If you experience mental health issues whilst also having a problematic substance misuse, you may be given something called a ‘dual diagnosis’. This is when both problems are diagnosed together. There is a range of services which can help with this. For example, if you have anxiety and an alcohol addiction, there will be alcohol rehabs which can help with your anxiety too.
Mental health and social services
It is important to note that when you have been given a dual diagnosis, the mental health services will be responsible for your treatment – instead of the drug or alcohol services available. This should refer you to help with the following things:
- Housing
- Employment
- Benefits
The professional mental health advisors will have to assess your needs fully. You will need to tell them as much as you can about yourself and the current circumstances you are in. They may refer you to other professionals to ensure you get the best help that you need. You might be referred to an assertive outreach team or a community health team. In some cases, you will be allocated a care coordinator and have a plan written for you under the CPA – which is a care programme approach.
Drug and alcohol services for support
You will be encouraged to stop taking drugs or drinking alcohol, and you will be offered help to aid you in this. If this is the case, you may have one-to-one support with an allocated support worker.
If you are stopping drinking alcohol, the likelihood is you will need to be admitted to hospital or a detox clinic before possibly rehab. This is because stopping after a period of prolonged, heavy drinking can be extremely dangerous. Medicine may be needed to help with the withdrawal symptoms (antipsychotic, benzodiazepine).
There are programmes recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence which have been created to help people stay off drugs. This includes motivational interviewing, and contingency management. With contingency management, you might be offered incentives (such as vouchers for shops) to encourage you to stop taking drugs.
Self-help group meetings
If you are looking for extra support, ask about the self-help groups in your area. Here, you can talk about the mental health problems you have, and also the drug use. These meetings can be very helpful to make you feel as though you are not alone. Listening to other peoples experiences can give you the motivation you need to break free.
Many organisations and charities run self-help groups. Research what is available to you.
