| Dual diagnosis centers are treatment programs, wherein patients who suffer from substance abuse, as well as psychiatric issues, which often are associated with chemical addiction, are treated.
There are very few legitimate dual diagnosis centers in the U.S. (I.e. centers who have the treatment team, treatment curriculum, treatment services, and environment to treat dual diagnosis).
Dual Diagnosis Centers - Treatment Team
The treatment team must necessarily be comprised of the most highly trained and experienced dual diagnosis treatment professionals, including but not limited to a directing psychiatrist (MD), a licensed psychologist (PsyD), a clinical team of experienced treatment providers with Masters and PhD level education, as well as complimentary therapy treatment providers, which may include acupuncturists, dietitians, spiritual therapists, masseuses, and others.
Diagnosis and Assessment in Dual Diagnosis Centers
Upon admission to a dual diagnosis center, typically patients undergo a battery of assessments and evaluations, initially, including a medical history and physical, a psychiatric evaluation by the directing psychiatrist, and a psych-social evaluation by a psychologist and/or therapist. The results of these evaluations typically determine the course of treatment, including detoxification, if necessary, medication management, and subsequent primary care treatment.
Dual Diagnosis Center - Primary Care Treatment
Well staffed dual diagnosis treatment programs typically provide a minimum of three to four individual therapy sessions every week to their patients. These sessions are vital to help uncover the patient’s underlying, unresolved mental health issues, which typically drive the addictive behavior.
Additionally, patients typically participate in daily small group therapy sessions, in addition to the individual treatment sessions. These group sessions are also critical in a dual diagnosis programs to further the patient’s therapy.
In addition to the individual and small-group therapy commonly provided, quality centers provide ancillary service providers including a registered dietitian, who assesses each patient’s nutritional status, which is often deficient in substance abusers. The dietitian and continues to monitor the client’s eating habits via follow-up sessions throughout the treatment period, to insure that the patient practices proper nutritional habits while at the center.
Additional adjunctive dual diagnosis treatment providers, including a massage therapist, acupuncturist and activities therapist, also aid in the healing process of clients dual issues.
Through these and many other therapeutic modalities, dual diagnosis centers provide the treatment to aid their patients in healing and recovering.
For more information on Dual Diagnosis Center visit Miramar Rehab Center |
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