Dual Diagnosis Isn’t Just a Catchphrase
Far too many drug and alcohol treatment facilities don’t understand that Substance Use Disorder (SUD) rarely exists in isolation. In fact, the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more than one-third of American adults with a mental disorder simultaneously struggle with substance use disorder.
One of SBMHC’s key differentiators is right in our name. First and foremost, we are a mental health center, which means we treat many mental health disorders, not just addiction. No one disorder is less important than another. Our attention to detail and focus on mental health are why we can provide more accurate and thoughtful dual diagnosis care.
The Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center and Through the Archway provide a renowned, powerful spiritual immersion program developed by Peter and Marion Marinelli. The curriculum ensures that you receive a comprehensive and engaging introduction to the spiritual principles of 12-step recovery. These powerful ideas have saved countless lives and transformed them for the better.
Incorporating Through the Archway into our treatment program was a natural fit. It is the perfect spiritual recovery complement to our robust clinical psychiatric care, resulting in a powerful wellness program that leaves no stone unturned.
The Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center Difference
This is just part of what puts Sylvia Brafman leagues ahead of a standard alcohol and drug rehab. We are a comprehensive mental health treatment program, yet we are equipped to tackle the addiction cycle. For us, dual diagnosis treatment is an integral and fundamental part of our program, not just a bullet point or a box to check.
Dual diagnosis treatment appropriately done, in our opinion, includes thorough diagnosis early on by a qualified and skilled clinician. But that’s just the beginning. It’s not enough to identify your disorder and apply a label. You will be carefully and continually assessed throughout your treatment at SBMHC. We monitor your symptoms and response to different forms of treatment. We’re also looking for signs of any tertiary conditions or aspects of the original diagnosis that weren’t apparent at first glance.
Proper Dual Diagnosis Care Helps Prevent Relapse
When a co-occurring disorder is not identified and treated effectively, you are left vulnerable to relapse. You may receive excellent care for your substance use disorder, but when symptoms of an unresolved secondary disorder return, both issues may persist. Not only does excellent dual diagnosis care improve quality of life, but it also markedly improves outcomes and the odds of maintaining sobriety.
For example, someone with PTSD might turn to alcohol or abusing benzodiazepines to quell anxiety or battle insomnia. Someone with ADHD may abuse their prescription stimulants in an effort to maintain focus and energy. There are many other examples to support the fact that 9.2 million adults in the United States have a co-occurring disorder requiring personalized dual diagnosis treatment.
