Psychological & Psychiatric Treatment

Using dual diagnosis addicts generally have medication compliance issues, and even if medications have been taken as directed, the concurrent use of other substances often renders these medications ineffective. At the period of intake, mental health professionals will need to develop an accurate and comprehensive picture of the severities of both the metal health disorder and the addiction, and develop an appropriate pharmacological strategy for symptoms management.

Continuing evaluation and monitoring will need to take place throughout the period of treatment, and symptoms expression during this stressful and challenging period may require an alteration of prescribed medications. Psychiatrists developing this pharmaceutical regimen will need to be educated as to the unique needs of patients concurrently progressing through detox and recovery, and adjust medications accordingly.

Because psychiatric symptoms may worsen, continual psychiatric evaluation is required and worsening affective or behavioral symptoms may require a move to a facility more specifically targeted for psychiatric disorders.