Dual Diagnosis Drug Treatment

Alcohol and drug treatment centers have existed since the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, however at that time they were not called drug rehab centers or alcohol treatment programs, they were called “asylums” and the disease of addiction and alcoholism (as defined by the American Medical Association) was not seen as being a disease or an illness at all. It was wrongly categorized as a disorder no different from schizophrenia or other psychoses, which is why many alcohol rehab and drug addiction treatment centers have their roots in mental health hospitals and mental health treatment facilities. To this day, drug rehabilitation and alcohol rehab programs in hospitals are often directly related with the mental health treatment and behavioral healthcare treatment programs offered, or are combined into dual diagnosis treatment centers. The disease concept of alcoholism and drug addiction has only existed since the 1950’s, and even then took some time to become widely accepted, it’s growth coinciding directly with the growth of twelve-step recovery programs, the first and most well known of which being AA or Alcoholics Anonymous. Today the field of addiction treatment - alcohol and drug rehabilitation and drug rehab centers - has grown into a nation full of treatment centers, the majority based on 12-step methodologies, and calling themselves alcohol rehabs, drug rehabs, recovery centers, retreat centers for drug and alcohol rehabilitation, drug treatment programs and a slew of other terms that all describe the same thing - safe, supportive environments for recovery from alcoholism and drug addiction.

Before choosing a drug treatment center, drug rehab center or alcohol rehab center, you should educate yourself about the different types of addiction treatment centers and rehabilitation programs available. Please explore our site to find comprehensive information on drug addiction, alcoholism, sex addiction, eating disorders, and dual diagnosis. We recommend speaking with a counselor to determine which addiction treatment center is best for you or your loved one. The first step on the road to recovery is admitting there is a problem and reaching out for help. For free drug and alcohol abuse assessment and guidance in finding a treatment center, call us at 1-800-511-9225.

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Medical detox is a process in which individuals are systematically and safely withdrawn from addicting drugs, usually under the care of a physician. Drinking alcohol or using drugs causes physical dependence over time in some people. Stopping the use of alcohol or drugs results in physical withdrawal from these substances in people with a physical dependence. The drug detox process is designed both to treat the acute physiological effects of stopping drug use and to remove residual toxins in the body left as a result of using the chemicals found in drugs and/or alcohol.

Detoxification can be done on both an outpatient basis (mental health centers, addiction clinics or private clinics) or inpatient (hospital or residential treatment center). Inpatient detoxification allows the patient to be closely monitored, avoids exposure to the substance of abuse, and can speed up the process of detoxification. Outpatient detoxification has the advantage of being less disruptive to the patient’s life and less expensive. The choice of setting depends on many factors such as the drug of abuse, amount and length of history of abuse, psychosocial issues, patient’s age, and co-existing medical and/or psychiatric conditions among others.

While addiction treatment centers often have their own detox program, others make arrangements for their patients with a detox program at nearby sites, including hospitals and clinics. There are licensed detoxification facilities in most areas of the United States.

Detoxification programs can be found by going to www.99detox.com or calling 1-800-99-DETOX.

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Eating is controlled by many factors, including appetite, food availability, family, peer, and cultural practices, and attempts at voluntary control. Dieting to a body weight leaner than needed for health is highly promoted by current fashion trends, sales campaigns for special foods, and in some activities and professions. Eating disorders involve serious disturbances in eating behavior, such as extreme and unhealthy reduction of food intake or severe overeating, as well as feelings of distress or extreme concern about body shape or weight. Researchers are investigating how and why initially voluntary behaviors, such as eating smaller or larger amounts of food than usual, at some point move beyond control in some people and develop into an eating disorder. Studies on the basic biology of appetite control and its alteration by prolonged overeating or starvation have uncovered enormous complexity, but in the long run have the potential to lead to new pharmacological treatments for eating disorders.

Eating disorders are not due to a failure of will or behavior; rather, they are real, treatable medical illnesses in which certain maladaptive patterns of eating take on a life of their own. The main types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.(1) A third type, binge-eating disorder, has been suggested but has not yet been approved as a formal psychiatric diagnosis.(2) Eating disorders frequently develop during adolescence or early adulthood, but some reports indicate their onset can occur during childhood or later in adulthood.(3)

Eating disorders frequently co-occur with other psychiatric disorders such as depression, substance abuse, and anxiety disorders.(1) In addition, people who suffer from eating disorders can experience a wide range of physical health complications, including serious heart conditions and kidney failure which may lead to death. Recognition of eating disorders as real and treatable diseases, therefore, is critically important.

Females are much more likely than males to develop an eating disorder. Only an estimated 5 to 15 percent of people with anorexia or bulimia(4) and an estimated 35 percent of those with binge-eating disorder(5) are male.

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As we know, there are high rates of co-occurrence between addiction and psychiatric disorders ( dual diagnosis ). Often the disconnected addiction treatment and mental health treatment systems do not correctly diagnose these co-occurring conditions. Even if appropriate diagnosis is made of these co-occurring conditions, there are many obstacle present to receiving effective dual diagnosis treatment.

It is possible for patients with drug addiction and mental health problems to receive effective treatment. They must first enter a drug detox program associated with a drug rehab capable of treating drug addiction and mental health problems concurrently. This type of integrated dual diagnosis treatment approach provides much better results than treating the issues separately. Select a drug rehab with a board certified psychiatrist, who also understands the dynamics associated with drug addiction. Lastly, make sure the drug rehab has staff that fully understands the dynamics associated with treating someone with a dual diagnosis.

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New Initiative Targets Young Adults with Message of Hope

(Washington, DC)—The White House National Drug Control Policy Director, John Walters, today announced a new campaign targeting young adult methamphetamine (meth) users. The Anti-Meth Campaign, coordinated through the ONDCP’s National Youth Anti-Drug Campaign, includes advertising and public education outreach to raise awareness about the dangers of meth and provide information about the effectiveness and availability of meth treatment. The main target audience for the Campaign is young adults, ages 18 to 34.

“We’ve made great progress in recent years on the meth addiction problem. Domestic lab production of meth is down and use rates are declining,” Walters said. “But in certain areas of this country, meth continues to have devastating effects on users, their families, and communities. We must continue to raise awareness about the extreme negative consequences associated with this drug, while providing those in its grip with the treatment and support they need. This Campaign is an important step in our ongoing effort against meth use.”

Methamphetamine is an addictive stimulant drug that can be taken orally, injected, snorted, or smoked. Often called “speed” or “ice,” meth is available as a crystal-like powdered substance or in large rock-like chunks. Meth users are prone to violence and neglectful behavior that can affect their children and neighbors. The chemicals used in meth production are flammable and highly toxic, posing a threat to both the environment and residents.

ONDCP is launching its Anti-Meth Campaign this week in eight States where meth prevalence and meth addictiontreatment admissions rates are high (Alaska, Washington, California, Oregon, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky). The Campaign is expected to run through March 2008 in those markets. The Campaign will extend to four additional States through print advertising (Minnesota, Wyoming, Alabama, and Utah), and nationally through news media outreach and online resources.

According to the 2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 10.4 million Americans age 12 and older have tried methamphetamine at least once in their lifetimes. While teen meth use is down significantly in recent years and past month use is less than one percent, young adults continue to use. In fact, a mong 18 to 25 year olds, there are nearly 200,000 current meth users. The Anti-Meth Campaign is directed toward 18-34 year-olds, whose meth use tends to be higher and who are often key influencers of teens.

In the Spring of 2007, ONDCP issued a solicitation for meth advertising. The process was open to organizations willing to donate fully produced ads, and more than 100 submissions were received. Advertising materials were then subjected to a rigorous screening process, which included review by subject matter experts in the fields of social marketing, advertising, and public health. Additionally, the television ads were individually tested among 1,500 members of the target audience to ensure ad believability and relevance. Television advertising included in the Anti-Meth Campaign was donated by the Partnership for a Drug Free America, The Meth Project, and the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference. ONDCP created supplemental print, radio, and Web banner advertisements to support the Anti-Meth Campaign.

Select print advertisements, such as the Campaign’s print “Open Letter” ads, may be used by local organizations as PSAs. The Open Letter ads highlight the effectiveness of meth treatment and community involvement, while dispelling myths about the drug and who is using it. ONDCP has partnered with key law enforcement, treatment, and prevention organizations to co-sign the letters. Signatory partners for the Open Letter ads include: National Narcotics Officers’ Associations’ Coalition (NNOAC), Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC), National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP), State Association of Addiction Services (SAAS), American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), National Drug Enforcement Officers Association (NDEOA), National Association of Counties (NACO), Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCA), National Council of State Legislators (NCSL) and National Association of Social Workers (NASW).

Another key element of the Anti-Meth Campaign will be a photography exhibit titled “Life After Meth,” featuring the portraits and testimonials of recovering meth users, law enforcement officials, and substance abuse professionals who’ve battled the scourge of meth. Their stories give insight into the impact meth has had on individuals, families, and communities and provide a message of hope. These photo testimonials will be part of a traveling exhibit and will be featured online at the Anti-Meth Campaign Web site, www.methresources.gov.

The Anti-Meth Campaign Web site (www.methresources.gov) links visitors to meth treatment resources and provides more information about the signs and symptoms of meth use and rates of use by State. Community organizations and other groups involved in meth prevention can download Web banners, print advertisements, and radio ads from the Web site for use as PSAs in their local markets.

For more information on the Anti-Meth Campaign and to view advertising and other resources, visit www.methresources.gov.

Since its inception in 1998, the ONDCP’s National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign has conducted outreach to millions of parents, teens, and communities to prevent and reduce teen drug use. Counting on an unprecedented blend of public and private partnerships, non-profit community service organizations, volunteerism, and youth-to-youth communications, the Campaign is designed to reach Americans of diverse backgrounds with effective anti-drug messages.

To locate a meth addiction treatment provider, please call 1-800-99-DETOX.

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