Which Would You Rather Admit To?
By jenseyedea
@jenseyedea (579)
United States
November 17, 2007 9:33pm CST
I am finishing my BA in Psychology and Criminal Justice. In one of my classes this week a question was posed....If you were in a group of people and you were an addict as well as having some sort of mental illness (like bi-polar), which would you rather admit to...and why?
I would rather not give my answer, because I don't want to influence anyone who may also want to post. But I am excited to see what is posted. If you could please explain your answer it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your participation.
4 people like this
4 responses
@princeworthy (1909)
• United States
19 Nov 07
I don't think I would have a problem admiting to either. I am a former addict and I have depression. I am not proud of the addiction but I feel it may have even be in relation to the depression. As long as mental illness is treated it should lead to less problems with addiction. I am not saying that all addiction is related to mental illness though.
1 person likes this
@jenseyedea (579)
• United States
20 Nov 07
I would say that in the experience I have had with A/D a lot, maybe 80% of the clients have been dual diagnosis...But then that raises the question...which one do you treat first..Because if you treat one will the other go away. Even though I usually work in A/D I try and look at the "WHY'S" to begin with to give me more of an idea of what is really going on.
1 person likes this
@jenseyedea (579)
• United States
18 Nov 07
I agree and feel that most people that way. Thanks for responding.
1 person likes this
@Monkeyrose (2840)
• Canada
19 Nov 07
You bascally can't cure either but you can learn to live with it.
1 person likes this
@babiixgiirl (258)
•
18 Nov 07
I think I'd rather admit to the addiction, to be honest, because I've suffered with bi-polar in the past, and I know there's a huge stigma attached to it, especially among my peers - people seem to think it's an attention thing, as opposed to a serious illness, and at least, with addictions, you can get a lot of support from group therapy, which, in my opinion, is a lot more effective than a one-to-one session. Mind you, I can't say I've ever had an addiction, so maybe I'm not the most qualified person lolz.
@jenseyedea (579)
• United States
18 Nov 07
That is a new one! Thanks for changing the perspective. I agree that with the huge diadnosis' of mental illness, people overlook being sympathetic. Blessings to you.
1 person likes this
@caz2406 (24)
•
18 Nov 07
I think i would rather admit to mental illness....their is still stigma over mental illness but more stigma with adictions...some people believe addiction is an illness some an addiction...and the medical profession still argue as to which it is...their is proof that some people have addictive personalities...and get easily addicted to things...and it can seem to run in families sometimes as well...but is debate their as to whether it is nature or nurture that causes this
Carolyn
@jenseyedea (579)
• United States
19 Nov 07
Yes currently I believe there are 8 different models relating to addiction and the causes. These have been developed pretty recently if you consider just within 50 years or so...We have come a long way, and still have a ways to go. :)
