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Oasis Treatment Center: Dual Diagnosis
A growing percentage of persons currently entering Alcohol/Chemical Dependence
treatment, are diagnosed with dual disorders. This challenges the person and the treatment
facility to develop a plan in which all issues are addressed in the treatment experience.
Here at Oasis we want to be part of that solution.
Whether an eating disorder, anxiety, depression, Bi Polar disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive
disorder or other condition, we at Oasis believe that a total approach toward each
individual provides the best opportunity for physical, emotional and spiritual recovery.
Addressing only part of a problem means that a client leaves treatment with undressed
issues, and relapse is more likely. For example, a person who completes 30 days and leaves
treatment as a sober alcoholic but does not accept and address his depression is at high
risk for relapse.
There are three parts to dealing with clinical mood disorders, all equally important to
fully address the issue.
- Psychiatric evaluation and diagnosis followed by regular monitoring of medication with
the goal of getting the client chemically balanced.
- Individual and group therapies addressing specific addictions and co-occurring
conditions.
- Often minimized, the client himself must become an active participant in accepting and
dealing with dual disorder. With the same commitment they give their sobriety, clients
must learn to attend to their particular mood disorder. Some of these steps include:
~Acceptance of the condition and evolving beyond ego defenses used to avoid this such as
“ I’m not depressed” (denial), or “That is because of my
depression” (blame).
~Development of sober coping strategies for dealing with clinical mood disorders. This
involves recognizing symptoms, identifying patterns and sharing feelings in groups and
individual sessions.
As the client gains strength in sobriety, they also gain skills in dealing with their
mood problem, whether depression, Bi-Polar, Obsessive-Compulsive disorder or other
condition. Comparative to a diabetic who is also alcoholic, quality recovery occurs when
both areas are addressed.
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