When someone is struggling with both a mental health disorder and a drug addiction at the same time, it’s called dual diagnosis (also known as co-occurring disorders).

This applies to any addiction including ‘process’ addictions such as gambling or sexual addiction. These two elements, addiction and mental health are strongly intertwined making it virtually impossible to assess which element existed first!

It is therefore more important to professionally address both addiction and mental health issues simultaneously as each element exacerbates the other in a cycle of self-destruction that is not always so easily detected by others.

Alcohol / Depression Cycle
A classic example would be when an alcoholic drinks in order to ‘combat’ depression. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, slowing down brain activity, affecting mood control, judgement and coordination. Initially alcohol consumption may feel stimulating but is only temporarily stimulating leading to further bouts of depression and erratic mood swings.

Holistic Recovery Approach
Treating addiction without addressing a client’s mental health can quickly lead to relapse leaving clients frustrated and confused as to why they cannot stay clean and sober!

First Side of The Coin-Heads
The majority of clients who enter Twin Rivers Recovery Programme have a history of trauma, a lot of which may well be unknown to them. Trauma that is not psychotherapeutically addressed can impact a client’s mental health and can lead to cravings and the ‘need’ to anaesthetise uncomfortable feelings. On an intellectual level a client may well understand and embrace the 12-step recovery programme as the ‘steps’ assists in magnifying the damage caused through addiction focussing on ‘ownership’ and gradual repair towards self and others.

The Other Side of The Coin-Tails!
Alcohol and drug abuse is a widely misunderstood yet recognised as a dysfunctional attempt at coping with emotional pain. This pain is not NEW or recent pain but has been swimming around a client’s nervous system for many years! This is why it is so important to take a look at the past as this will help to better understand todays thinking and behaviour as it directly impacts mental health.

Conclusion!

Sopping drinking or abusing drugs is not really that difficult. What is challenging is staying stopped and staying stopped is impeded if mental health is ignored!

What does trauma informed Treatment mean?

Trauma Informed relates to the recognition by the Twin Rivers Recovery clinical team that they are not just in touch with their own trauma’s but also respect the fact that all clients are very likely have a history of trauma that can be gently acknowledged and addressed over time