Dual Diagnosis

Abstract

The assignment discusses the issue of comorbidity between Addiction and Personality Disorder. Dual diagnosis indicates the diagnosis of the patient's two mental disorders of which one is related to abuse or dependence on psychoactive substances. Personality disorders and substance use disorder or addiction are two forms of psychological disorders which are usually diagnosed within the same person. It is usually a case that one of the conditions is a reaction or a consequence of the other. Treatment of patients with dual diagnosis considers the substance, the severity of the addiction and personality disorder. Often there is a relationship between these three points. Comprehensive treatment programs are highly structured and conducted in a supportive environment, but with low intensity. Dual Diagnosis

Introduction

Dual diagnosis is a term used in psychiatry. It indicates the diagnosis of the patient's two mental disorders of which one is related to abuse or dependence on psychoactive substances (Stohler & Ro¨ssler, 2005). It is a kind of co-morbidity. Such individuals are sometimes called mentally ill chemical abusers. Rarer term refers to the simultaneous display of two psychiatric disorders not related to substance use. The term is also used to refer to the simultaneous display of two diagnosable disorders related to substance use.

Discussion

Etiology of Co-Morbid Addiction and Personality Disorder

The term comorbidity, increasingly, describes the type of patients with various psychiatric diagnoses occurring together. Various research have shown that there is a relationship between personality disorders and addiction. In most of the cases, the addiction comes as a result of the interaction between the individual's resources and inherited vulnerabilities, and the psychosocial circumstances he is facing (Kranzler & Rounsaville, 1998).

Pathway

Substances

Axis II Disorders

Stress reduction

Pathway

Alcohol, heroin,

Benzodiazepines

Avoidant, dependent,

Schizotypal, borderline

Behavioral disinhibition

Pathway

Cocaine, amphetamines

Antisocial, borderline

Reward sensitivity

Most substances

Histrionic, narcissistic

Personality disorders and substance use disorder or addiction are two forms of psychological disorders which are usually diagnosed within the same person. It is usually a case that one of the condition is a reaction or a consequence of the other. For example, excessive alcohol consumption can lead to depletion of serotonin in the body. This can lead to a self destructive, impulsive behavior. Similarly, childhood and adolescent personality disorders have been found to be in the correlation of the addiction disorder in the later part of life. A number of research have also shown that individuals who suffer from personality disorders turn to the psychoactive substances and drugs as a self medication (Kranzler & Rounsaville, 1998). They also use it as a way to cope up with the feelings of abandonment and emptiness that they feel. The study of a number of research show that personality disorders and addiction disorders co-occur frequently. This is true regardless of the fact that the index group is diagnosed with personality disorder or addiction disorder. Personality traits of affective impulsivity and instability are central to the growth and development of both the personality, as well as, addiction disorders (Stohler & Ro¨ssler, 2005).

Assessment and Diagnosis

Primary psychiatric disorder

In this regard, there are three possibilities:

1.The substance use behavior can be considered a form of ...