Co-Occurring Disorders: Mental Health & Drugs

This program has been designed primarily for clients who have a dual diagnosis, and secondarily for those involved in the treatment of these disorders who need a deeper understanding of this common phenomenon. By first examining the mental illnesses that are part of a dual diagnosis (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar, depression) and then showing how psychoactive drug use can aggravate or induce these illnesses, the video helps explain the relationship between the two conditions. Related issues such as the difficulty of giving an accurate diagnosis, self-medication with street drugs, the use of psychiatric medications to control the illnesses, and the problems of relapse are discussed. Interactions from a dual diagnosis group as well as from many clients with co-occurring disorders emphasize not only the difficulties of treating co-occurring disorders but also show how clients can function in society and gain hope through effective treatment.