Women with Dual Diagnosis Disorders

Psychiatric Disorders in Women with Problem Drinking

Risk of Alcohol Use Disorders

The risks of both physical and mental health problems in women who use alcohol are directly related to their pattern, frequency, and amount drinking. Studies have shown that alcohol use disorders (AUDs) in women are closely related to binge drinking and heavy drinking. U.S. data have shown that women over the age of 50 who binge drink (four or more drinks on each occasion) have in excess of three times the risk of alcohol abuse and at least five times the risk of dependence on alcohol compared to those who do not binge drink. It should also be noted that both men and women are at greater risk of Alcohol Use Disorders if they start drinking alcohol at an early age.
Dual diagnosis disorders, otherwise termed as co-morbid or co-occurring disorders or “double trouble”, is a term referring to co-existing conditions, namely one or more psychological disorders occurring at the same time with alcohol and / or drug abuse or chemical dependency problem. Mental health disorders commonly associated with alcohol or drug abuse include depression and anxiety disorders, and these are in fact some of the most frequent dual diagnosis disorders.

Psychiatric Disorders Related to Alcohol Use Disorders

Depression: Studies have shown that in those with AUDs, depression symptoms are more common and likely to occur. A U.S. twin study showed that the diagnoses of major depressive disorder and alcohol dependence were significantly correlated in women. The National Epidemiologic Study on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) data showed that women who had been diagnosed with major depression were more likely to report signs of alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence compared to non-depressed women. Depressed women are also more likely to binge drink. For instance, in U.S. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System surveys, lifelong problems with depression were more likely to occur in women who participated in binge drinking, defined as four or more drinks in a day.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Diagnosis or symptoms of PTSD have been strongly correlated with alcohol use disorders. In a follow up study from the U.S. National Survey of Adolescents, women who were diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder were at least two times more likely as other women to be diagnosed with an alcohol abuse disorder. PTSD may not be a cause of excessive drinking, but the extremely distressing symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder may lead a woman to drink heavily in order to cope with the stress.
Eating Disorders: Research has frequently shown that eating disorders in women, like anorexia and bulimia nervosa, have been linked to problem drinking. In a systematic analysis of 41 studies in the U.S. and Canada, there was strong evidence of a strong relationship between Alcohol Use Disorders and eating disorders in women. However, it should be noted that some researchers believe the links between eating disorders and problem drinking are more related to factors like the woman’s personality, distress tolerance and other factors than to the eating disorder being caused by, or the cause of, alcohol drinking.
Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior: Some studies have reported associations between suicide and alcohol use in women. A study of Swedish women who were hospitalized due to suicidal behavior showed that those women who were also diagnosed with alcohol abuse or dependence were at greater risk of committing suicide later in life. Many studies of women in the general population have shown that thoughts about suicide were strongly associated with frequent, heavy, and more hazardous alcohol drinking patterns. For example, in a longitudinal study of women between the ages of 26 and 54 in the U.S., heavy alcohol drinking was strongly correlated with suicidal thoughts and behavior. A large National Longitudinal Alcohol Epidemiologic Survey showed similar results with a strong association between suicidal or and alcohol dependence in women.
Because our treatment center relies on evidence based practices, our Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient Program shares many common methods with other successful rehab programs. The foundations of our program for substance abuse treatment also rely on the principles of harm reduction, motivational interviewing, stages of change and cognitive behavioral therapy to promote recovery from alcohol abuse and drug treatment. Additionally, we specialize in the treatment of co-occurring disorders, the presence of a substance abuse and psychiatric disorder. In fact, our Intensive Outpatient Program in Memphis, TN that has been proven to be effective in the treatment of these dual diagnosis disorders such as alcohol abuse and depression in peer reviewed treatment outcome studies. Our treatment center provides services to those who need more treatment than one hour a week, but less than 24 hour care, by providing three hours of treatment per day, three to five days per week, in an intensive outpatient setting. If you or a loved one is showing signs of a dual diagnosis alcohol and psychiatric disorder and is need of treatment rehab, they should be assessed by a trained mental health professional who can help design an integrated treatment plan that can result in recovery from their co-occurring disorder. Dual diagnosis disorders treatment can be highly successful. Call us at 901-682-6136 to schedule an appointment.
Source: http://alcoholismdrugabuse.com