenagers with a substance abuse diagnosis also have a mental illness (mental disorder). Males with a mental disorder are at a higher risk to also abuse alcohol or drugs.

Treatment for dual diagnosis requires professional help. It is important that both the substance abuse and the mental disorder be treated together. There are excellent programs that provide substance abuse treatment but do not treat mental disorders and vice versa. Although these treatment programs may be successful they will not work for someone with dual diagnosis.

Treatment for dual diagnosis includes psychotherapy, medication and support groups.

NAMI suggests special peer groups based on the principle of treating both disorders together should be developed at the community level. Individuals who develop positive social networking have a much better chance of controlling their illnesses. Healthy recreational activities are extremely important.

Triumph Youth Services provides treatment for teens with dual diagnosis. They offer a small, highly structured family-type environment for youth. This family-like community promotes a social environment that takes on both therapeutic and healing properties instead of maintaining negative behaviors. This structure, paired with the Positive Peer Culture model, individual, group and family therapy is very successful in treating substance abuse and mental illness (dual diagnosis).

The clinicians at Triumph Youth Services are highly trained, licensed and have extensive experience working with adolescent youth.

Call today.

Reference
http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=23049
http://www.nami.org/PrinterTemplate.cfm?Template=/ContentManagement/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=13691