NURSING 3004 Mental Health Nursing

Introduction:

Mental illness can be defined as an individual or an amalgamation of health adversities that involves alterations in the thought process, emotion, and/or behaviour of the individuals (Lehman & Dixon, 2016). Mental illnesses encompass a variety of health adversities or concerns which causes distress and challenges for the individual to actively and effectively function in the society, in the profession and among the family. Hence, undoubtedly mental illness is a grave and also quiet common health care concern, however, there have been many controversies regarding the onset or origin of the mental illnesses. Although, there have been many theories that have explored the contributing factor and risks to developing a mental illness, the debate has been made by the problematic drug used (Barry et al., 2014).  

Substance abuse can be defined as the patterned drug use which is associated with the user consuming the drugs or substances in an uncontrolled manner which has the potential to harm the health and wellbeing of the individual. There have been arguments in the world of psychiatry regarding whether substance abuse precedes and contributes to development of mental illnesses or the impact of the mental illness somehow deteriorates or causes the mental illnesses (Azbel et al., 2015). The dual diagnosis of mental illness and substance abuse often represents a dilemma to the health care professionals in terms of what interventions can be provided. This essay will focus on the interrelation between the substance abuse and mental illnesses and how the interrelation affects the care and intervention for people with dual diagnosis.

Discussion:

There is mounting evidence that indicates at the co-relation between substance abuse and mental illness (Lê Cook et al., 2014). The psycho- active drugs when consumed for a prolonged period of time have the potential to alter the neuro- sensitivity and affect the brain functioning of the individuals. Hence, undoubtedly the relation between the problematic drug abuse and onset of a variety of mental illnesses such as personality disorder, psychosis and schizophrenia is very important. The Ogloff et al. (2015) have mentioned that the substance abuse complicates almost all kinds of health disorders among different age groups. However, in case of mental illnesses, the impact of the problematic drug use is very impactful on the health and welfare of the patients under consideration. It has to be mentioned in this context that the substance abuse is associated with a variety of alterations in brain functioning and provides the students with the scope of developing mental illnesses in  the long run without a doubt. Along with that, it is also needed to be considered that having a mental illness also destroys the logical thinking and inhibitions in a human being and can undoubtedly propel the individual to enhance the level of drug abuse.

Relationship between the problematic drug use and mental illness:

Considering the relationship between the problematic drug use and mental illness, it has to be mentioned that drug abuse plays a fundamental role in deciding the level of drug abuse and dependence in the individual as well. As per the global statistics, there are almost 8.2 million adults worldwide that are reported to be presented with the co-occurring disorders of mental illness and problematic drug abuse. In order to discuss the relation between the drug abuse and mental illness, the most considerable argument is the fact that problematic drug abuse itself is a very strong mental illness. In rationale of this school of thought many psychology authors have indicated at the effect of the drug abuse on the brain of the individual (McGinty et al., 2015). As discussed before, the impact of substantial drug consumption can affect and in certain cases even alter or disrupt the hierarchy of desires and needs of the abusers leading them to perceive the drug abuse to be the first priority over any other activity. These alterations caused by the psychoactive agents diminishes the inhibitions in an individual to control the compulsion to reduce the level of substance abuse, leading to continued substance regardless of the potential harms and effects on the health and wellbeing of the individual.

Considering the definitions and data provided by the DSM, or the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, the vital characteristics of the substance use disorder is the fact that the underlying alterations in the brain circuits might persist even beyond the phase of detoxification (Grant et al., 2016). As a result the impact of the addiction is long term and the mental deterioration it causes are also require long term treatment approaches as well. Hence, it can be stated that a problematic addiction to the cocaine or heroin has a string impact on the mental functionality which in turn can be considered to be extremely effective in propelling the onset and/or aggravation of mental illnesses or disorders.

Conversely, it has to be acknowledged in this context as well, the people with mental illnesses are also a very important contributing factor which leads to problematic drug abuse. It has to be mentioned in this context that there is an ample amount of empirical evidence which indicates at a variety of mental illnesses which leads to enhanced problematic drug abuse. As a matter of fact, in most cases for mental disorders such as personality disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and behavioural concerns including serious mental illness such as schizophrenia the chances of the probability of the patients going for an president it and uncontrolled substance abuse is extremely high.  As mentioned by the author substance abuse and mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety disorders, where are some substance abusers can increasingly cause problem psychotic reactions although it has been mentioned that what does not directly cause the other (Van der Kolk, 2017).

Although, the phenomenon of drug induced psychosis cannot be ignored in this context.  On a more elaborative note, drug induced psychosis can be defined as the psychotic symptoms which is aggravated are caused by the problematic use of psychoactive drugs or agents. There are a variety of recreational and prescription drugs which can induce psychotic symptoms which can lead to or aggravate severe psychiatric disorders.  Drug induced psychosis is a very severe mental health concern which leads to suicide little dangerous in violent behaviour (Roberts et al., 2016).  The common drugs or psychoactive agents associated with drug induced psychosis includes the drugs like cocaine, cannabis and other such hallucinogens which can easily accessory with activate symptoms of mental instability and in certain cases can even initiate the onset of a mental illness.  With respect to the contradictory theories in schools of thoughts, it is very difficult to determine whether problematic drug abuse gives rise to mental illness or vice a versa.  However, it can be surely mentioned that mental illness and substance abuse has been reported to coexist in the majority of the cases  and each of the factors are known to activate the other two data detect the condition of the patient even further (Roberts et al., 2016).

Dual diagnosis and its implications:

Hence, it can be clearly mentioned that there is a substantial connection between mental health disorders and problematic substance abuse.  It can also be mentioned that any number of combinations can develop within the dual diagnosis of substance abuse and mental health disorders.  Furthermore for such different combinations within the diagnostic procedure each of the diagnostic patterns can present itself with its own set of unique causes and symptoms along with its own appropriate intervention which the dual diagnosis treatment methods will involve. In order to property understand the implications for dual diagnosis and dual diagnosis treatment for patients that are suffering from a co-occurring mental health illness and problematic drug abuse it is very important to understand what the dual diagnosis phenomenon entails.  Dual diagnosis can be defined as the diagnostic procedure which affirms the CO occurrence of more than one health adversities which is affecting the patient and in most cases it only associates two major health adversities.  In case of such dual diagnosis is where the patients present the Healthcare facility with a common mental health concern including anxiety problem or depression or behavioral issues and a persistent substance abuse it is very difficult for the mental healthcare provider to decide which problem has occurred before and has led to the accompanying issue (Beidel & Frueh, 2018).

In the past, the most of the treatment modalities have addressed the problem of dual diagnosis involving a mental illness and substance abuse.  As a result the treatment modalities will a transpose of the concerns separately as two distinct systems.  Also this particular treatment modality will eventually address both of the concerns that the patient with the devil diagnosis is having it is very difficult for both of the treatment modalities to interlace with each other and provide a more holistic approach to recovery.  It has to be mentioned that the treatment for a mental health will focus more on antipsychotics and counseling therapies for as a treatment for traumatic drug abuse will focus entirely on pharmacological interventions mostly (McGovern et al., 2014).  The stark contrast between poles of the treatment modalities can make it very difficult for the patient to be able to add her to the post of the separate systems and continue to recover without the any of the treatment addressing the overall health needs of a patient representing a dual diagnosis of mental illness accompanied by problematic drug abuse.  Hence, due to the negative implications of a separate treatment system modality innovative and evolution and its treatment modalities and now focusing on integrated approach that’s whale link the treatment focused on both the mental disorder and the substance abuse so that the patient and his or her individualized care needs can be addressed holistically.

Elaborating on the issue of further, the effective management of either the substance used to sort out the mental illness can be challenging.  There is mounting evidence that indicates at the dual diagnosis being the perpetrator of challenging behavior in the patient including aggression cell farming tendencies withdrawal and resistance coupled with non compliance which will inevitably reduce the probability of success of any treatment of recovery programs.  It has been mentioned that the gold diagnosis integrative approach is aimed at addressing the individualized and unique care needs of a patient that is struggling with to health disorders at the same time mental illness and problematic drug abuse.   Moreover, for a dual diagnosis like this both of the health adversities act against each other aggravating each problem with varied intensity (Priester et al., 2016). in everything most the problematic drug abuse will activate the deterioration rate of the mental illness and as the mental health disorders of the patient at the events for that he will be further more propelled to prioritize the irresistible poll of substance abuse as well. Hence, even the integrative approach of dual diagnosis treatment can face a number of challenges or barriers for successful implementation and optimal efficiency of its functionality.  First and foremost silence that the dual diagnosis integrative treatment approach faces is the lack of knowledge and understanding in the patient and their family. Due to this factor in most cases the patient and their families perceive the mental illness to be the priority challenge which need immediate medical intervention, where as the substance abuse is brushed off as a side effect of the mental illness which will go away as the mental illness subsides. Most of the patients and their family members think along these lines, which in turn lead to negative percival and resistance to this integrative approach while providing treatment (Ogloff et al., 2015).  

Another very important challenge for this treatment modality is the lack of training and understanding in the existing mental health care staff regarding both substance abuse and mental illness at the same time.  Fitness me mentioned that holistic mental Healthcare integrative approaches are focused more on behavioral and cognitive counseling than just focusing on the pharmacological approach of healing.  Hence, it is imperative for the staff to have a clear understanding of both the disorders and how they complement each other in order to be able to provide adequate patient-centered Holistic care.  However, it also needs to be acknowledge in this context that the number of stars that are adequately trains in management both of the disorders and in the dual diagnosis treatment phenomenon are slowly increasing.  However, it has to be mentioned in this context that soon the integrated approach of dual diagnosis will take over the conventional treatment approaches in an attempt of surfing patients with dual diagnosis of mental illness and problematic drug abuse more efficiently and effectively (Lê Cook et al., 2014).

Possible intervention recommendations and recovery oriented care:

In terms of possible intervention of the dual diagnosis of mental illness and problematic drug abuse a few recommendations can be made based on the best available evidence of literature.  First and foremost better awareness and promotion of dual diagnosis of mental illness and problematic drug abuse will be very important interventions which can change the mindset of the population regarding these healthcare issues.  This in turn will lead to the success of integrative treatment approaches. Along with that enhancing the staff ratio that are skill with better knowledge and understanding of dual diagnosis and how to manage situations is also a very important need of the hour in this context which cannot be ignored.  Apart from these major recommendations, there are needs of modifying and improvising the caring approach of the mental health care staff which can also facilitate in metal recovery for the patients.  First and foremost the context of recovery oriented care model of mental health care can be considered (Roberts et al., 2016).  

The recovery oriented care model is a very popular concept in the Australian healthcare system and in most cases the principles of these recovery oriented models of holistic and patient centre in a man or two facilities and tell the most optimal care planning and implementation to address the individualized needs of a patient.  in case of mentally ill patient with it was that knows his account balance particular mental health disorders long is problematic drug abuse,  the recovery oriented care model implemented in his or her care planning and implementation will lead to many benefits.  There are six principles to the recovery of oriented care models and each of the principal addresses the dignity respect empowerment hope and international uniqueness of the patients.  The first principle is uniqueness of the individual where the mental health staff is directed to focus on the individualized and unique condition of the patient and their needs (Health.gov.au, 2018).  The second principle is valuing and respecting the real choices of the patient which helps in empowering the patient and helping them cope with both the mental illness and substance disorder side-by-side.  Third and fourth principle prospects the attitudes rights dignity and need for respect of the patient. The fifth principle is partnership and communication where it is considered that the patient is expert of their own lived experiences and it is very important for the recovery planning to also the patient’s expertise over the planning and implementation.  The last principle is evaluating the recovery where the patient should be installed with hope and optimism so that he can find the strength to overcome the grasp of problematic drug abuse and can recover from the mental illness (Health.gov.au, 2018).  Undoubtedly, implementing this holistic and patient centred recovery oriented approaches in the dual diagnosis treatment integrative approach can help the patient and their families collaborate in the care planning and control the recovery progress aiming at successful and speedy recover.  

Conclusion:

On a concluding note, the dual diagnosis of mental illness and problematic drug abuse is becoming a public health priority for both developing and developed nations.  Although, the co- occurring disorder is not restricted to a particular age group, the alarmingly high rate of prevalence in the youth and adolescents for this problem cannot be ignored.  There are different innovative and revolutionary techniques being implemented in the care program undoubtedly. Yet, there is still a massive gap which needs to be addressed for the dual diagnosis treatment to be integrated and holistic for these patients.  It has to be mentioned that the social stigmatization complicates the lived experience of such patients incredibly. Hence, while receiving care it is very important for these patients to be treated with as much respect and dignity as possible along with treating both the mental illness and the problematic drug abuse. This essay has successfully explored and evaluated the implications of dual diagnosis of a mental illness and problematic drug abuse the relation of both of these health disorders and possible intervention recommendation which can be implemented to the dual diagnosis treatment modality presently to help the patients receive a systematic holistic and recovery oriented care model.

References:

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