Recognizing a dual diagnosis can be difficult. It can take time to figure out what part is attributed to mental health disorder and what might be the drug or alcohol problem. Here are some general questions to ask yourself if you think you are experiencing a co-occurring disorder: Do you use alcohol or drugs to cope with memories or feelings, to control pain, to help with your moods, or to help you stay focused on tasks? Have you noticed a relationship between your mental health and your Continue Reading ...

Dual Diagnoses: What is it? A dual diagnosis revolves around mental illness (i.e. bipolar, depression, anxiety, or schizophrenia) and substance abuse. Substance abuse involves mistreating a substance to cope with a stressor in an individual’s life. This is not the same as an individual who is dependent upon a prescribed medication to go about daily living.  How Does a Dual Diagnosis Occur? An individual with a mental illness may turn to alcohol or drugs to cope; on the other hand, Continue Reading ...