If a person has a personality disorder along with a substance abuse problem then it can make recovery from either condition less likely.It may be that the individual refuses to see the problem or just does not have the available insight to be willing to tackle the issues. In the past the prognosis for somebody with this type of prognosis was poor, but nowadays there has been a lot more success when it comes to personality disorders and addiction treatment.
When the medical professionals refer to the fact that somebody has a dual diagnosis it means that the individual has a substance abuse problem along with a mental health issue such as; depression, schizophrenia or a personality disorder. It is claimed that as many as fifty percent of those with mental health issues also develop addiction problems. The most usual explanation for this is that the person suffering from a condition like a personality disorder might turn to drugs or alcohol as a means of dealing with their problems. In the beginning they might have some success with this strategy but ultimately it is doomed to failure and the person’s life will end up being far harder to manage. It can also be the case that a person with no prior mental health difficulty can develop mental health problems because of their abuse. Either way the person will need personality disorders and addiction treatment.
It is often more difficult to treat an addiction when somebody has a personality disorder. If personality disorders and addictiontreatment is not commenced then it can mean a miserable existence for the person as they destroy their own body through further substance abuse. The reason why it is so much more difficult for a person with a personality disorder to get help is they may lack the ability to accept their problem.Denial is a normal part of addiction, but for the person with a personality disorder getting past this denial can be difficult; they may just completely refuse to acknowledge the problem no matter how bad their life deteriorates.
When it comes to personality disorders and addiction treatment it is vital to cease the substance abuse so that treatment for the personality disorder can be effective. Traditional treatment options may not be appropriate for the person with a severe personality disorder, because these programs often rely on the person’s ability to gain insights about their life.It is also the case that these traditional treatments tend to be confrontational in nature as attempts are made to break down the barriers that the addict has created. This type of approach will not work for all people with personality disorders, and in many cases can actually be counterproductive. The best solution is to find a treatment option where personality disorders and addiction treatment can occur simultaneously.If the individual needs to bounce between one service and another it can cause a ‘ping-pong effect’ and this may be less likely to prove effective.
