Co-Occurring Disorders

Co-Occurring Disorders

Shana D. Pape

English 10, 1st hour

26 February 2012

Spoelhof

Abstract

Co-Occurring disorders are present in many people today. A Co-Occurring disorder, or dual diagnosis, is only true when one person has both a serious mental illness and a substance use disorder occurring at the same time. The drugs can either be legal or illicit drugs. Some substances bring about symptoms of serious mental illnesses, and some people with mental illnesses will use substances to bring them relief, but Co-Occurring disorders happen when both disorders can be diagnosed separately from one another. Another point is that both disorders must be treated in order for a person to get better. Co-Occurring disorders are difficult to diagnose but important to recognize. If both disorders are not treated, the person could just return to being under the captivity of both disorders. It is also important to know that every person is different. While treating these people, there isn’t a “one size fits all” approach. There are several different approaches to treatment and different methods for different types of people.

Outline

I. Co-Occurring Disorders

A. The problem with Dual disorders

B. Thesis statement: Mental illness and substance dependence have been known disorders for many years. In recent studies, statistics have shown that there is a prevalence of substance use disorders among patients with mental illnesses.  Therefore, people who suffer from both disorders should be treated for each one at the same time.

II. Explanation of research

A. What co-occurring disorders are specifically.

1. Severe mental illnesses

                                 a. Mood disorders – bipolar, depression
                                 b. Anxiety disorders- PTSD, panic, OCD

c. Personality disorders- Schizophrenia, Antisocial

2. Substance related disorders

                                  a. Substance Induced
                                  b. Substance abuse
                                  c. Substance dependency

B. Treatment types for co-occurring disorders

        1. Mental health treatments

                a. Cognitive behavioral therapy

                b. Dialectic behavioral therapy
                        2. Substance use treatments
                                    a. Group therapy
                                    b. Self help groups
                        3. Co-Occurring disorder treatments
                                    a. Integrated dual disorder treatment
                                    b. Recovery counseling
III. Vocabulary
IV. What I’ve learned
            A. The relationship

1. Substance use can cause symptoms of mental illnesses

2. Mental illnesses can lead a person toward using substances (self medicating)

B. Treatment for people

1. People can’t all be treated the same way

2. Both the mental illness and the substance use disorder have to be treated.

V. Conclusion
            A. Dual treatment is more effective
            B. Restatement of thesis 

Co-Occurring Disorders

            The Problem with Dual Disorders. “Research shows that 1 out of 2 people with a mental illness…will experience a problem with alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs at some point in their lives” (“Medical Professionals & IDDT”). Millions of people that are diagnosed with psychiatric or emotional disorders also have to deal with another disease-Addiction. Daley and Moss concluded, “Nearly 3 out of 10 people with a psychiatric illness have been diagnosed as also having a substance use disorder at some point” (5). Furthermore, in another study, it was discovered that “50% to 75% of incarcerated youth suffer from a mental health disorder; more than half have substance use problems” (Simpson, Perra, and Corwin). It is evident that there are numerous individuals facing the predicament of Co-Occurring disorders at the moment, and the relationship between the two types of disorders is also obvious.  

It is difficult to diagnose co-occurring disorders and difficult to treat them. Mental illness and substance dependence have been known disorders for years, but they haven’t been recognized together until recently. Recent statistics have shown that there is a prevalence of substance use disorders among patients with mental illnesses. Therefore, people who suffer from both disorders should be treated simultaneously.

Summary of Research

What Co-Occurring Disorders are Specifically. Co-Occurring Disorders, or COD, are sometimes referred to as Dual Disorders. Individuals also used to be referred to as having a Dual Diagnosis. “Dual Diagnosis occurs when someone has both a mental disorder and an alcohol or drug problem” (“Dual Diagnosis”). Sometimes people with mental illnesses use drugs and alcohol as a way of self medicating themselves (“What are COD?”). Drug use can cause symptoms of mental illnesses such as delirium or psychosis, but people with true Co-Occurring disorders are able to be diagnosed for both disorders separately from the other.

The problem of Mental Illness is fairly common. Mental illnesses are found in about 1 out of 5 Americans (“Mental Illness”). Most of the Americans that have diagnosable mental illnesses only have minor mental illnesses. The illness is still there, but most of the time it isn't significant enough to raise a brow. Severe mental illnesses are much less common. About three percent of the population is afflicted with a severe mental illness (“Mental Illness”). A few categories of mental illnesses that can be severe include mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and personality disorders.