The term dual diagnosis treatment applies to an alcoholic/addict, who, in addition to being addicted to alcohol or other drugs, suffers from another psychiatric illness. It is common for individuals in treatment for substance dependence to also have co-morbid psychiatric disorders including major depression, bipolar disorder, anti-social personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, phobias and attention deficit disorder.

The problem arises because most treatment centers do not actually specialize in dual diagnosis treatment so they have a difficult time in recognizing and identifying a dual diagnosis patient. Even if they did correctly recognize that a patient suffers from dual diagnosis symptoms their treatment center would not be correctly set up and qualified to properly treat dual diagnosis. Most treatment centers simply do not possess the cutting edge research and development that is necessary or have the proper specialized staff to successfully treat anyone who is in need of dual diagnosis treatment.
Seaside Palm Beach Executive Alcohol and Drug Rehab is actually one of the few treatment centers in the US to specialize in dual diagnosis treatment. We strive to treat not only our patient’s addiction but also our patient’s cause for addiction. Unknown to most people is the fact that most alcoholics and addicts who seek addiction treatment in drug treatment centers actually meet the criteria for a psychiatric disorder in addition to alcohol or other drug dependence and should be treated for dual diagnosis.

Psychiatric treatment for a co-morbid psychiatric disorder is provided in addition to the standard treatment for substance dependence. An assessment of the patient’s mental status is made upon admission to the treatment center, and then again after detoxification. As a therapist, I’ve noticed that oftentimes, the symptoms of a co-morbid psychiatric disorder will emerge after two or three weeks of abstinence. The dual diagnosis treatment team includes the primary therapist, who provides guidance with treatment plan objectives addressing the four components of the disease-model of addiction and the process of recovery, and the staff psychiatrist, who addresses the therapeutic needs of the patient’s co-morbid psychiatric disorder. Psychoactive medication [non-addictive] may also be indicated which the psychiatrist will prescribe if necessary.