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addicted. The reverse of this is also true. Furthermore, it is estimated that 8.9 million people are impacted by dual diagnosis each year, yet only 7.4 percent receive appropriate treatment. One notable example of dual diagnosis is the sad and tragic case of Robin Williams. After his death, it was reported that the Oscar-winning actor suffered from severe depression and addiction, along with Parkinson's disease. Though it was confirmed that he was not using substances at the time of his death, we do know that he suffered from an addiction to both alcohol and cocaine, for which he spent time in treatment. With a dual diagnosis, both the addiction and mental health disorder feed off of each other, sometimes resulting in a tragic outcome. To avoid these outcomes, dual diagnosis patients require specialized treatment, in which both the addiction and the mental illness are treated. This may include inpatient psychiatric hospitalizations, partial hospital programs and outpatient therapy. Treatment must address the complexities of how the underlying mental illness contributes to the substance use disorder, and conversely, how drugs have impacted brain functioning and behavior. Treatment may include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which consists of a defined number of visits, during which the patient will unlearn preconceived notions about his/her life and the way that he/she has made life choices and decisions. It is constructed around the theory that we make our decisions to act in certain ways based upon our perceptions of the world around us. For instance, many patients may believe that they are defective or unworthy, and thus may act in ways that are self- destructive or unhealthy. This approach helps patients to adopt a more active role in their treatment and teaches them how to ask themselves questions before acting on self-destructive impulses. CBT has proven to have favorable treatment outcomes that help prevent relapse with many dual diagnosis patients. The use of medication can also be a useful tool in the treatment of patients with a dual diagnosis. Depending on the symptoms, there are a variety of medications that can assist with recovery from both mental illness and substance use disorders. Group psychotherapy to address issues related to addiction and mental illness is a powerful treatment modality for these patients. Less formal support groups and 12-step programs can also provide much needed assistance for those struggling with a dual diagnosis. These groups provide safe places where individuals can come together to share their experiences in a way that helps reduce isolation, stigma and loneliness. Many patients say that they could not have achieved recovery without these groups. Finally, one cannot overlook the importance of an individual's support systems. Positive relationships with family and friends help patients know that they are loved, providing them with the crucial support needed throughout the recovery process. The bottom line is that treatment is available and recovery is possible for patients who are struggling with a dual diagnosis. The most important key to quality care is to have a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation that will provide the road map for the most effective and appropriate treatment plan. Only then can we truly help those individuals suffering from both mental illness and addiction to begin their journey toward lasting recovery. 31 TheSouthShoreMagazine.com P R E V E N T I O N | I N T E RV E N T I O N T R E AT M E N T | R E C OV E RY Richard Curcuru, CEO of Gosnold