Dual Diagnosis Mental Health

What is the impact of complex health needs on the individual and mental health services?

This essay aims to discuss the impact of complex mental health needs on an individual; it talks about the impact on mental health services on an individual
Dual diagnosis refers to a condition whereby an individual suffers from an enduring mental illness and at the same time struggles with a co-existing drug or alcohol dependency issues (DoH 2009). Rassool (2002) describes dual diagnosis as a complex mental health problem which is a broad expression characterized by the presence of two inter-reliant disorders. The substances which are most commonly used by those with enduring mental illness are alcohol, cannabis and stimulants. People with dual diagnosis
This impact on family members sorely relies upon the different roles and responsibilities, for example: the parents of the drug abuser suffer more impact than the rest of the family members (Banard 2006). It affects them in several various ways such as: physical illnesses, education and employment and psychological illnesses. There is a strong possibility that family members experience negative emotions such as anger, shame, confusion, hurt and despair due to lack of knowledge of how to get help or lack of intervention or support from services (Templeton et al 2006). Children or siblings who undertake a caring role can face a risk of loosing their childhood, which can have a negative impact on schoolwork, health, conduct and friendships (Velleman and Templeton 2007). The provision and of services to meet the needs of family members and their involvement in the care of drug users, results in the enhancement and effectiveness of services and drug treatment and plummeting abuse (Velleman and Templeton 2007). It is imperative that services which are designated to offer expert help to family members and carers of drug users implement methods to amplify motivation and resilience because there is a tendency of loosing hope in the process (Templeton 2007). According to Banard (2006), family members play a vital role in influencing people with substance misuse problems to seek or accept help from services. Stanton and Heath (2005), believes that most partners of drug abusers experience physical violence, manipulation, pressure to release money to fund drugs and lying. Family members adults and children equally experience inevitable risks of developing numerous chronic problems such as substance misuse in their own right, physical sicknesses, involvement in arrangement of anti-social behaviours