Dual Diagnosis: Double the Challenge - Episode 29 Artwork

Schizophrenia: Three Moms in the Trenches

Schizophrenia in the Family. How do we cope? How can we help? We each have adult sons with schizophrenia and have written acclaimed books about it. We say it like it is, to help families, practitioners and those with SMI (serious mental illness) feel less alone...and learn. Randye Kaye, Mindy Greiling, Miriam Feldman...and guests.

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Schizophrenia: Three Moms in the Trenches

Dual Diagnosis: Double the Challenge - Episode 29

November 13, 2021 • Randye Kaye • Season 2 • Episode 4

Send a Text to the Moms - please include your contact info if you want a response. thanks!

Getting personal on this episode about the effects of addiction (drugs or alcohol) on the family - and the double challenge when it co-occurs with SMI (Serios Mental Illness) - in our sons’ cases: schizophrenia.

Are we ever really out of the woods? Are our loved ones?

What can we do? What must we let go of?

The 3 moms get personal here. Solutions? We wish we had some - but we do share ideas of actions and attitude.

Maybe you’ll hear your story inside of ours. You are not alone.

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What is dual diagnosis? (Co-occuring disorder)

What works? What doesn’t? -

“Harm reduction” treatment?
12-step programs?

Why is it so hard?

Similar symptoms - delayed SMI diagnosisGrief
Grief, Lost Trust, lost time
Relapse disappointment
Stronger drugs now

What can the family do?

“Trust, but verify” - blood tests, Urine tests
Set your boundaries/rewards/consequences
Do what works - even if your break the rules you thought you knew
Balance of letting go/stepping in
Support a healthier community and purposeful activity for our loved ones
Get support or help for yourself (the family) - AlAnon? Therapy?
“Know that you’re dealing with something unknowable, and do the best you can” (Mimi)
Look for Integrated Care for your loved one - treats both diagnoses together
Keep watching carefully
Be aware (and providers be aware) that what looks like “just substance abuse” may indeed be early symptoms of SMI - alert the family