The Purpose of Self-Help Support Groups

The purpose of self-help support groups in dual diagnosis is to:

  • Provide a comfortable environment for members to discuss dual recovery issues. 
  • Offer an environment in which members who share everyday experiences can feel that they are accepted and understood. 
  • Provide members with a dual diagnosis recovery plan.

Dual Diagnosis is one group that has found great success with using support groups to help patients with anxiety. When you are learning how to be healthy and mentally strong, it is crucial to know who you can trust in helping you reach your goals. One of the most potent ways to do this is to reach out to others who have already achieved what you hope to achieve. By joining a support group for Dual Diagnosis, you can reach out to people dealing with the same problems you do. They can give you their honest opinion, and they can show you how to deal with things. This way, you are much more likely to have worthwhile conversations than if you were to try to tackle them on your own.

Dual Recovery Anonymous

Dual Recovery Anonymous is a 12-step self-help dual diagnosis program modelled after the tenets of Alcoholics Anonymous, based on the experiences of men and women recovering from dual diagnosis disorders. By actively improving our quality of life and focusing on relapse prevention, DRA helps us recover from chemical dependency and emotional or psychiatric illness. In a community of mutual support, we learn to reduce the likelihood of relapse to addiction, symptom relief, and managing emotional and psychiatric illness. There are two requirements to become a member: 

  • An attempt to cease consuming alcohol or other intoxicating drugs.
  • One’s desire to develop a healthy coping skill for managing emotional or psychiatric illness. 

The DRA encourages its members to build strong personal support networks. Utilizing support systems of dual diagnosis such as 12 step or self-help groups, medical or social service professionals, and religious assistance may be part of such a network. DRA does not opinion treatment methods for dual diagnosis disorders or dual diagnosis recovery used by other groups. We do not offer treatment recommendations for emotional or psychiatric disorders. However, we offer our perspectives regarding ways we have applied the 12 steps in our daily lives to cope with our symptoms.

Dual Diagnosis Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share experiences, strengths, weaknesses, feelings, fears, and hopes with one another to resolve our problems and live peacefully with our difficulties. The only requirement of membership is a desire to live a drug and alcohol-free life. It makes a vast, difference to combine the theory of social model rehabilitation with the clinical philosophy of the medical model. Dual Diagnosis Anonymous (DDA) attempts to create a support network that acknowledges the significance of this blending. DDA, which uses an updated version of the 12 Steps, focuses on mental illness and psychiatric interventions and medical management effectiveness.

Twenty-eight groups are located in Illinois; 20 groups are located in other states. Fellowship of men and women work together to help those dual diagnosis patients struggling with depression, alcoholism, and drug abuse. Uses the 12-step program of AA. Group development guidelines. Contact Information: Dual Disorders Anonymous PO Box 681264Schaumburg, Illinois 60168 Voice Mail: (847) 781-1553.

Dual Diagnosis Anonymous is a straightforward application. This ease of use is founded on combining the 12 STEPS OF RECOVERY and the additional 5 STEPS OF DDA. Daily attendance at these sessions and the implementation of these basic measures provide us with the spiritual help we need for Dual Diagnosis recovery. Information on how to reach us: Dual Diagnosis Anonymous is a support group for people who have been diagnosed with both Suite 207, 320 North E. Street 92401 San Bernardino, California 909-888-9282

Many self-help support groups also attend addiction clinics or rehabs for dual diagnosis disorders, where professionals give individual and group counselling and help with practical steps for staying clean once you leave the facility. It is imperative to have professional support during the recovery process as it is more difficult to deal with issues like withdrawal when you don’t have the right information and direction. In fact, many of those who have suffered from a mental illness or addiction for many years find that they need to seek treatment for dual diagnosis as well. While there are many self-help support groups that offer help for dual diagnosis, it is also important to consult with a psychiatrist or psychologist to determine the best course of treatment. Depending on the severity of your psychiatric illness and addiction, there are treatment options that vary from individual to individual.

Everyone’s Recovery Groups (ERG)

Based in Connecticut, it incorporates all alcoholics, addicts, persons with mental illness, people with physical illness, methadone maintenance patients, dual diagnosis patients, and anyone experiencing a loss of control. Twelve Step format. Our members may have various presenting problems and may not be on methadone maintenance or Dual Diagnosis. This is how we are combating the stigma. We believe that once people hear true accounts of people who rely on medication or methadone for their recovery, they will start to see that medication is directly related to recovery and should not be considered an outside issue.

Some people find that attending support groups helps them reduce their stress levels. When you are surrounded by people going through the same struggles you are, you will likely feel less alone in your struggle. Being able to talk to others about your concerns for dual diagnosis disorders can be healing. This is especially true if the members of the group are dealing with the same issues you are. You can learn valuable lessons from others who are facing similar problems you are.

There is a wide variety of ways to gain support and strength. Support groups can provide the comfort and support you need. Many times, these groups for dual diagnosis treatment are located within your community. You can visit the group you choose in-person or online. You can also find local support groups through telephone books and the Internet. No matter where you choose to seek out help, there is a network of people who understand the difficulties you are facing.

Double Trouble in Recovery 

Double Trouble in Recovery (DTR) is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with one another to solve their common dual diagnosis problems and help others recover from their respective addictions and mental disorders. DTR is designed to meet the needs of both dual diagnosis and those suffering from a substance abuse problem and a mental illness. We discuss not only the problems associated with psychiatric medications but also the benefits associated with them. In this way, we recognize that, for many people, addiction and psychiatric disorders represent a double burden in recovery. There is no membership fee for DTR members; we support ourselves by our contributions.

How Does it Work?

We banded together to assist ourselves in recovering from our dual diagnosis disorders, addictions and mental illnesses. We share our experiences to become more frank, open-minded, and willing. Sharing allows us to recall how things were and how we got to where we are now. We live one day at a time’ and obey the DTR Twelve-Steps: Information on how to reach us: In Recovery, There Is Double Trouble courtesy of the Mental Health Empowerment Project 271 Central Avenue, Albany, NY 12209 518-434-1393.

Schizophrenia Anonymous 

Schizophrenia Anonymous is a nonprofessional self-help program.Schizophrenics Anonymous is an organization dedicated to helping individuals suffering from schizophrenia. Joanne V. founded the first Schizophrenia Anonymous group in the United States in 1985 in Michigan. In the last 12 years, this single group has grown to more than seventy groups throughout the United States and Canada. The Twelve Steps were adapted to the program. It has been adapted to meet the recovery needs of individuals experiencing schizophrenia. The Mental Health Association of Michigan is a good source of information about Schizophrenics Anonymous. Schizophrenics Anonymous c/o Mental Health Association of Michigan 15920 W. Twelve Mile Road Southfield, MI 48076 Phone: (248) 557-6777

Depressive Manic-Depressive Association (DMDA)

The Depressive Manic-Depressive Association is a nationwide organization with branches in the majority of significant cities. The meetings provide educational resources as well as self-help support. The meetings are usually held monthly or bi-monthly in mental health centers or other public facilities. 

According to a survey, members of the National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association who have bipolar disorder showed 59% of respondents had their first symptoms during childhood or adolescence. There were long gaps between the onset of symptoms, the request for dual diagnosis treatment, and the diagnosis of bipolar illness. There are 45% of respondents who frequently have recurrences of the disease. Child/adolescent-onset is associated with a positive family history, predominantly depressive symptoms at onset, and often recurrence. Frequent recurrences were associated with depressive or mixed initial symptoms and depressive episodes but not with medication non-compliance. Both child/adolescent-onset and frequent recurrence were associated with increased social morbidity, which was diminished by effective treatment. Respondents with frequent recurrences were less likely to be treated with mood stabilizers, more likely to be treated with anti-depressants or anxiolytics, and more likely to report past anxiety symptoms and diagnoses. 13% of respondents had no medical insurance, and 15% had failed to take medicine for financial reasons. 

The National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association’s mission is to educate patients, families, professionals, and the general public about the nature of depressive and manic-depressive illness as treatable medical dual diagnosis diseases; to foster self-help for patients and families; to eliminate discrimination and stigma; to improve access to care; and to advocate for research toward the elimination of these illnesses. By joining a support group for Dual Diagnosis, you can reach out to people dealing with the same problems you do. The treatment of bipolar illness could be enhanced by public health efforts to promote early dual diagnosis and treatment, ensuring adequate trials of mood stabilizers for patients with frequent recurrences; further research on bipolar disorder with prominent anxiety symptoms; and improved access to mental health care. Manic Depressive Association in the United States Suite 501, 730 N. Franklin Street 60610 Chicago, IL After 6 p.m., call (901) 382-0076. (615) 889-8936 or 890-1859 in Nashville (423) 693-7362 or 545-7863 in Knoxville (423) 698-2400 or 624-4800 in Chattanooga for dual diagnosis disorders.

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