Drug addiction is the result of changes in the functioning of brain. Dual diagnosis refers to any situation in which somebody suffers from a mental disorder and is dependent or addicted some sort of substance. In U.S.A. the term ‘dual diagnosis’ has a different significance and refers to any mental disorder plus some substance abuse. In Israel again dual diagnosis refers to a person who suffers from clinical disorders. The difference of this term is both these countries are based on economical reasons. Dual diagnosis treatment brings a difficult time.
There are a variety of problems which are possible as a result of dual diagnosis. As for example Psychiatric symptoms may be covered up or masked by alcohol or drug use. The other one is the alcohol or drug use or the withdrawal can mimic or give the appearance of some psychiatric illness, or sometimes untreated psychiatric illness can contribute to an alcohol or drug relapse. Some of the other problems which are associated with dual disorders can be mentioned as family problems, isolation, financial problems, employment or school problem, risk behaviour when driving, homelessness, etc. The term dual diagnosis can have different implication and definitions depending upon the user.
Professional and service providers can have a narrower definition of it. An individual is in dual recovery when they are in active action and follow a programme or addiction treatment. This programme focuses on their recovery needs for both the chemical dependency as well as psychiatric illness. So the dual diagnosis program can be really beneficial for drug addicts.