Co occurring disorders are a mystery to some people. What defines a co occurring disorder is when two conditions exist at the same time. The perfect example is found in my younger sister. She is diagnosed as having bipolar disorder and also suffers from a drug addiction. The drug addiction, I believe, is a result of the bipolar disorder. My sister says that the drugs help her to stop fighting within her loud mind. This is the case with millions of people worldwide and it is a lot more common than you may think. Drugs are often what a person will turn to when the noise in their heads gets too loud.
Treating co occurring disorders is possible. First the active addiction must be eliminated. This can be done through rehabilitation – either inpatient or out patient. Once the detoxification is complete, the underlying cause – in my sister’s case bipolar disorder – needs to be diagnosed and treated. Therapy is the best option for diagnosing an illness such as bipolar disorder. However, while the co occurring disorders can be treated, they must first be diagnosed. Some doctors will spot the drug addiction without the underlying cause. If someone like my sister is sent to rehab to battle her drug addiction but not her bipolar disorder, she is far more likely to relapse than someone who does not have an underlying medical illness or condition.
