Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders Mental health and substance use disorders affect people from all walks of life and all age groups. These illnesses are common, recurrent, and often serious, but they are treatable and many people do recover. Mental disorders involve changes in thinking, mood, and/or behavior. These disorders can affect how we relate to others and make choices. Reaching a level that can be formally diagnosed often depends on a reduction in a person’s ability to function as a result of the disorder. Serious mental illness is defined by someone over 18 having (within the past year) a diagnosable mental, behavior, or emotional disorder that causes serious functional impairment that substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities. For people under the age of 18, the term “Serious Emotional Disturbance” refers to a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder in the past year, which resulted in functional impairment that subst...
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Alcohol and Drug Addiction Happens in Families and It Hurts Dependence on alcohol and drugs is a serious public health problem. It is prevalent among rich and poor and all ethnic and social groups. Many people misuse or are dependent on alcohol or drugs. Most of them have families who suffer the consequences, often serious, of living with this illness. If there is alcohol or drug dependence in your family, remember you are not alone. Most individuals who abuse alcohol or drugs have jobs and are productive members of society creating a false hope in the family that “it’s not that bad.” The problem is that addiction tends to worsen over time, hurting both the addicted person and all the family members. It is especially damaging to young children and adolescents. People with this illness really may believe that they drink normally or that “everyone” takes drugs. These false beliefs are called denial; this denial is a part of the illness. Drug or alcohol dependence disorders are ...
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Benefits of Walking The latest research shows that sitting may be more harmful to your health than smoking. Getting up off the couch and going for a walk can put you well on your way to preventing everything from heart disease and diabetes to high blood pressure, depression, memory problems, and more. Of course, you probably know that any physical activity, including walking, is a boon to your overall health. But walking in particular comes with a host of benefits. Here's a list of five that may surprise you. 1. It counteracts the effects of weight-promoting genes. Harvard researchers looked at 32 obesity-promoting genes in over 12,000 people to determine how much these genes actually contribute to body weight. They then discovered that, among the study participants who walked briskly for about an hour a day, the effects of those genes were cut in half. 2. It helps tame a sweet tooth. A pair of studies from the University of Exeter found that a 15-minute...
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Peer support workers help clients navigate the road to recovery Recovery from a dual diagnosis or substance use challenge doesn’t happen alone. As the pandemic has pushed more people to seek treatment for mental health and substance use challenges, the courageous work of those throughout the health care continuum – the professionals who provide physical health and mental health treatment and services – has become more evident. We must tell their stories, celebrate their selfless dedication and acknowledge their work to improve the wellbeing of those they care for. They are the ones who make sure no one travels alone on the road to recovery. Peer support workers represent a unique link in the continuum of care because of their efforts to help clients who seek dual diagnosis and substance use treatment. It’s likely many people have never interacted with a peer support worker, but their role is invaluable. They support the work of therapists, case managers and doctors as par...
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Importance of Psychoeducation Psychoeducation plays a vital role in the treatment and rehabilitation of substance abuse, dual diagnosis, drug induced psychosis and psychiatric clients. Psychoeducation should be given to the clients, families of clients or significant others during the treatment and rehabilitation and also during the aftercare phase. Clients should be taught the signs and symptoms of the condition while educating them about the effects of medication they are consuming, the side effects and the importance of follow up sessions, the importance of engaging in psychosocial activities and skills so that they can understand better their condition and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Basically, it is an activity in which information is delivered and clients and their families are informed on how to manage the condition and knowing what to do during the crisis. Psychoeducation sessions can be conducted by trained healthcare professionals during clients’ visits for review...
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Importance of medication in the treatment of psychiatric disorders After a client is diagnosed for a psychiatric illness and psychotropic medication given by a psychiatrist, it is very important to take the medication as prescribed. Family members must make sure that the medication are taken by the client regularly and swallowed properly and goes into the stomach. They must observe the throat movement when the client swallows the oral medication to make sure it goes in. Sometimes the client may not take the medication or may hide the medication from taking. They can even hide the medication under the tongue, in between the teeth, won’t swallow the medication and can vomit out the medication without the family members knowing. The reasons for not taking the medication are no insight, suicidal thoughts and due to unpleasant side effects of the medication. Family members must always explain during the daily activities that the client has a psychiatric problem and the medication ca...
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Drug induced psychosis and dual diagnosis clients should be assessed for their psychotic signs and symptoms. They must be mentally stabilised with medication before psycho social interventions can be conducted to treat and rehabilitate them. Clients should be counselled about the importance of medication and their side effects so that they will understand the nature of the treatment better. Besides, the diagnosis and treatment aspect of the condition must be explained to them. Family members must be aware of this too through psycho education or during family association sessions so that they can also comprehend the nature of the disease as well as the behaviour of their loved ones. Once the clients are mentally stable with medication and able to use all the coping skills to cope with their daily life routines, then they can function as normal as possible. Family support is very crucial in the recovery process of the clients. Job placement can be done later so that the clients can ...