•+Treatment


 * Concurrent Disorders and Seeking Treatment**

Individuals in the stage of preparation are learning to identify situations where they are at risk of heavy drinking and to recognize their existing cognitive behavioural skills to cope in these situations (Sanchez-Craig, 1996). Skill deficits may also be identified (Sanchez-Craig). These people need motivation and to accept the goal (Sanchez-Craig). The intention to change has been formed the indivdual is now ready to take the next step into the action phase of getting treatment (Sanchez-Craig).

Individuals with the concurrent disorder of alcohoism and depression, can find themselves dealing with each issue separatley (Sanchez-Craig, 1996). For alcohol related addiction most people complain about difficulty and sleeping, waking during the night, headaches and hangovers, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, rapid heart beats, shakiness, sweating poor memory, mood changes such as feeling depressed and less socialble and no energy (Sanchez-Craig). People who have concurrent disorders often have to go to one service for mental health treatment and another place for addiction treatment (Sanchez-Craig). Sometimes the services are not connected at all. Concurrent substance use and mental health problems are often related, and they affect each other (Sanchez-Craig). So clients have the best success when both problems are addressed at the same time, in a co-ordinated way (Sanchez-Craig).

The treatment approach usually depends on the type and severity of the person’s problems. A person might receive psychosocial treatments (individual or group therapy) or biological treatments (medications), or often both. Although the overall treatment plan should consider both mental health and substance use problems, it is sometimes best to treat one problem first (Centre for Addictions and Mental Health, 2009).

Treatment for concurrent disorders includes psychosocial treatments and medication. Clients may receive one or the other, or both (Centre for Addictions and Mental Health, 2009).
 * Types of treatment**

Psychosocial treatments are an important part of treatment for concurrent disorders. They include:
 * A. Psychosocial** **treatments**
 * psychoeducation
 * psychotherapy (counselling, individual and group therapy)
 * family therapy
 * peer support (CAMH, 2009).

"Psychoeducation is education about mental health and substance use issues. People who know about their problems are more able to make informed choices. Knowledge can help clients and their families" : "While all people should receive psychoeducation when they begin treatment for concurrent disorders, as they move through recovery, they may benefit more from psychoeducation" (CAMH, 2009). "For people who have milder problems, psychoeducation alone may be the only treatment they need. Psychoeducation sessions include discussions about":
 * 1. Psychoeducation**
 * deal with their problems
 * make plans to prevent problems
 * build a plan to support recovery (CAMH, 2009)
 * what causes substance use and mental health problems
 * how the problems might be treated
 * how to self-manage the problems (if possible)
 * how to prevent future episodes(CAMH, 2009)

"Psychotherapy is sometimes called “talk therapy.” It helps people deal with their problems by looking at how they": There are various types of psychotherapy and some types are more effective under certain situations. "Psychotherapy can be either short-term or long-term" (CAMH, 2009) "Short-term therapy has a specific focus and structure" (CAMH). "The therapist is active and directs the process. This type of treatment is usually no longer than 10 to 20 sessions" (CAMH). "In long-term therapy, the therapist is generally less active, and the process is less structured" (CAMH). "The treatment usually lasts at least one year. The aim is to help the client work through deep psychological issues" (CAMH). "Successful therapy depends on a supportive, comfortable relationship with a trusted therapist. The therapist can be a":
 * 2. Psychotherapy**
 * think
 * act
 * interact with others (CAMH, 2009).
 * doctor
 * social worker
 * psychologist
 * other professional (CAM, 2009)

"Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a type of short-term psychotherapy. CBT works well for a broad range of concurrent disorders" (Centre for Addictions and Mental Health, 2009). "In CBT, people learn to look at how their beliefs or thoughts affect the way they look at themselves and the world. Some deeply held thoughts have a strong influence on our mood and behaviour"(CAMH, 2009). "For instance, if we are depressed and drinking too much and think no treatment will help, then we might not seek treatment" (CAMH, 2009). "CBT helps people identify and change such thoughts and learn new strategies to get along better in everyday life" (CAMH, 2009).
 * a. Cognitive behavioural therapy**

"Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is a type of cognitive behavioural therapy" (Cantre for Addiction and Mental Health, 2009). "It is used to treat a range of behaviour problems" (CAMH, 2009). "DBT draws on Western cognitive behaviour techniques and Eastern Zen philosophies. It teaches clients how to":
 * b. Dialectical behaviour therapy**
 * become more aware of their thoughts and actions
 * tolerate distress
 * manage their emotions
 * improve their relationships with other people (CAMH, 2009).

"Insight-oriented or psychodynamic psychotherapies tend to be longerterm and less structured" (Centre for Addictions and Mental Health, 2009). "These therapies reduce distress by helping people understand what makes them act the way they do" (CAMH, 2009)
 * c. Insight-oriented or psychodynamic psychotherapies**

"Interpersonal therapies help clients get better at communicating and interacting with others" (Centre for Addictions and Mental Health, 2009). These therapies help people: "Interpersonal group therapy focuses on the interactions among group members" (CAMH, 2009).
 * d. Interpersonal therapy**
 * look at how they interact with others
 * identify issues and problems in relationships
 * explore ways to make changes. (CAMH, 2009)

"Group therapy can help people who have concurrent disorders" (Centre for Addictions and Mental Health, 2009). Group therapy can include treatments such as: "A group setting can be a comfortable place to discuss issues such as family relationships, medication side-effects and relapses" (CAMH, 2009).
 * e. Group therapy**
 * cognitive behavioural therapy
 * interpersonal therapy
 * psychoeducation (CAMH, 2009).

"Families may also be involved in the person’s treatment" (Centre for Addictions and Mental Health, 2009). "Support from family members can help the person who has concurrent disorders" (CAMH, 2009). "Family members may also enter therapy themselves. Therapy for families can offer a range of help" (CAMH, 2009). For example: Family therapy can: "Usually therapists work with one family at a time" (CAMH, 2009). "Sometimes family therapy is offered in a group setting with other families in similar situations" (CAMH, 2009) "Group members can share feelings and experiences with other families who understand and support them" (CAMH, 2009).
 * 3. Family therapy**
 * Families can learn about substance use and mental health problems.
 * Family members can enter care as clients themselves (CAMH, 2009)
 * teach families about concurrent disorders
 * offer advice and support to family members(CAMH, 2009)

"Peer support groups can be an important part of treatment" (Centre for Addictions and Mental Health, 2009). "A peer support group is a group of people who all have concurrent disorders" (CAMH, 2009). "These people can accept and understand one another, and can share their struggles in a safe, supportive environment" (CAMH, 2009). "Group members usually develop a strong bond among themselves" (CAMH, 2009). "People who have recently been diagnosed with concurrent disorders can benefit from the experiences of others" (CAMH, 2009).
 * 4. Peer support group**


 * B. Biological** **Treatments**

"Medications may help control symptoms. The main types of medications for mental health problems are:
 * Medications used to treat mental health problems**
 * antidepressant medications
 * anti-anxiety medications
 * mood stabilizers
 * antipsychotic medications" (CAMH, 2009).