Avoidant Personality & Dual Diagnosis

Those with personality disorders have dysfunctional ways of looking at their relationships. The avoidant personality disorder is often dual diagnosed with addictions, which can complicate treatment.

Dual Diagnosis

Dual diagnosis happens when a mental disorder occurs simultaneously with an addiction to alcohol or another substance.

Avoidant Personality Disorder

Those with avoidant personality disorder avoid relationships with others. These individuals are often afraid of pain or rejection.

Substance Abuse

Unhappiness caused by social isolation can often lead those with avoidant personality disorder to engage in substance abuse.

Complications

Those with avoidant personality disorder have a tendency to abuse substances alone. Substance abuse can be more severe when there is no one around to help the sufferer regulate his or her substance abuse. There is also a smaller chance for drug intervention.

Treatment

Treatment for avoidant personality disorder and substance abuse should be attempted simultaneously. Correcting the avoidant personality disorder can decrease the urge to abuse substances.

References

• National Institutes of Health - Dual Diagnosis
• Internet Mental Health - Avoidant Personality Disorder
• Avoidant Personality Disorder and Dual Diagnosis