Addiction Service

Addiction and addiction recovery have many definitions. The most important and consistent finding is that drug addiction is a Medical Disease. Thus, addiction requires medical treatment. Suboxone and new medications are now available to treat this medical disease in Southwest Florida, Naples, Bonita Springs and Fort Myers. This addiction is what keeps someone in a cycle of bad habits. However, what first causes the behavior that becomes abused is a separate beast. If one is fortunate enough to recognize the cause and intervene, the medical disease of addiction will not endure.

Dual Diagnosis is extremely common in drug addiction. Many chronic drug abusers–the individuals we commonly regard as addicts–often simultaneously suffer from a serious mental disorder. In 2002 an estimated 4.0 million adults met the criteria for both serious mental illness and substance dependence or abuse in the past year. Drug treatment and medical professionals call this condition a co-occurring disorder or a dual diagnosis. Chronic drug abuse may occur in conjunction with any mental illness identified in the American Psychiatric Association Manual (DSM-IV). Some common serious mental disorders associated with chronic drug abuse include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, manic depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, and antisocial personality disorder. Some of these disorders carry with them an increased risk of drug abuse (see table below).

The following table based on a National Institute of Mental Health study, lists seven major psychiatric disorders and shows how much each one increases an individual’s risk for substance abuse.

Psychiatric Disorder


Antisocial Personality Disorder
Manic Episode
Schizophrenia
Panic Disorder
Major Depressive Episode
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Phobias

Increased Risk of
Substance Abuse

15.5%
14.5%
10.1%
4.3%
4.1%
3.4%
2.4%

How Can Addiction Be Treated?

Outpatient addiction recovery is often treated in my office. If the condition is very complicated, then the patient may require inpatient treatment. Meth addiction and Cocaine addiction can now be successfully overcome with Prometa. Oxycontin addiction can be treated with Suboxone in South Florida, Naples, and Fort Myers. If you live in Marco Island, Fort Myers, or Southwest Florida, then Pain Killer Detox help is available. Don’t continue to suffer from Cocaine or Oxycodone addiction; Dual Diagnosis is a treatable disease.