Dual Diagnosis: It’s Not Just About the Drinking
Sometimes we drink to forget our problems, or to make us feel relaxed, to make us feel happy. Have you ever wondered why those feelings of nervousness or sadness are there? Sometimes we can’t shake those feelings off and we self-medicate with alcohol. Well, this could mean that there is something else going on inside of us. Having a mental illness and an alcohol problem is pretty common in many alcoholics.
When we are diagnosed with a mental illness and alcoholism, it is called dual diagnosis. This can explain a lot about why we feel the way we do and why we drink. It’s common to see some alcoholics diagnosed with:
- Depression
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
This situation is like the chicken and the egg; No one knows which one came first. In some people, the mental illness was present and then they began to drink, and for others, the drinking caused the mental illness. Either way, this can lead to problems for the person. Addressing only the mental illness or the alcohol problem will not work. Seeking dual-diagnosis treatment at an alcohol rehab center will help address both the mental issues and the alcoholism at the same time. At Recovery Connection, addiction counselors will link you to a quality alcohol rehab facility with top notch dual-diagnosis tracks. You don’t have to deal with this alone. Let Recovery Connection help you start your journey to healing.
