Dual Diagnosis

According to the National Head Injury Foundation, the following thirteen facts apply to patients with Traumatic Brain Injury and Chemical Dependency Disorders:

1. It is estimated that each year over one million individuals sustain a traumatic brain injury. Brain injuries occur at a rate of one every 16 seconds in the United States.
   
   
2. 140,000 persons die annually from brain injuries. These injuries are the number one killer of persons under the age of 44. They kill more Americans under the age of 34 than all diseases combined.
   
   
3. Two-thirds of all persons sustaining brain injuries are under 30. Young men are more than twice as likely as young women to suffer brain injuries. Infants and the elderly are also at high risk of brain injury, particularly in abusive family situations.
   
   
4. Scientific advances have resulted in an increased likelihood of surviving brain trauma. Many of the survivors, however, will have severe problems affecting their ability to make decisions, earn a living, and function independently.
   
   
5. Only 20% of those with traumatic brain injury are receiving appropriate treatment at this time.
   
   
6. Approximately 60% of brain injured individuals have chemical dependency problems.
   
   
7. It is estimated that 40% of alcoholics and 23% of poly-substance abusers have sustained a traumatic brain injury.
   
   
8. Chemical dependency treatment centers have not been effective in the rehabilitation of chemically dependent individuals who have sustained a traumatic brain injury.
   
   
9. Traumatic brain injury rehabilitation centers have not been effective in rehabilitating brain injured individuals who are chemically dependent.
   
   
10. Chemically dependent individuals who have sustained brain injuries usually do not respond appropriately to traditional aftercare interventions.
    
    
11. Unless appropriate intervention is used to treat this dually diagnosed population, the chance of an individual achieving a productive, drug-free, quality lifestyle is minimal.
    
    
12. Chemically dependent individuals with traumatic brain injury require highly specialized treatment that utilizes a team of brain injury and chemical dependency counselors, recreational therapists, cognitive therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, psychologists, neuropsychologists, physical therapists, neurotraining specialists, as well as medical specialists.
    
    
13. Treatment for this dually diagnosed group requires a much longer period of time because of the many issues which are present.