According to the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, more than 8.9 million people in the United States suffer from co-occurring disorders (COD) or dual diagnoses. An individual with a dual diagnosis is one who has both a mental disorder and a substance use disorder. Roughly 7 percent of these individuals receive treatment for both illnesses, and over half never receive treatment at all. Because everyone responds differently, treatment should be tailored to fit each individual. For this reason, you need to find a center that will address your goals and employ treatment strategies that are acceptable to you. To help ensure your success, research several dual diagnosis treatment centers before you make a decision. This guide describes five of the best centers in the US and what sets them apart from others.
1. Reflections Rehab
One of the best dual diagnosis treatment centers in Northern California is Reflections, located approximately thirty minutes north of San Francisco in Novato. It is a privately owned executive facility specializing in dual diagnosis and relapse prevention. Reflections believes that many individuals are misdiagnosed with a dual diagnosis because of the actual symptoms of addiction. As a result, psychological testing is available to help determine a proper diagnosis. As part of the treatment process, you first undergo detoxification to remove all substances that are being abused from the body. Each patient is assigned a primary therapist with three individual therapy sessions each week. Therapy at Reflections includes alcohol and drug abuse counseling to help monitor your progress toward recovery. The center features:
- Treatment programs that run 30, 60, or 90 days
- Therapeutic, experiential, recreational, and nutritional regimens
- A choice of private or semi-private rooms.
- Varied meal choices that include international cuisine
- Outdoor amenities, including local beaches, golf courses, and hiking trails
2. Newport Academy
Focused on treating teens and young adults with mental health and/or substance abuse disorders, Newport Academy operates both residential and outpatient centers in numerous locations throughout the US. Their approach incorporates clinical, experiential, and academic modalities. Some of the clinical approaches available are individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). Experiential therapeutic approaches may include (but are not limited to) the following: fitness activity, music, visual art, experiential learning, and community service.
The four types of programs operated by Newport Academy are: 1) residential treatment programs (gender-specific and age-specific); 2) outpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment; 3) therapeutic day schools (available to teen clients in specific residential or outpatient programs); and 4) continuing care (ongoing, comprehensive support system after participation in a program to help the clients and their families continue their recovery journey that can include texts, videoconferencing sessions and/or home visits). The day schools integrate an accredited, individually-tailored academic track, with dedicated therapeutic and experiential curriculum.
3. Sierra Tucson
With more than 30 years of experience in treating addiction, depression, eating disorders, and mental illness, Sierra Tucson has helped more than 27,000 individuals overcome addictions and comorbidity. Located in Tucson, Arizona (in the Santa Catalina Mountains), the facility offers a peaceful stay in an ideal environment. The center is licensed as both a specialty hospital and a behavioral health treatment center, allowing the trained staff to treat severe addictions and develop individualized plans for each person. The facilities at Sierra Tucson offer:
- Equine therapy
- A challenge course
- Climbing walls
- A comprehensive fitness center
- Walking trails
- A labyrinth
Most of the alternative treatments focus on helping patients to better understand the cause and effect between their individual choices and the environments around them. This type of adventure therapy is completely voluntary, but patients are encouraged to participate as the programs promote excellent health and aid in keeping individuals focused on recovery and relapse prevention. Each patient also receives both individual and group therapy.
4. Beachway Therapy Center
Voted one of the top dual diagnosis treatment centers in Florida by the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers, Beachway Therapy Center is located in Del Ray, Florida, just minutes from Miami and Fort Lauderdale. An excellent place to recover from binary disorders and co-occurring severe mental illness, Beachway is a private treatment facility that takes a holistic approach to addiction treatment for both men and women. The center helps you focus on learning how to regain the skills you need to successfully establish long-term recovery. The facility houses 24 individuals, one of which will become your roommate for the duration of your treatment. You will also be assigned a personal therapist and be expected to participate in group sessions. Beachway believes in treatment for the mind, body, and soul, so it offers choices that include:
- Art and music therapy
- Hypnotherapy
- Equine therapy
- Faith-based treatment options
If you choose treatment at Beachway Therapy Center, you must also commit to aftercare, which is helpful in treating co-occurring disorders.
5. Michael’s House
Michael’s House is a nationally recognized treatment facility located in the San Jacinto Mountains in Palm Springs, California. The center offers integrated treatment for drug and alcohol addiction and mental illnesses, including anxiety, depression, personality disorders, and trauma. The facility treats individuals over the age of 18, and both inpatient and outpatient programs are available. The founders of Michael’s House constantly strive for excellence and continuously seek new and innovative ways to approach treatment. Michael’s House works on the premise that no one-size-fits-all approach is effective. Instead, the treatment center offers separate programs for men and women. You can also take advantage of a stabilization program, which will help you reintegrate into society. Ongoing programs include:
- Individual psychotherapy sessions
- Group therapy
- Behavioral therapy
- Experiential groups
- Art therapy
- Dual diagnosis groups
- Medication groups
- Relapse prevention
- Trauma therapy
- Twelve-step meetings
- Codependency groups
- Adventure groups
6. La Paloma
Located near midtown Memphis, Tennessee, La Paloma is a top-rated medically supervised detox center. La Paloma specializes in drug and alcohol addiction with co-occurring disorders. The programs available include treatment based on the twelve-step principles, daily group and individual therapy sessions, and life skills assistance. In addition, those who seek help are offered medications to help control cravings and reduce withdrawal symptoms, screened for mental health conditions, provided with education about alcohol and drug addiction, and given help with developing relapse prevention programs. The facility includes:
- A fully staffed detox unit
- Separate living quarters for men and women
- A basketball court
- On-site fitness facilities
Patients can enjoy delicious and nutritious foods, meditation and quiet time, and daily recreational opportunities. The fully licensed and highly experienced staff at La Paloma strives to provide you with the best experience possible. The facility is located within walking distance of the historic downtown city center, so families can easily spend time together during their loved ones’ treatment and recovery.
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