Chicken or egg: A dual diagnosis narrative

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: Dual diagnosis is a term used to describe persons who have a co-occurring mental health and substance misuse disorders. It is the cause of significant economic burden to health care, justice and educational systems. It is well reported that to date dual diagnosis is under-diagnosed and poorly treated within the confines of mental health services WHAT THE PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: It demonstrates that the need for service reform where all services are equipped with the necessary tools required to adequately support a person with dual diagnosis. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR MENTAL HEALTH NURSING?: The narrative provides a real-life, candid description of how trauma in early childhood can cause significant challenges when one becomes older. The narrative identifies the dangers of not diagnosing a dual diagnosis early, resulting in only treating half the presenting issues. This narrative also offers hope to individuals in current distress, as well as for those supporting such individuals, as it clearly demonstrates that with the right supports and encouragement, recovery is possible. ABSTRACT: Introduction Dual diagnosis describes when a person has two co-occurring disorders. It is often difficult to diagnose and this can lead to prolonged suffering on behalf of the individual. Aim To provide a lived experience narrative of the early recovery journey of a person with a dual diagnosis. Method This aim was achieved through the use of a narrative based methodology. Results The journey of life leading to a dual diagnosis and beyond is described under the following headings: Formative Years, Substance Misuse, When Life gives you Lemons, They Say Nothing lasts Forever, From the Ashes, Early Recovery and Luck or Fate? DISCUSSION: The narrative presented describes a first hand experience of the struggles leading to a dual diagnosis and how receiving the diagnosis has supported the recovery journey of the first author.