Dual Diagnosis

» jerrib - I've never heard of this before

It's good you're bringing it out in the open at this very appropriate time. Hope folks read and get help.

Jerri

-- posted by jerrib

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» judyz - dual dx

Thank you for writing about this Colleen, it has been an incredible struggle for me. While I know my substance abuse (opiates, alcohol and others) has probably worsened my rapid cycling, I have never found a psychiatrist able or willing? to handle both. Because my abuse ebbs and flows with my moods or maybe it's the other way around, it tends to get ignored in the course of treatment. I think most doctors feel if my mood is stable, I won't abuse anything. Yet I haven't been stable long enough to find out if that's true. Anyone else with this problem?

-- posted by judyz

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» Colleen_Sullivan - Judy

I know for a fact that you are far from being alone with this problem.

It isn't easy to diagnose Bipolar Disorder when there is concurrent substance abuse..and many doctors won't even try. It's also very, very hard to treat.

Yes..a Catch 22...so hard to tell what is causing what, but it really doesn't matter because both have to be treated at the same time.

Good Luck and all the best to you Judy
Colleen

-- posted by Colleen_Sullivan

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