Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers Georgia

Buckhead Behavioral Health is a premier dual diagnosis treatment center in Georgia that offers individualized and integrated plans to help treat dual diagnosis disorders. Since addiction is considered both a complex brain disorder and a mental illness, we believe that dual diagnosis should be the standard in addiction treatment, and not the exception.

Many people diagnosed with a substance use disorder also have a co-occurring mental health or behavioral disorder. This is known as a dual diagnosis. Moreover, people with a dual diagnosis require an integrated treatment plan addressing both disorders as interconnected issues. By integrating treatment for both substance abuse and mental health, people receive the help they need to recover in both areas. Our dual diagnosis treatment centers in Georgia provide the specialized care needed to help people recover from addiction and manage their mental health concurrently. If you or a loved one are struggling, reach out to us now at (470) 460-6789 or verify your insurance.

What is Dual Diagnosis?

The term dual diagnosis means the occurrence of both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder in one person. Dual diagnosis is also known as co-occurring disorders. The individual can have one or more diagnosable mental illnesses along with an addiction to drugs and/or alcohol. At Buckhead Behavioral Health, our dual diagnosis treatment centers in Georgia can assess a person to see if they are dealing with this challenging condition and work to treat each client that struggles with this.

In many cases, the two illnesses going on contribute to each other. For example, someone might use drugs or alcohol to self-medicate symptoms of their mental illness. These symptoms can include ones such as anxiety, depression, or flashbacks related to a traumatic event. Doing so might seem like a quick fix initially but can end up turning into an addiction. On the other hand, someone who abuses drugs or alcohol may end up creating symptoms of poor mental health or increasing the symptoms they experience with conditions they already suffer.

What to Expect at Our Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Georgia

When someone comes to our dual diagnosis treatment centers in Georgia, we begin by diving into an initial evaluation to determine the treatment program that is right for each individual. This includes obtaining an accurate diagnosis of mental health disorders and looking at which medications may work best for treating them. We also determine which of our types of treatment programs will be the best fit for the person. Our programs include several vital outpatient choices:

Outpatient Detox

Outpatient Detox in Atlanta involves the process of ridding the body of harmful substances while safely going through withdrawal. Unlike inpatient detox where individuals stay at a facility, outpatient detox allows individuals to live at home while maintaining their daily routines to an extent while being medically supervised by a provider.

While outpatient detox is not appropriate for everyone, outpatient detox is provided on a case-by-case basis depending on the substances used.

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

Partial Hospitalization Programming (PHP) also known as day treatment is the highest form of outpatient treatment programming. During Partial Hospitalization, clients attend treatment between six and eight hours a day, for six days a week while receiving various forms of therapy, supportive services, and case management.

Partial Hospitalization Programming allows individuals to live either at home or a sober living environment when the treatment day is over. In addition, PHP gives individuals the flexibility to continue partaking in daily obligations as long as it doesn’t interfere with the clinical treatment day. The goal of PHP is to help individuals understand their symptoms, uncover root-cause traumas, and improve daily functioning without the use of substances.

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

Our Intensive Outpatient Programming in Atlanta (IOP) is a step-down level of care from our PHP Program. During IOP, clients either live from home or a structured sober living home and commute to the facility for three hours per day, five days per week.

During this time, individuals receive different types of therapy, supportive services, and case management. Intensive Outpatient Programming provides a flexible option for those who need to maintain daily commitments while still addressing their dual diagnosis disorder.  IOP aims to stabilize clients, manage symptoms, and improve their functioning.

Admission into our IOP program is determined on a case-by-case basis dependent on the individuals level of clinical necessity.

Outpatient Rehab

Outpatient rehab is the lowest level of care that we offer. Our outpatient rehab program helps individual maintain their recovery while allowing them to live at home or in a supportive environment. Outpatient programming takes place one day per week with an individual therapy session and a group therapy session. At Buckhead Behavioral Health, we do not admit directly into outpatient programming, but utilize it as a step-down program for individuals who are already in our PHP or IOP program.

Common Dual Diagnosis Disorders:

A 2018 study done by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health showed that 9.2 million adults aged 18 or older experienced dual diagnosis. Additionally, The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) estimates that 60% of adolescents in drug treatment programs have a dual diagnosis. Because of the prevalence of this condition, there is a great need for dual diagnosis treatment centers in Georgia.

Common mental health disorders that fall under the heading of dual diagnosis include:

ADHD

If someone has ADHD, they typically take a prescription medication to help manage their condition. These stimulant drugs can lead to addiction.

Bipolar Disorder

About half of bipolar disorder patients also suffer from addiction. The manic highs, depressive lows, and mood shifts that occur with this mental illness can lead people to self-medicate with substances in order to reduce the disorder’s effects.

Borderline Personality Disorder

The National Library of Health reports that approximately 78% of adults with a borderline personality disorder also develop a substance-related disorder or addiction.

Depression

Depression strikes millions of people. Sadly, many end up abusing drugs or alcohol to try to control this mood disorder, only to end up making their symptoms worse.

Anxiety Disorder

While medications used to treat anxiety can be helpful for many, too often they end up as part of a substance use disorder. Similar to depression, people who use drugs or alcohol to soothe anxiety symptoms can end up becoming addicted to these substances.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder involves obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors that a person cannot control. This can lead to increased anxiety and depression, as well as an addiction to drugs or alcohol to try to control OCD symptoms.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

The U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs reports that more than two out of ten veterans who have PTSD also deal with a substance use disorder. As well, almost one out of three veterans who receive treatment for addiction also has PTSD.

Schizophrenia

Those suffering from schizophrenia may experience a multitude of symptoms, including delusional thinking and hallucinations. They may turn to drugs or alcohol in an attempt to feel better and end up compounding their problem by becoming addicted.

How Common Are Dual Diagnosis Disorders?

Dual diagnosis disorders are extremely common. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 45% of people in the US live with a dual diagnosis. Those diagnosed with a mental health disorder are roughly twice as likely to have a substance use disorder as the general population.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) estimates that 60% of adolescents in drug treatment programs have a co-occurring mental illness. This is due in part to their stage of brain development.

Causes of Dual Diagnosis Disorders

Several risk factors contribute to the development of a dual diagnosis disorder including:

1. Genetic Factors: One of the major risk factors for dual diagnosis disorders is a genetic predisposition. Research has shown that genetic factors may influence the development of both mental health disorders and substance use disorders. If a person has a family history of either or both of these types of disorders, their risk of a dual diagnosis disorder much higher.
2. Environmental Factors: Stress, trauma, or exposure to substance use can also contribute to the development of dual diagnosis disorders. High-stress environments or traumatic experiences, especially during childhood, can lead to mental health disorders and encourage substance use as a coping mechanism. Early exposure to substance use also increases the likelihood of developing a substance use disorder.
3. Brain Development and Function: Some mental health disorders may be linked to anomalies in brain development or function. Additionally, substance use can alter brain function and structure, which can increase vulnerability to mental health disorders.
4. Psychological Factors: Certain psychological factors like low self-esteem, a tendency towards impulsivity, poor stress management, or difficulties in emotional regulation can predispose individuals to both mental health and substance use disorders. These conditions can both fuel and result from substance misuse.

Goals of Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Georgia

Every treatment plan should have goals so the individual can understand the ways in which they want to change their lives and be able to chart their progress. The clinicians working with each person can help establish goals and explain how they all fit together as part of an overall treatment plan.

Goals for medication include finding the right one and the correct dosage. Medications can help treat mental health disorders, as well as help with things like withdrawal symptoms that occur when someone stops using drugs and alcohol.

With therapy, multiple goals can be met. Individual and group therapy allow people to talk openly about their experiences, feelings, fears, and hopes for the future. For many, this is a first-time event and frees them up to make great strides in recovery from dual diagnosis. Other goals to work towards include understanding what a person’s triggers are and how to use healthy coping skills to combat them. They can also recognize when symptoms of mental illness are present and deal with them in an appropriate manner.

Holistic rehab allows people to learn alternative ways to care for themselves. Another goal involves continuing certain holistic treatment methods, such as yoga, meditation, and good nutrition, long after treatment ends.

What Makes Our Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers in Georgia Stand Apart?

Our dual diagnosis treatment center in Georgia stands apart due to a comprehensive, flexible, and personalized approach to client care. Here is what makes Buckhead Behavioral Health truly unique:

1. Comprehensive Psychiatric Care: Our psychiatric team, led by our experienced Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, provides evidence-based mental health care. This team offers comprehensive diagnosis, psychiatry, and medication management, ensuring that every client gets the support they need to navigate their mental health challenges effectively.
2. Flexible Levels of Care: We understand that not everyone’s recovery journey looks the same. That’s why we offer a variety of treatment levels and programs, ranging from intensive inpatient care to outpatient rehab services. This allows us to provide the appropriate level of care at the right time, maximizing the chances for successful recovery.
3. Trauma-Informed Treatment: Trauma can significantly impact mental health and substance use disorders. We recognize this and provide trauma-informed care to ensure all treatment interventions are sensitive to the client’s past experiences. This approach helps clients heal from past traumas and aids in their recovery journey.
4. Highly Individualized Care: We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Each client who walks through our doors is unique, and their treatment should reflect that. We take the time to get to know our clients, understand their specific needs, and tailor our programs to those needs. This customization can enhance the treatment’s effectiveness and increase the likelihood of sustained recovery.
5. Client-Centric Approach: Rather than making clients fit into our pre-existing programs, we adjust our programs to suit each client. This approach not only respects individuality but also helps foster a sense of ownership and engagement in one’s treatment, making recovery more meaningful and sustainable.

Services Offered at Buckhead Behavioral Health

One of the biggest advantages of attending our dual diagnosis treatment centers in Georgia involves the many treatment options we provide. Our services include:

• Medication-Assisted Treatment
• Trauma Therapy
• Holistic Rehab
• Family Therapy
• Brainspotting Therapy
• Neurofeedback Therapy

When we meet with people who come to us for help, we discuss their options for services and which ones will help them meet their treatment goals.