Dual Diagnosis
Dual diagnosis is defined by the presence of both mental health disorders and
substance abuse disorders (alcohol and/or drug dependence or abuse). There
are a variety of different mental health disorders that can be associated with
substance use and labeled dual diagnosis. Some of these disorders include:
schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anti-social personality disorder, narcissistic
personality, and depression. Depending on what disorder is present, the
symptoms of a dual diagnosis patient can be different.

Therapy, possible medications from a physician, and effort on your part will
improve any problems you may be experiencing at this moment.
There is hope!  It may not seem like there is right now but trust me... it will get better!  First and
foremost, you must stop using and/or drinking.  You will not be able to stay stopped on your own
without help and support.  This is have been proven time and time again by many
addicts/alcoholics.  It just takes willingness to change your thoughts/behaviors, honesty (with self
and others), and openness to changing your perception on things.
Addiction is a three-fold illness.  
It is a physical illness in that once an addict/alcoholic puts the substance in him/her, something
happens and there is an abnormal reaction.  Some compare it to an allergy.  A "normal" person
drinks 8 beers and they get sick, an alcoholic drinks 8 and wants the 9th!  
It is also a mental disorder in that the addict/alcoholic has an abnormal obsession for something
that is ultimately unhealthy and deadly.
It is a spiritual disorder, not in the strict religious sense but in the sense that the addict/ alcoholic
has the mindset that he/she can "do it on their own".  No one can recover and stay in recovery on
their own.  We need help and that makes life so much easier and addiction so much more
manageable.
Do you need support dealing with problems in early recovery?

Early recovery or coming back from relapse is very difficult.  No one can recover on their own!  

Common problems include; depression, anxiety, hopelessness, fear, family problems, legal
problems, stress management, anger management, poor coping skills, unhealthy support system
at home (lack of encouragement), and many other things.

Simply stopping the addictive behavior is the beginning.  Problems do not magically go away once
the behavior ceases.
Recovery is a process that involves learning new coping skills that are healthy and bring about
improved self-esteem and peace with self and others.

It is necessary to get to the root causes and conditions of the addictive/ irrational behavior.
Addiction... there is hope
What is addiction?

Addiction is a physical disease coupled with a unhealthy mental obsession.
 An addiction is ANYTHING that interferes with normal life functioning.

Once an addicted individual starts a behavior the mental obsession takes
hold of the person and he/she cannot stop.  Abstinence is the only solution.
 Is abstinence easy? NO!

The addict does get escape and has used the addiction to cope with life for
an extended period of time.

Recovery is only possible with help!  This is the biggest barrier in treating
addiction.  Many are unwilling to admit that they need help.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE !!!
How dark it can be...