When people suffer from both a substance abuse problem and a mental health issue such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder or a personality disorder it is called dual diagnosis. Dealing with substance abuse is difficult at the best of times, and it’s even more difficult when you also struggling or suffer with mental health problems.

Over the year’s people suffering from a dual diagnosis have found accessing treatment difficult and often found themselves being bounced from one service too another. Most health care professionals now believe and understand that if you don’t treat both together you can’t effectively treat either. This more forward way of thinking has led to the development of many Dual Diagnosis programs being developed throughout the health care system to help target people suffering from these issues.

Long-term substance abuse can have a devastating effect on your mental health and there are clear links between substance abuse/misuse and depression. With proper treatment, support you can develop new coping skills and can overcome a dual diagnosis or at the very least learn to manage it so you a lead a good quality of life. If you feel you suffer from a dual diagnosis it can be helpful to speak with a counsellor.