Understanding a Dual Diagnosis

A dual diagnosis is something over 8 million adults in the United States live with daily. While learning you have a dual diagnosis can feel overwhelming, it’s important that you have a clear understanding of your mental health in order to receive the right treatment.

At Revolution Psychiatric and Addiction Treatment, our board-certified psychiatrist, Richard Repass, MD, takes an integrative approach to treating those that have a dual diagnosis. 

Dr. Repass focuses on improving your overall health and teaching you techniques to better cope with your conditions.

What dual diagnosis means

A dual diagnosis describes having either two mental health issues or having a mental health disorder that also accompanies a substance abuse disorder. 

This type of situation is actually quite common, but many people don’t receive an accurate diagnosis or the right therapies for dual conditions, resulting in treatment failure.

If you have a mental health issue like anxiety or depression, it’s possible that your condition increases your risk for substance abuse as a method of self-medicating. If you have an addiction to alcohol or drugs, the long-term use of these substances can increase the likelihood that you’ll develop a mental illness.

When you use drugs or alcohol to deal with your symptoms of an existing mental health condition, you may begin experiencing a worsening of your symptoms. Excessive use of alcohol, misuse of prescription drugs, and use of illegal drugs can cause or worsen depressive symptoms and anxiety.

Many people with a dual diagnosis get caught up in a vicious cycle of self-medicating and a worsening of symptoms. If they try to quit without help, withdrawal symptoms often become too difficult to overcome.

Why an accurate dual diagnosis is crucial

Treating a dual diagnosis involves a carefully detailed plan to treat both substance abuse issues and mental health disorders simultaneously. Treating only one condition at a time may not be successful and can complicate your road to recovery.

To uncover the best therapeutic methods for treating both your mental illness and substance abuse issues, Dr. Repass and our team work closely with you during a diagnostic evaluation.

We spend time getting to understand your health history, past traumas, and triggers. We evaluate any symptoms you experience to determine if an underlying mental illness is present or if your use of alcohol or drugs is contributing to your mental health condition.

How BR+NAD can treat your dual diagnosis

BR+NAD™ therapy is an innovative treatment option that uses nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, a protein found naturally in your body that boosts your mood, restores the function of your nervous system, and repairs DNA.

Infusions of BR+NAD are useful as a detox for alcohol and drugs like methamphetamines, benzodiazepines, cannabis, and kratom, to help jump-start your recovery. 

The infusions are also a treatment for severe and debilitating symptoms of mental health issues, like depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and anxiety.

BR+NAD infusions are available on an outpatient basis. Our team at Revolution Psychiatric and Addiction Treatment also offers other therapies including psychotherapy (talk therapy) in conjunction with the infusions to get you started on your road to recovery.

Find out how BR+NAD infusions can help you manage a dual diagnosis more effectively. Call our Mercer Island, Washington, office for an appointment. You can also schedule an evaluation through our available telemedicine services.