What
is Dual Diagnosis
Dual diagnosis is a term that refers to the common co-occurrence
of substance dependence and mental health disorders. Both need to be
addressed and treated to achieve the best result.
The Recovery Road Medical Center Program for dual diagnosis offers
a well structured treatment plan to help patients at a stressful point
in their life when they are struggling with both chemical dependency
and mental health disorders. It is designed for patients who have an
acute exacerbation of their symptoms of either substance dependence
and/or mental health disorder, but yet do not require inpatient hospitalization
and they can contract for safety in regards to thoughts of harming
their self or others. The patient has to be organized enough to benefit
from the treatment program and not to be disruptive to other patients.
Our physicians are highly qualified and experienced in prescribing
medications that can help with stopping the cravings and relieving
withdrawal symptoms for different substances. Our physicians can also
provide hospital based detoxification for those patients in need of
this level of care prior to entering into an intensive outpatient program.
Recovery road medical center provides expert assessment for both
these conditions and individualized treatment which can include appropriate
medication for both craving and the mental health disorder in conjunction
with intensive daily therapy. Recovery Road offers family members opportunities
through education and group therapy to work together in gaining knowledge
about their loved one’s illness and the power to change its
self destructive course.
Chemical Dependency:
Chemical Dependency is a term that refers
to a disease of the nervous system which is manifested by a loss of
control over the use of a substance resulting in problems from its
use and may be accompanied by withdrawal symptoms when the substance
is discontinued. The person may experience craving for the substance
and continue to use the substance despite adverse consequences. Each
substance can carry the risk for misuse, abuse or dependence.
The use of the drug may also result
in both physical and psychological injury or illness. These can include
liver damage, heart problems, infections such as AIDs, legal problems,
divorce, alienation from children, financial loss, depression, panic
attacks, hospitalization, memory loss(both acute blackouts and actual
brain injury that may be permanent) and multiple injuries . Patients
may develop physical, mental and emotion pain.
Mental Health Disorders:
Mood
Disorder: Major Depression, Cyclothymia, Dysthymia, Bipolar
Spectrum Disorders.
Anxiety
Disorder: Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder, Panic Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
Attention Deficit
Disorder: With or without hyperactivity.
Eating
Disorders: Anorexia and Bulimia.
SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDERS
- Alcohol Dependence.
- Sedative Hypnotic Dependence.
- Opiate Dependence.
- Stimulant Dependence.
- Marijuana Dependence.
All patients receive weekly random urine drug testing.
THE OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM INCLUDE:
- Abstinence from addictive chemicals unless the
patient is on approved opiate maintenance(such as Suboxone or methadone).
- Development of skills such as assertive communication,
relaxation training, drink refusal training, relapse prevention skills.
- Improvement in depression, anxiety and anger.
- When stressed the ability to take time out, share
and ask for help.
- Reduction in cognitive distortions which increase
dysfunction and lead to relapse.
- Initiation of long term participation in
12 step programs.
TOPICS FOR MENTAL HEALTH
- Daily thought recording
- The Three Imperatives(Time Out, Sharing,Asking
for Help)
- Practicing Reframing of Thoughts
- 10 cognitive errors
- Challenging the negative thought
- Core belief and the Child hood contribution to
the core belief
- Relaxation Techniques and Meditation
- Medication Adherence and Honesty with Psychiatrist
- Self Assessment for Self Esteem
- Working with feelings of stress
- Goal Setting and Working in Small Steps for change
- Projections and Skewed Thinking
- Depression, Anxiety and Anger
- Family Groups
TOPICS FOR CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY
- Cycle of change
- Values: what they value in their life
- (Pros and Cons) Benefits of Sobriety and negative
- Consequences of using
- Physical Addiction and Disease Concept
- Problem solving
- Identifying triggers and their management(HALT,
anger,
- anxiety, depression)
- Managing stress
- Managing criticism
- Managing cravings and urges
- Effective refusals
- AA and the 12 steps
- Recommitting after a slip
- Rewarding my success
- New ways to enjoy life
- Confidence and temptations
- Proper boundaries in relationship
- Support and honesty in relationship
- Shame and Stigma of Addiction and Mood Disorder
- The Old Addiction Brain
- Dealing with the inner critic
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Skills and Practice are integrated into
each educational and processing group.
Undiagnosed or untreated disorders may form an obstacle in your recovery.
To learn more about this talk with the professionals at Recovery Road.
DUAL DIAGNOSIS 12 STEP PROGRAM:
DDA (Dual Diagnosis Anonymous) is a 12
step program which has come about to assist those with addiction and
another mental health disorder. For more information check: http://www.ddaworldwide.org
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