...person the experiences substance and or alcohol abuse. That addiction journey can be riddled with anger, pain, loss, shame, anguish along with a host of many other agonizing and heart wrenching emotions. When the addicted person also carries a mental health disorder along this journey, it can become an even more treacherous and dangers path. These are indeed two very complex struggles for one human being. The combination of a person suffering an alcohol or substance abuse disorder and a mental illness disorder are identified has having a dual diagnosis. Dual diagnosis has different causes, difficulty in trying to diagnose and difficult to treat and it affects many in our world today. Most importantly, a dual diagnosis is most difficult on the individual who suffers with the disease. Dual Diagnosis Definition and Types What does dual-diagnosis actually mean? A dual diagnosis disorder occurs when an individual is affected by both chemical dependency and an emotional or psychiatric illness. Both chemical dependency and psychiatric illness may affect an individual physically, psychologically, socially and spiritually (The Dual Diagnosis Recovery Book, 1993). The most common mental health issues that coincide with addictions are ADHD, anxiety, depressions, bi-polar, schizophrenia, personality disorders, eating disorders and PTSD. The combination of a mental health illness and an addiction can exasperate the symptoms and triggers of the individual’s illness to dangerous physical...
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...Are people with mental health problems at increased risk of committing violence? Discuss What Is The Link Between Mental Health And Violence? The link between mental health problems and violence is complex. The link between the two needs to assess the circumstances and other influential reasons when deciding whether people with mental health problems are at increased risk of committing violence. This essay will argue that people with mental health problems are modestly at an increased risk of violence but when influenced by substance abuse the risk of committing violence is at a greater risk. The scope of the essay will consider works from academic journals and empirical evidence on mental health and violence, which has influenced the debate of this essay. First, we need to consider that increased risk of violence is modestly greater than someone without mental health problems. According to The Lancet (1997), John Monahan and Colleagues from the MacCarther Foundation Research Network on Mental Health and the Law found the relationship of mental health to be modest contrary to societal belief. They did research with patients in hospital and those released had periodic visits within that year. To compare varying violence they surveyed a random selection of people in the general population. The researchers only found the findings to be modestly greater. They conducted a second survey showing that people with mental health were no more violent than the general...
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...Dual diagnosis between drug abuse and mental illness is very common. The two problems affect and interact with each other. The number of people diagnosed with a mental illness and substance went from 210,000 to 800,000 between the years of 1998-2003. (Druss MD, Bornemann, Fry-Johnson MD, McCombs PhD, Politzer, & Rust MD, 2006) Substance abuse is the most common and clinically important dual disorder among adults with severe mental illness. Studies show that fifty percent of people with mental illness also have a substance abuse problem. (Saisan, Smith, & Segal, 2010) And more than half the persons with a substance abuse diagnosis also have a diagnosable mental illness. (Saisan, Smith, & Segal, 2010). Clinicians believe that mental illness and...
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...Tech People who are dually diagnosed with mental illness and substance abuse disorders constitute 10%-20% of homeless persons. They are heterogeneous and extremely vulnerable subgroup with complex, poorly understood needs. (Breakey, 1987; Fischer, 1990) Addressing comorbidity in the homeless population makes us look head on at the clinical, service, legal, and housing issues. My goal is to improve our understanding of this problem and what might be done to help resolve this growing problem. To help explain this comorbidity, we need to know that drug addiction is a mental illness. It is a brain disease characterized by compulsive, at times uncontrollable drug craving, seeking and using despite the terrible consequences. Despite devastating consequences behaviors that stem from drug-induced changes in brain structure and function. These changes occur in some of the same brain areas that are disrupted in other mental disorders, such as depression, anxiety, or schizophrenia. It is not surprising that population surveys show a high rate of co-occurrence, or comorbidity, between drug addiction and other mental illnesses. As awareness of the problem of duel diagnosis has grown models for integrating mental health and substance abuse treatments have begun to emerge but have not been applied to the homeless population. (Argeriou & McCarty, 1990) Approximately one third of homeless persons suffer from severe and disabling mental illnesses (Morrissey & Dennis; 1986; Tessler...
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...individual vulnerabilities and face a many of systematic barriers that impede accessing adequate housing and services. Current economic climate presents the chance for homelessness to remain high (Coalition for the Homeless, 2002a). According to research, a substantial reduction in the occurrence of chronic homelessness could be achieved by linking affordable housing with treatment and support services. Alcohol and substance abuse is known as both a precipitating factor and consequence of homelessness can effect an individual’s ability to retain housing or limit housing options offered by programs requiring sobriety, and mask underlying or related mental health issues undetected or untreated in addiction treatment programs (Zerger, 2002). Individuals who have co-occurring disorders (COD) are particularly vulnerable to homelessness caused by more severe psychiatric symptoms, self-medication with drugs and alcohol, and frequent contact with the criminal justice system. Typically, once homeless, individuals with COD will have greater problems, need more help and are more...
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...The implications of the Garling Report In order to provide quality of patient care, delivering efficient care is important but also recognising the factors affecting patient care is also significantly important. By identifying the implications of the Garling Report (2008), it enables to recognise problems related with health care system and to have better understandings and abilities to effectively deal with the problems. Accordingly, there are also significant issues affecting mental health, which should be investigated. The major findings and recommendations of the Garling Report will be overviewed and also the nursing and workforce issues will be explored. Furthermore, drug and alcohol abuse and lack of resources will be explored and recommendation for a new Registered Nurse will be drawn. Garling Report (2008) indicates that New South Wales (NSW) public hospitals have one of the better health care systems in the developed world, because they have well-trained, skilled and dedicated doctors, nurses and clinical staffs. On the other hand, NSW health care systems are too often unable to cope with the increasing cost of treatment, sudden increase in patients, and the pressures on a skilled workforce (Garling Report, 2008). Notably, there is a serious shortage of workforce including medical, nursing, and allied health professionals (Garling Report, 2008). Furthermore, there are insufficient experienced clinical staffs who can supervise and guide inexperienced...
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...205 Janet Levy Homelessness “Homelessness is a worldwide problem that affects millions. You will find them sleeping on sidewalks, under bridges, on park benches, in cars and in any little cubby hole they can find. You will see women, men, young kids and families” (G. Davis, personal communication, June 29, 2015). ("The Portland Rescue Mission" ( 2015 ). Retrieved from http://www.portlandrescuemission.org/learn-more/myths-about-homelessness According to ‘the Portland Rescue Mission’ (2015), “The methodology for finding and counting the homeless is imperfect; we simply do not find everyone”. “Why are they all out there? What is Homelessness and what causes it? Homelessness is a very complicated issue that has no social or economic boundary. Mental illness, substance abuse, domestic violence and economic times affect all ages of the Homeless” (G. Davis, personal communication, June 29, 2015). 1. Homelessness and Mental Health Mental Illness seems to be one of the leading causes of homelessness. “During my involvement with the homeless, I knew of a women name Frankie. Frankie was a school teacher, had a husband and two children. One night their home burned down with Frankie’s husband and children being lost in the fire. Frankie lost all rational thinking, not understanding why she lived. Frankie had a complete mental breakdown and ended up on the streets of Dallas homeless. This is a case of mental illness being the cause of homelessness. (G. Davis, personal communication...
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...website via Google.com, searching “Co-Occurring Disorders.” This website offers information on a lot of different psychological problems. The website is for the magazine, “Psychology Today,” and offers the same articles in the magazine and additional resources related to Psychology. Psychology Today covers all aspects of human behavior and mental health. The specific link I used (as shown above) is specific to co-occurring disorders. It allows users to explore the definition, symptoms, causes and treatments. It defines Co-Occurring Disorders at the top of the page stating, “Formerly known as dual diagnosis or dual disorder, co-occurring disorders describe the presence of two or more disorders at the same time. For example, a person may suffer substance abuse as well as bipolar disorder.” I think that statement is a little misleading and would better be represented by stating “…co-occurring disorders describe the presence of one or more disorders and substance abuse.” That definition implies co-occurring disorders could be something like depression and anxiety, in which case it should actually be described as co-morbid. However, within the first few paragraphs of the definition page it then states, “Clients with co-occurring disorders (COD) have one or more disorders relating to the use of alcohol and/or other drugs of abuse as well as one or more mental disorders.” One interesting thing I noticed on this website is they use the term MICA, which represents Mentally Ill Chemical...
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...2014 Laura Pipoly On single stage, action considered for alcohol and drug addiction remained measured toward being distinct as of handling aimed at mental health illnesses, in addition to caution was conveyed at altered amenities by means of profoundly dissimilar salutary methods. And the results were successful, numerous individuals who had trouble with despair, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, as well as additional severe psychiatric situations not once was offered nor established action on behalf of their substance abuse issues. Through the exact similar sign, several graduates of drug rehab accomplishments by means of co-occurring disorders frequently under no circumstances established acceptable treatment on behalf of their original mental health apprehensions. “Epidemiology is the study of the incidence, prevalence, and distribution of a disease in a population. In simple terms, this means that epidemiology. At its core, epidemiology is descriptive it tells us about the nature and extent of COD in the Nation, a State, or a community. This information is one critical component of policy, programmatic and clinical planning, and decision making. Epidemiology is a way to look at the relationship of the factors that can result in the expression of COD. The classic model for studying health problems is the epidemiologic triangle with sides that consist of the agent the of the triangle, the host the who of the triangle, and the environment the where...
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...much yet to be learned by researchers in regards to understanding the intertwining connections between mental illness and substance use disorders. This essay is barely scratching the surface in describing the complexity of the two. In order to know how to treat an individual who exhibits symptoms of both a substance use disorder and a mental illness, it must first be determined which came first, the mental illness that lead to the substance use disorder or the SUD which exacerbated the underlying mental illness. I’m sure you have heard the saying, ‘Which came first, the chicken or the egg?’ Well, this seems to be the dilemma for the experts in their respective fields of study in determining the most effective form of treatment for those who have been given a dual diagnosis. Unfortunately, individuals who have this diagnosis have become the norm in today’s day, rather than the exception. Dual Diagnosis It was widely believed at one time that substance use disorders and mental illness were seldom found in an individual. Since that time, it has been discovered, through epidemiological studies done on individuals who struggle with both mental illness and substance use disorder, that this is not true. A majority of those diagnosed with a mental illness also concurrently have a substance use disorder (Doweiko, 2015). ). Some of the mental illnesses that are challenging mental health professionals today are Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Posttraumatic Stress...
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...head: SUBSTANCE USE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE/COMORBIDITY | 1 | Substance Use and the Risks on Your Health Cassy L LaFave SUNY Empire State College PART I Substance use poses great dangers and can cause serious health problems ranging from heart disease and liver disease, to respiratory issues, just to name a few ("Risk of Disease with Drug Use - Alcohol Rehab," 2008). An individual who uses substances also increases their risk for contracting infectious diseases, such as, sexually transmitted infections and blood borne diseases, including Hepatitis and HIV/AIDS. These infectious diseases may be treatable conditions, or terminal illnesses (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 1999). Many people are aware that intravenous drug use and needle sharing (or sharing drug preparation equipment – “works”) can transmit blood borne diseases (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2014). What isn’t as widely known is the role substance use plays in general, contributing to the dangers involved. When an individual chooses to engage in substance use, no matter the route of administration, the substance causes a person’s immune system to be lowered. Therefore, their body is more susceptible to infections and harmful diseases ("Risk of Disease with Drug Use - Alcohol Rehab," 2008). Under the influence, a substance user lacks the ability to make sound judgements and often engages in high risk behaviors and activities. Fueled by the substance or the need for the substance, a drug...
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...specialty area that focuses on how biology, psychology, behavior and social factors influence health and illness (about.com, 2011). The field of health psychology is all about promoting healthy lifestyles as well as prevention and treatment of disease and illness. Gadsden Regional is establishing a committee of five specialists in different fields of psychology: a substance abuse counselor, inpatient-only psychologist, child psychologist, adult psychologist, and a clinical psychologist. This committee will work together to study the mental and health illnesses that arise within the Psychology Department and provide specialized treatment in each area of recovery. The Psychology Department will provide treatment and care for a wide range ages and different abuse areas. Everyone from children to older adults, drug and alcoholic abusers, and people with psychological disorders or those just having problems coping with everyday stress will be able to obtain the help they need. The substance abuse counselor will be responsible for coordinating the use of recovery and structured programs substance abuse. The substance abuse counselor will coordinate with a social worker in order to research the patient’s addiction, addiction habits, frequency of abuse, abuse patterns, and identify thinks that might trigger the patient to abuse whatever substance they are addicted to. The substance abuse counselor will also establish if there has been any prior attempts with treatment programs in the...
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...Abuse Paper HCA/250 10/8/12 Abuse Paper I believe that as more of people become aware of the dangers of smoking tobacco, the percentage of smokers has fallen from around 50 per cent of the population in the 1950s to 25 per cent in 2003. The illnesses can cause cancer, heart disease and respiratory illnesses. Smoking can cause impotence, ulcers and fertility problems and it's doesn't just harm smokers. However, the decline in smoking in the population has leveled off and the percentage of people smoking in the last 10 years seems to have remained at around 25 per cent. But the good news is that about 70 per cent of smokers say they want to quit. Yet success rates for quit attempts are between 10 and 20 per cent. I also believe that the problem starts in the childs childhood, because they start to experimenting with cigarettes in their teens. Children whose parents smoke are twice as likely to start smoking compared to those with non smoking parents. Also I have read that there are 11 to 15 year olds who were most likely to be smokers due to being lonely and had difficulty talking to their parents, had problems at school and started drinking alcohol. When it come to how smoking tobacco affects the workplace I believe that smoking in the workplace often results in higher expenses for employers. These costs are attributed to increased absenteeism, lower productivity, unscheduled smoke breaks, maintenance...
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...Introduction Thus, far, I have learned that “Social problems” are the central issues and conflicts that are not “personal problems”. These problems can never be resolved by a single human. It takes many people of the given society to work together in order to reach a solution. Social problems are very much complex that it threatens the values of society. The cause and the solutions are responsibilities of the society Affected Population The meaning of being homeless in the United States helps define who is able to receive shelter and assistance from health and social service providers. In order to live a normal life requires having a home to live in. Yet people with no home and unable to afford anything can be found in all countries. The main reason is the individual cannot get the housing loans or welfare accessible to others. The causes of homelessness can be caused by family altercations or tragedy (or prison), or even a natural disaster. The larger proportions of homeless parents who are separated from their children in the US and the larger number of families in the homeless population are both likely because of the US social policy. Higher levels of inequality and lower levels of social benefits are associated with higher rates of homelessness. The Stewart McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of 1987 describes a homeless person as any place not meant for regular sleeping accommodation by humans. In 2005, an estimated 744,313 men, women, and children were homeless...
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...Persons A problem that continues to grow in the United States is Homeless people. Millions of people are homeless due to a variety of circumstances and the number still grows daily. History In the United States, de-institutionalization of the mentally ill -- unaccompanied by promised outpatient psychiatric and social services -- led to a large increase in the homeless, mentally ill population in the late 1970s. The number of homeless grew in the 1980s, as housing and social service cuts increased. This was in part a consequence of the transfer of federal dollars to a huge military buildup (including the spectacularly wasteful and unsuccessful "Star Wars" strategic missile defense initiative) and consequent large budget deficits. Fortunately, public compassion soared, and in 1986, 5 million Americans joined hands across the country to raise money for homeless programs (May 25, 1986 Hands Across America). In 1987, the McKinney Act authorized millions of dollars for housing and hunger relief (Donahue, 2007). Nature and Issues of Social Problems Homeless and poverty go together. People are unable to pay for food, clothing, shelter, child care, health care, and education. Choices have to be made to have what they need for their daily life so they have to put other things behind to cover necessities. Domestic violence leads people to become homeless because they are forced to choose from the abusive relationship or becoming homeless. Mental illness issues also force...
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