Dual Diagnosis/Co-Occurring Disorders
July 26, 2010 by summit-admin
Filed under Dual Diagnosis/Co-Occurring Disorders, Featured
Dual diagnosis and co-occurring disorders are psychiatric disorders that are occurring along with substance abuse or substance dependence disorders.
More than half of people experiencing alcohol and drug abuse or dependence disorders are also suffering from a co-occurring mental disorder.
Diagnosing a dual diagnosis/co-occurring disorder condition in substance abusers can be difficult, as drug abuse itself often induces psychiatric symptoms. In determining the correct dual diagnosis/co-occurring disorder diagnosis it is necessary to differentiate between substance induced and pre-existing mental illness.
Self Medication and Drug or Alcohol Abuse and Dependence
Often people suffering from mental disorders attempt to deal with the problem themselves by "self medicating." It is common for people experiencing mental disorders to feel relief when drinking alcohol or taking drugs, so it is natural that they should start using these substances to alleviate or control their symptoms.
The problem with self medicating a mental disorder is that prolonged use of alcohol and recreational drugs will likely create a condition of pathological dependence. In addition, use of certain substances may actually increase the symptoms or create new symptoms.
Treatment for Dual Diagnosis/Co-Occurring Disorders
Summit Malibu's world-class therapists have decades of experience treating the many dual diagnosis/co-occurring disorders that often accompany substance dependence.
Click on the links below to learns more about treatment of dual diagnosis/co-occurring disorders, such as:
- Anxiety Disorder
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Bi-Polar Disorder
- Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
- Depression
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Panic Disorder
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Social Anxiety Disorder
Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SADQ)
July 24, 2010 by summit-admin
Filed under Addiction, Dependence, and Abuse Tests
The severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SADQ, SAD-Q) was first published in the British Journal of Addiction.
The SADQ is sometimes used to to predict the levels of medication needed during alcohol detoxification.
The test is divided into 5 sections:
- Physical withdrawal symptoms
- Affective withdrawal symptoms
- Craving and relief drinking
- Typical daily consumption
- Reinstatement of dependence after a period of abstinence.
Each item is scored on a 4-point scale, giving a possible range of 0 to 60. A score of over 30 indicates severe alcohol dependence.
The SADQ Test
- The day after drinking alcohol, do you wake up feeling sweaty?
(1) Almost never
(2) Sometimes
(3) Often
(4) Nearly always - The day after drinking alcohol, do your hands shake first thing in the morning?
(1) Almost never
(2) Sometimes
(3) Often
(4) Nearly always - The day after drinking alcohol, does your body shake violently first thing in the morning if you don't have a drink?
(1) Almost never
(2) Sometimes
(3) Often
(4) Nearly always - The day after drinking alcohol, do you wake up drenched in sweat?
(1) Almost never
(2) Sometimes
(3) Often
(4) Nearly always - The day after drinking alcohol, do you dread waking up?
(1) Almost never
(2) Sometimes
(3) Often
(4) Nearly always - The day after drinking alcohol, are you frightened of meeting people first thing in the morning?
(1) Almost never
(2) Sometimes
(3) Often
(4) Nearly always - The day after drinking alcohol, do you feel at the edge of despair when you wake up?
(1) Almost never
(2) Sometimes
(3) Often
(4) Nearly always - The day after drinking alcohol, do you feel frightened when you wake up?
(1) Almost never
(2) Sometimes
(3) Often
(4) Nearly always - The day after drinking alcohol, do you like a drink in the morning?
(1) Almost never
(2) Sometimes
(3) Often
(4) Nearly always - The day after drinking alcohol, do you gulp your first few drinks down as fast as possible?
(1) Almost never
(2) Sometimes
(3) Often
(4) Nearly always - The day after drinking alcohol, do you drink to get rid of the shakes?
(1) Almost never
(2) Sometimes
(3) Often
(4) Nearly always - The day after drinking alcohol, do you have a strong craving for drink when you wake up?
(1) Almost never
(2) Sometimes
(3) Often
(4) Nearly always - During a heavy drinking period, do you drink more than 1/4 bottle of spirits (or 1 bottle of wine, or 4 pints of beer) each day.
(1) Almost never
(2) Sometimes
(3) Often
(4) Nearly always - During a heavy drinking period, do you drink more than half a bottle of spirits per day (8 pints of beer, 2 bottles of wine).
(1) Almost never
(2) Sometimes
(3) Often
(4) Nearly always - During a heavy drinking period, do you drink more than a bottle of spirits per day (3 bottles of wine, 5 litres of cider or 10 pints of lager)
(1) Almost never
(2) Sometimes
(3) Often
(4) Nearly always - During a heavy drinking period, do you drink more than 2 bottles of spirits per day (7 bottles of wine, 9 litres of cider, 20 pints of beer).
(1) Almost never
(2) Sometimes
(3) Often
(4) Nearly alwaysFOR THE NEXT 4 QUESTIONS:
Imagine you have been abstinent for a few weeks, then drink heavily for a couple of days. - The morning after would you start to sweat?
(0) Not at all
(1) Slightly
(2) Moderately
(3) Nearly always
(4) I haven't been abstinent for that long, so it's hard to say - ...would your hands shake?
(0) Not at all
(1) Slightly
(2) Moderately
(3) Nearly always
(4) I haven't been abstinent for that long, so it's hard to say - ...would your body shake?
(0) Not at all
(1) Slightly
(2) Moderately
(3) Nearly always
(4) I haven't been abstinent for that long, so it's hard to say - ...would you be craving for a drink?
(0) Not at all
(1) Slightly
(2) Moderately
(3) Nearly always
(4) I haven't been abstinent for that long, so it's hard to say
Scoring the Test
The test is scored by totaling the numbers in the parenthesis next to the answers given by the participant.
- A score of less than 3 indicates no alcohol dependence.
- A score between 4 and 20 indicates mild dependence.
- A score between 20 and 30 indicates moderate dependence.
- A score of over 30 indicates severe dependence.
Addiction, Dependence, and Abuse Tests
July 24, 2010 by summit-admin
Filed under Addiction, Dependence, and Abuse Tests
Summit Malibu offers the following drug addiction, drug dependence, and drug abuse tests and assessments to help people in determining the seriousness of drug and alcohol problems they may be facing.
These tests are not meant to replace a professional evaluation.
As with any potentially life-threatening medical condition, a professional medical assessment is highly recommended.
Summit Malibu is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide a no-cost, no-commitment, confidential evaluation for problems with drug and alcohol addiction and abuse.
Click the links below to view the following addiction, dependence, and abuse tests:
- Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV)
- International Statistical Classification of Diseases (ICD 10)
- 20 Questions (Johns Hopkins)
- Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)
- Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST)
- Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (MAST)
- Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire(SADQ)
Governmental Addiction Recovery Resources
July 24, 2010 by summit-admin
Filed under Governmental Resources
Summit Malibu offers the following partial list of governmental resources for information on addiction and other treatment related resources.
The U.S. Government has created the following resources for addiction treatment and support.
- The National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI):
- Comprehensive source of information and searchable databases on substance abuse prevention.
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism(NIAAA):
- Supports and conducts research on causes, consequences, treatment and prevention of alcoholism and alcohol related problems.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
- Lead the nation in bringing the power of science to bear on drug abuse and addiction.
- Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)
- Establishes policies, priorities, and objectives for the nation's drug control program.
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA):
- Assures that quality substance abuse and mental health services are available to people in need and strives to ensure that prevention and treatment knowledge is used more effectively in the general health care system.
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
July 14, 2010 by summit-admin
Filed under Dual Diagnosis/Co-Occurring Disorders, Personality
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is defined "as a prolonged disturbance of personality characterized by depth and variability of moods." The disorder typically involves unusual levels of instability in mood; black and white thinking, or splitting; chaotic and unstable interpersonal relationships; unstable self-image, identity, and behavior; and a disturbance in the individual's sense of self.
In extreme cases, this disturbance in the sense of self can lead to periods of dissociation, or mental breakdown.
Borderline personality disorder can have a long-term negative impact on many aspects of a person's life. This includes sometimes extreme difficulties in relationships at work, home, and in social situations. Self-harming is also a symptom, with attempted (or complete) suicide a possibility, especially without proper care and effective therapy.
The negative emotional states of BPD are grouped into four categories:
- Destructive or self-destructive feelings,
- Extreme feelings in general,
- Feelings of fragmentation or lack of identity, and
- Feelings of victimization.
Individuals suffering from BPD tend to view the world generally as dangerous and malevolent, and tend to view themselves as powerless, vulnerable, and unacceptable.
They can be very sensitive to the way others treat them, reacting strongly to perceived criticism or hurtfulness. Their feelings about others often shift from positive to negative, generally after a disappointment or perceived threat of losing someone.
Self-image can also change rapidly from extremely positive to extremely negative. Impulsive behaviors are common, including alcohol or drug abuse, unsafe sex, gambling and recklessness in general.
Individuals with BPD engage in high levels of intimacy- or novelty-seeking, and yet are very alert to signs of rejection or not being valued. They tend toward insecure, avoidant or ambivalent, or fearfully preoccupied patterns in relationships.
It is very important to locate professionals who are experienced and qualified in the treatment of borderline personality disorder.
Many professional studies recommend against the use of medication for treating BPD. Antidepressants, antipsychotics and mood stabilizers such as lithium are often used to treat co-occurring symptoms such as depression.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) has been show to be very effective in the treatment of borderline personality disorder.
Several types of psychotherapy for BPD have developed in recent years. Studies suggest that people with BPD can benefit on at least some outcome measures. Supportive therapy alone may enhance self-esteem and mobilize the existing strengths of individuals. Psychotherapy can often be conducted either with individuals or with groups. Group therapy can aid the learning and practice of interpersonal skills and self-awareness by individuals with BPD.
Dual Diagnosis/Co-Occurring Disorder
Borderline personality disorder often occurs together with substance abuse and substance dependence disorders. Often the substance use is the result of an attempt to "self-medicate" but just as often substance dependence is the primary disorder with BDP being secondary. In either case, both disorders must be treated simultaneously to achieve an effective outcome.
Non-Governmental Organizations
June 22, 2010 by summit-admin
Filed under Non-Governmental Resources
The organizations and links below are simply resources for you to find more information, research and statistics about drugs, drug abuse, drug addiction and recovery, so that you can make your own informed and educated conclusions.
- An educational site focusing on addiction issues, especially opiate addiction and treatment.
- Dedicated to educating the public about the effects of alcohol, alcoholism and treatment.
- Publisher of prevention literature.
- Mental Illness, Drug Addiction and Alcoholism, MIDAA(R), MICA.
- Internet Clearinghouse of resources, support and information.
- Information on alcohol and the social and health consequences of its misuse.
- National resource center and meeting place for communities working to reduce substance abuse and gun violence.
- Educational resource covering all aspects of alcoholism.
- Directory of mental health resources.
- Website that answers questions about methadone and has Methadone Anonymous support.
- Information on the cost of substance abuse throughout society and its impact on our lives.
- Provides education, information, help and hope in the fight against substance abuse.
- Dedicated to promoting public and professional recognition, awareness and understanding of Sexual Addiction, Sexual Compulsivity, and Sexual Offending.
- A resource for parents, educators and professionals on inhalant abuse.
- A website and that helps people locate addiction treatment centers and drug rehabilitation programs.
- Woodbury Reports presents resources for parents and professionals trying to help at-risk teenagers.
- Educational site about why teens begin using, what they are using, and how those drugs are affecting teens physically, socially, and mentally.
- Provides accurate information about alcohol and other drug addictions. Resource for anyone needing factual information about abused drugs.
Over 80 Hours of Therapy per Client, per Month
June 1, 2010 by summit-admin
Filed under The Summit Malibu Difference, Therapeutic
Summit Malibu clients receive over 80 hours of therapy per month, personally conducted by Doctorate and Masters level therapists - a standard that most other treatment centers fail to achieve.
Other treatment centers claim to provide high-level therapy, but in actual practice therapy sessions are often conducted by non-degreed counselors working “under the supervision of” a therapist.
If you are considering another treatment center, find out how often their therapy sessions are personally conducted by Doctorate and Masters level therapists.
Problem Drinking
January 25, 2010 by summit-admin
Filed under Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse
The term "problem drinking" is commonly used to indicate that a person may be developing a drinking problem, but may or may not have reached the stage of alcohol dependence. Problem drinking can be viewed as similar to alcohol abuse, which is defined as "the recurring use of alcoholic beverages despite negative consequences."
If someone is having problems that are related to their drinking, and they are continuing to drink, then they are by definition a "problem drinker."
Whether a problem drinker is simply using alcohol to help deal with their problems, has reached the stage of alcohol abuse, or has reached the stage of alcohol dependence (alcoholism) depends on the extent to which they have developed a pathological dependence.
Alcohol abuse is characterized by "continuing to drink despite negative consequences" such as failing to meet obligations at work, school, or home, drinking while driving or using machinery, legal problems from drinking, or social and relationship problems from drinking.
Alcohol dependence includes all the above symptoms, but also includes symptoms such as tolerance (needing to drink more to achieve the same effect) and withdrawal (distress such as craving a drink, anxiety, tremors, and even seizures and hallucinations when not drinking).
Once a problem drinker begins experiencing the symptoms of tolerance and withdrawal they have probably reached the stage of alcohol dependence.
Periodic Drinking
January 21, 2010 by summit-admin
Filed under Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse
Periodic drinking is defined as alcohol abuse that occurs in periodic intervals rather than on a regular basis. For example, a periodic drinker may not drink during the work week, but may drink abusively over the weekend.
Contrary to popular opinion, periodic drinking does not exclude the drinker from developing problems of alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence (alcoholism).
Binge drinking is just one form of periodic drinking. Periodic drinking can take the form of controlled drinking for short periods, rather than intense drinking all at once, such as drinking slowly and steadily over a weekend.
Periodic drinking is often cited by problem drinkers and alcoholics as evidence that they still have control over their drinking. They believe that if they can stop or regulate their drinking for any period of time, that this means they have control. On deeper examination, however, this defense often breaks down. One way to test if a periodic drinker has reached the stage of alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence is to have them attempt to stop drinking for an extended period.
If a periodic drinker has difficulty not drinking for a longer period than they are used to, this may indicate a problem of alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM IV) of the American Psychiatric Association defines Alcohol Abuse as "the recurring use of alcoholic beverages despite negative consequences." This definition can be applied just as easily to periodic drinkers.
If a period drinker is experiencing negative consequences due to drinking and is continuing to drink - even periodically - then by definition they have a drinking problem.
Binge Drinking
January 19, 2010 by summit-admin
Filed under Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse
Binge Drinking is defined as very heavy drinking over a short period of time. Drinkers who engage in binge drinking generally want to maximize the effect of alcohol as much as possible in as short a time as possible.
Binge drinking is very popular among young people, with over 7 million people aged 12 to 20 engaging in binge drinking.
42% of college students report binge drinking.
75% of the alcohol consumed by college students is consumed by binge drinkers.
A popular misconception of binge drinking is that it is somehow different from alcohol abuse or alcoholic drinking. This idea rises from the misconception that alcoholics are all daily drinkers, and that anyone who "only drinks on weekends" or "only drinks at parties" is somehow exempt from alcohol dependence.
Alcohol dependence (alcoholism) can develop whether or not the drinker is a daily drinker, a periodic drinker, or a binge drinker.
Binge drinking can be very dangerous. The following health problems are associated with binge drinking:
- Liver disease.
- High blood pressure, stroke, and other forms of cardiovascular disease.
- Neurological damage.
- Sexually transmitted diseases.
- Unintentional pregnancy.
- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (if pregnant women binge drink).
- Unintentional injuries (such as car accidents, falls, etc.).
- Intentional injuries (such as injuries from firearms, domestic violence, etc.).
- Alcohol poisoning.
Alcohol poisoning can occur during binge drinking.
Alcohol poisoning is a serious condition that can occur when the blood alcohol concentration rises too high. Symptoms include severe vomiting, depressed respirations, and seizures. It can result in coma and can be fatal. Alcohol poisoning requires immediate medical attention and often hospitalization in order to stabilize the patient.
