Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center

What is a Dual Diagnosis?

Dual diagnosis is when someone suffers from both a mental health disorder and an alcohol or drug addiction. Addicted individuals may also be suffering from depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, schizophrenia and personality disorders without their knowledge. Over time, the lack of treatment for one can exacerbate the other.

Mental health disorders have symptoms that are unpleasant and the addict will use alcohol and drugs in an effort to self-medicate the disorder. Drug and alcohol use offer temporary relief from psychological symptoms. However, it will make the mental health issue worse in the long run. Significant distress in an occupation, relationships, finances and physical health will often be evident in those who have a dual diagnosis. The lack of stability in mood and substance abuse make it almost impossible to gain control of his or her life. This is why a dual diagnosis patient must be treated at an inpatient detox and residential rehab for both the mental health issue and addiction.

In order to accurately diagnose and help a dual diagnosis patient, substance abuse must be eliminated for a period of time. This allows true psychological symptoms to surface without being tainted by drugs and alcohol. Detoxification in such situations should be monitored and take place within a licensed dual diagnosis facility, enabling doctors, nurses and therapists to carefully monitor and assist with physical withdrawal and psychiatric symptoms. Continuing with residential treatment upon completion of inpatient detox will give the addict time to stabilize mood and learn how to manage symptoms produced by the mental health disorder without using drugs and alcohol. 

Dual Diagnosis Inpatient Detoxification

Our hospital has a state-of-the-art detoxification facility and Lakeview Health Systems’ staff is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We are emphatic about providing the best possible care for all patients. Therefore, we closely monitor the progress of patients detoxing in our drug and alcohol medical facility. Physical and psychological assessments are made daily and each member of our multidisciplinary team participates in the treatment plan for the addict. Lakeview Health Systems' doctors will make every attempt to use medications for mental health symptoms that will not be addictive. When the dual diagnosis patient is properly medicated for mental health symptoms, the risk of relapse will decrease.

It is suggested that those with a dual diagnosis attend inpatient medical detox and residential drug rehab to stabilize their mental health. An outpatient program will increase risk of relapse during the stabilization process. Doctors in an inpatient detox will be able to alleviate mental health symptoms and help decrease substance abuse cravings, giving the patient a chance to gain control over the mental health disorder and behaviors related to substance abuse.

Dual Diagnosis Residential Treatment Center

We are one of the few true dual diagnosis treatment centers in the nation.

Lakeview Health Systems’ multidisciplinary treatment team offer programs that are customized to fit individual patient physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

Our Dual Diagnosis Program Offers:

• Medication management
• Mood stabilization and continued monitoring by doctors
• Individual counseling using specific therapy approaches for each disorder
• Specialized dual diagnosis discussion groups
• Relapse prevention techniques for addiction
• Education on coping skills for managing mental health disorder
• Resolution of underlying issues contributing to dual diagnosis
• Counseling with family or significant others to increase awareness about dual diagnosis
   

Doctors, therapists and nurses will work with the patient, from initial admission to discharge, on an aftercare plan to reduce the risk of re-hospitalizations, additional legal and financial problems, homelessness, suicide, violence, sexual and physical victimization, incarceration or the development or worsening of serious illness.

It is important for loved ones and dual diagnosis patients to understand that even though you feel better and symptoms have decreased, you cannot stop taking your mental health medication. This is a contributing factor for dual diagnosis patients who relapse on substance abuse. If you feel like you want to stop your medication, make sure to consult your psychiatrist first.