Dual Diagnosis; Eating Disorders, Drug Addiction and Alcoholism
January 2, 2008
The actual definition of dual diagnosis is the co-existence of a mental health disorder and drug addiction or alcoholism. The most effective dual diagnosis treatment generally will take place within a drug rehab or addiction treatment program with a strong psychiatric component. The mental health disorder and drug addiction / alcoholism should be treated simultaneously, while realizing the process of recovery is gradual.
Different Definition for Dual Diagnosis
The type of dual diagnosis I want to bring to light is that of the coexistence of an eating disorder and drug addiction or alcoholism. Patients like this are admitted to drug rehab and addiction treatment each and everyday. Unfortunately, drug rehab programs and alcohol rehab programs are not always equipped to treat the eating disorder and in many cases, do not even diagnose it correctly.
An Eating Disorder and Its Consequences
January 2, 2008
If you suffer from an eating disorder like Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa or some other eating disorder, it is not only a problem in itself, but it could be the origin of a series of medical complications that make the eating disorder worse and in the long run might cause irreparable physical damage.The most frequent medical complications of eating disorders are linked to damage fundamentally caused to the body by a strict diet - protein-calorie deficit and weight loss. Elimination and weight control behaviour like self-induced vomiting, inadequate laxative and diuretics use are causes of other complications.
When there is an excessive weight increase, medical complications of obesity can result.
To be more precise, the worst complication of an eating disorder is obviously death. According to long-term studies carried out in different countries, it has been found that the mortality rate of an eating disorder, Anorexia Nervosa, patients is between 4% and 18%. It is a death risk that can be compared to that of drug addiction.
Death during the eating disorder, Anorexia Nervosa, is usually caused by cardiac, pulmonary and renal damage, linked to grave malnutrition, but also linked to self-aggressive behaviour that is found in roughly 20% of patients.
Other classic complications of an eating disorder with malnutrition are: amenorrhoea (menstrual cycle interruption), anemia (red blood cell diminution), osteoporosis: loss of bone density, muscular weakness, insomnia, hair loss, body hair increase, skin dryness, low body temperature, irregular heart beat, liver damage, kidney damage, damage to the immune system. The risk of getting gall stones increases.
Eating Disorders and Addiction Treatment
December 20, 2007
Basic Facts About Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are extreme expressions of a range of weight and food issues experienced by both men and women. They include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and compulsive overeating. All are serious emotional problems that can have life-threatening consequences. Some people believe an eating disorder is an addiction and as such can be treated in an addiction treatment program, others believe in psychiatric hospitalization. Either can work.
The defining features of Anorexia Nervosa are an intense and irrational fear of body fat and weight gain, an iron determination to become thinner and thinner, and a misperception of body weight and shape to the extent that the person may feel or see “fat” even when emaciation is clear to others. These psychological characteristics contribute to drastic weight loss and defiant refusal to maintain a healthy weight for height and age. Many that are anorexic may also have a drug addiction as it relates to amphetamine, cocaine, diet pills etc. An addiction treatment program may be the addiction treatment of choice for the drug addiction and then referral to an eating disorder treatment program.
Bulimia Nervosa is characterized by self-perpetuating and self-defeating cycles of binge-eating and purging. During a “binge,” the person consumes a large amount of food in a rapid, automatic, and helpless fashion. This may anesthetize hunger, anger, and other feelings, but it eventually creates physical discomfort and anxiety about weight gain. Thus, the person “purges”the food eaten, usually by inducing vomiting and by resorting to a combination of restrictive dieting, excessive exercising, laxatives, diuretics, cocaine or other drugs. Because of the abuse of these drugs, addiction treatment may be necessary. If addiction treatment is necessary, more from a detox perspective if anything, referral to an appropriate eating disorder treatment program may be appropriate.
Addiction Treatment and Trauma
December 19, 2007
The synergy between drug addiction, addiction treatment and trauma has presented numerous addiction treatment challenges for therapists and counselors for decades. Years ago, the prevailing wisdom was, “Addiction treatment first, wait for at least a year of recovery, then treat the trauma.” The problem was that people with the dual diagnosis of addiction and PTSD were rarely able to attain a year of abstinence. When they did, other, often more life threatening problems arose including suicidal thoughts, self harm, eating disorders, high risk sexual behaviors and florid mood disorders. Treating these issues sequentially seemed impossible.
There have been many inroads made in the treatment of dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorders in the past decade. We now understand that an integrative approach is necessary to unravel the complex knots that addictions and trauma create. Instead of the old “either/or” paradigm that used a linear, goal based framework, we have a “both/and” paradigm that challenges the clinician and treatment team to work closely together, recognizing the interconnectedness that occurs among untreated trauma, addiction interaction and relapse patterns which are so common for our clients.
Drug Addiction in the Family
December 19, 2007
Drug addiction is a complex issue. It affects every member of the family and can have a lasting impact on their lives. The effect on family members varies from person to person and family to family.
How Does an Drug Addiction or Alcohol Addiction Develop?
Drug addiction is a process rather than an event. In the beginning, people often don’t experience any difficulties. As their use continues, they may begin to focus more on the alcohol, drugs or gambling than they do on the other areas of their lives. This process is often influenced by a number of factors, including the culture they live in, life events, their biological makeup and their relationships with family and friends.
Researchers have looked at genetics, environment, and the combination of these two to explain how dependence develops. Right now, it’s believed that some people are genetically susceptible to becoming dependent. But this by itself is not enough to develop an addiction. A person’s life circumstances play an important role in determining whether or not a person becomes dependent.
Gay Drug Rehab Centers
October 18, 2007
Addiction treatment centers offer an incredible start for gay men and lesbians on their road to recovery. These drug rehabs or addiction treatment programs are capable of providing quality addiction treatment for drugs, alcohol, eating disorders, sex addiction and dual diagnosis. Depending on the needs of the individual, certain alcohol rehabs may prove more helpful than others. It is the responsibility of each person to do their homework in gathering information to determine the most effective addtiction treatment program for them. Addiction treatment works for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders the same as any heterosexual.
Gay. Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Youth
October 17, 2007
Data on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Youth
According to the Massachusetts Youth Risk Behavior Survey GLBTQ are significantly more likely than their peers to face threats, attempt suicide, and take risks. Risk behaviors among GLBTQ youth are directly related to the violence and harassment they often face. However, the work of programs that create safety in schools and communities throughout Massachusetts and an increasing cultural acceptance of GLBT people have contributed to significant improvements in the lives of GLBT youth.
Which Came First: The Drug Addiction or The Eating Disorder?
October 12, 2007
When a person enters drug rehab or an addiction treatment facility and is diagnosed with a drug addiction and eating disorder the question arises which addiction developed first and how do you treat two addictions?
First, let us define an eating disorder as the quality of one’s thinking as it relates to food and weight and not how much someone weighs. Then, we may take a look at various behaviors and address other criteria. In most cases, one’s thinking regarding food and weight became distorted way before they ever began using drugs or alcohol. It is not uncommon that after a period of time of trying to achieve certain self determined goals through binging, purging or restricting and not achieving those goals, that the person would turn to drugs as a means to accelerate the process or deal with the emotional whirlwind of depression, shame or self hatred. At this point we have an eating disorder and drug addiction going full throttle in an attempt to by the person to gain control. It rarely happens and is described as the “great illusion” by most treatment professionals.
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