More than 31 million Americans have used illegal drugs, and more than half the population has been affected by drug abuse directly and indirectly. Mental illness affects more than 51 million people and sometimes drug abuse and mental illness intersects. When there is drug abuse and a mental health problem simultaneous it is termed a dual diagnosis. Signs and symptoms of dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorders may look like drug abuse itself. One telltale sign of dual diagnosis is rapid mood changes and withdrawal from others. Who should take dual diagnosis treatment? Anyone who is currently struggling with a substance addiction as well as a mental illness. Others who may benefit from treatment are friends and family members affected by the drug abuser. Dual diagnosis treatment differs from regular drug addiction treatment because it is treating both addiction and mental health. You will learn various coping skills and cognitive reconstruction with an addiction counselor. Dual Diagnosis Have you experienced withdrawal from family members, sudden changes in behavior, using substances under dangerous conditions, withdrawal and tolerance from a substance, developed severe mood changes, and/ or feel like you need a substance to function? You may be experiencing a dual diagnosis. The term dual diagnosis is used when an individual is experiencing substance abuse and mental illness at the same time. Treatment for dual diagnosis includes partial treatment, sequential treatment, parallel treatment, and integrated treatment. An example of dual diagnosis would be suffering from alcoholism and bipolar disorder simultaneously. Dual diagnosis drug rehab is widely available in the United States but differs from regular addiction treatment. Some of the best treatment centers for dual diagnosis are in California. There are many specialized dual diagnosis treatments specifically in los Angeles. Continue reading here: https://quitaddictionnow.com/what-is-dual-diagnosis