Dr. Tonmoy Sharma believes that addiction problems have an underlying mental condition, and it’s only proper that both cases are treated simultaneously. That is why Dr. Tonmoy Sharma, author, and mental health specialist, is pushing for dual diagnosis as the best way to deal with the alarming rise of substance abuse in the United States.
The U.S. government reported that over 20 million American adults were identified as substance users in 2014, and nearly eight million confirmed cases were labeled as co-occurring situations. These patients, per the same data supplied by the government, were known to struggle with drug addiction and mental disorders at the same time.
The report somehow supported the assertion made by Dr. Sharma that “addiction doesn’t exist in a vacuum.” The government figures serve as a strong argument that the dual diagnosis approach is necessary to solve America’s worsening drug addiction problem, stressed the Sovereign chief.
Why Dual Diagnosis Works
According to mental health specialist Dr. Tonmoy Sharma, dual diagnosis will put a stop to the “revolving door” scenario that characterizes the existing treatment programs designed for substance abuse. The traditional process frequently led to relapses, and addiction patients are then sent back to treatment facilities.
Such a vicious cycle will be a thing of the past if dual diagnosis comes to wide use. To cite an example that would support his position, Dr. Sharma pointed to the treatment process used to treat alcohol abuse. The program mandates patients to abstain from alcohol, but at the end of the process, they found themselves struggling with depression.
It seemed apparent that the program failed, but it’s not the fault of the patient. The treatment missed one important thing, and Dr. Tonmoy Sharma, author, and mental health specialist, said the program overlooked treating depression. So, it came as no surprise that the drinking problem returned because the root cause was not addressed.
It is essential then that addiction treatment includes a deeper understanding of co-occurring mental issues, said Dr. Sharma.
“To treat a patient effectively, a good addiction specialist must possess the expertise necessary to address both the addiction itself, as well as the mental illness that’s being exacerbated by the addiction. Much of the time, treating the addiction alone just isn’t enough,” he continued.
How Sovereign Health Can Help
In this respect, Sovereign Health is ready to do the work as the treatment system boasts the capability to handle mental health conditions and substance abuse. The company runs nine behavioral treatment facilities that operate in five states across America. Strict state regulations cleared these facilities to handle patients, and they benefit from mental health specialist Dr. Tonmoy Sharma’s expertise that was widely acknowledged in the United States, Europe, and Southeast Asia.
Per Dr. Sharma, Sovereign Health is not stopping on its quest to better understand the human brain. And when the answers start coming in, the healthcare provider can only promise the use of better treatment processes in the years to come.
