Comments on: Nation Wakes Up to Need for Greater Dual Diagnosis Care

By: Shane

Shane — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 17:05:06 +0000

In my mind nothing should ever be ruled out when it comes to factors that contribute to mental illness. Everything in life that we do is so interrelated that this only makes sense.

By: Grayson

Grayson — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 16:53:43 +0000

It is sad that there has to be loss for us to finally wake up and smell the coffee when it comes to the need for there being more emphasis placed on achieving dual diagnoses. I have always been of the opinion that there are probably other underlying issues in order for abuse issues to come forth. There may be a history of abuse or mental illness that has laid dormant for many years, but then factor in alcohol and drugs and you have just opened up an even more deadly can of worms for the patient. This may not be accurate one hundred percent of the time but I think that just by recognizing the need for dual diagnosis cements the truth that for many there are always going to be other issues which should not be ignored in their treatment period.

By: Slice

Slice — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 00:09:19 +0000

This combination spells D-E-E-P-T-R-O-U-B-L-E to say the least. People in such situations need specialized care and treatment and also the emotional support of their loved ones. What they also need is constant reassurance from their near and dear ones as well as from the medical fraternity. It is best to try and get treatment for such individuals at a stage as early as possible, as the complexities develop with time.

By: Billie

Billie — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 22:11:23 +0000

I think this is so right on. As someone who does suffer from both addiction and mental illness, I feel that dual treatment is so important. I went for years getting help with my mental illness and not my addiction. Despite counseling and medication I still struggled since I wasn’t taking care of ALL the problems at hand. Now that I’m getting help for my addictions as well I’m healthier as a whole. Life is starting to get easier to function. In regards to the last paragraph, addiction is poor mental health. It should be diagnosed and treated the same as any other mental illness.