Dual Diagnosis Research Paper

Intro The reasons that people become drug users are varied. For some it may be that they can’t control the amount they consume and become addicted quickly. For others the reason may be far more complicated, in the “1950’s the process of deinstitutionalization began” (Comer, pg. 390). This action released many mentally ill people into society with no medication, support or follow up. This continues today and according to “the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism’s National Longitudinal Alcohol Epidemiology Survey concluded that dependence and mental illness go hand in hand” (NIH, pg. 1).
Dual Diagnosis A person who is being “treated in a psychiatric hospital may be given a dual diagnosis” (Stevens & Smith, pg. 158). This
There are several reasons why I feel like this. First, one reason the person is most likely having a drug problem is due to their mental illness not being treated properly. Second, if they are suffering from a mental illness they may not be able to benefit from substance abuse treatment until they are lucid and more functional. Finally, if you don’t first treat the mental illness and just try to treat the drug use aren’t you just creating a never ending cycle of abuse and hospitalization? Once they are properly diagnosed and being given needed medication they will most likely be much more lucid and functional. After they have achieved that goal then perhaps they can begin drug rehab treatment. The patient isn’t going to be using the drugs to continue their drug abuse their going to be given them to relieve some of the symptoms of their mental illness. This may be the overwhelming reason that caused them to self-medicate in the first place. The problem is that these people fall through the cracks of the system because many times they may be homeless and hard to keep track of with community