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Question: If my teen experiences psychological symptoms while detoxifying from using drugs, does this mean they have a dual diagnosis?
Answer: When a teen experiences symptoms during detoxification from the physical and psychological effects of drug use, it does not necessarily mean they have an underlying mental health disorder.
Psychological symptoms can be triggered as a teen goes through the emotional and physical changes that are part of the process of detoxification. Symptoms that mimic a mental health disorder, such as feeling sad or agitated, often surface when a teen stops using drugs. At first it may be difficult to differentiate if these issues are temporary or symptomatic of a mental health disorder that has been masked by the use of drugs.
If psychological symptoms linger, or if they worsen, this does suggest the possible presence of a dual diagnosis, in which case professional evaluation is highly recommended.
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