 Mental
Health
Association in NYS, Inc.
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CO-OCCURRING
DISORDERS
Co-Occurring
Disorders
The term co-occurring disorders refers to an individual having
one or more substance abuse disorders and one or more psychiatric
disorders at the same time. ('Dual
diagnosis' is an older term for 'co-occurring disorders'.)
Why
are these separate disorders grouped together?
It is important to know if co-occurring disorders exist because
each disorder can cause symptoms of the other disorder, leading
to slow recovery and a diminished quality of life.
For
example, a person with an undiagnosed psychiatric disorder such
as depression may abuse drugs to alleviate the symptoms of depression.
If the person gets treatment for the drug addiction but not for
depression, the depression still exists and the need for relief
from its symptoms continues. The person will end up using drugs
again to manage the depression symptoms.
Recovery
Recovery is a journey of healing and transformation enabling
a person with a problem to live a meaningful life in a community
of his or her choice while striving to achieve his or her full potential.
Choose
one of the following categories for information suited to your needs:
Individual/Family/Supporter
Resources --- or --- Provider
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