Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center in Arizona


Are you interested in learning how a dual diagnosis treatment center can help you or a loved one? Look no further- we have all the information you need. Dual diagnosis refers to a type of substance use treatment facility which focuses on treating not only a person’s issues with drug addiction and alcoholism, but also the co-occurring and underlying causes of these issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma and various other behavioral, mental and emotional disorders. 

How Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers Help Patients

In the 2018 survey, 9.52% of Arizona residents reported using illicit drugs in the past month, nearly 1% higher than the national average

Instead of simply providing treatment and therapy focused on someone’s addiction to drugs or alcohol, therapists and doctors at a dual diagnosis rehab work very hard to uncover and treat the underlying causes their patients are also struggling with.

What's the Best Dual Diagnosis Addiction and Mental Illness Treatment Center Near Me in Arizona?

Rehab facilities who do not treat co-occurring disorders often times leave serious issues unaddressed and untreated, which is one of the leading causes for the higher relapse rates at these facilities. We at Pinnacle Peak Recovery understand this and work hard to be the best facility for your specialized needs, serving clients in the areas of Scottsdale, Phoenix, Tuscon, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, and nationwide visitors. Someone who leaves a traditional treatment facility with untreated issues like anxiety or depression are at a considerably higher risk of relapse because these co-occurring disorders are not separate from their substance use but are in fact closely intertwined. This is why dual diagnosis treatment facilities in Arizona have gained so much popularity in recent years, because they treat all of a person’s issues and leave them in a much better position for future, lifelong success.

Some of the most common and effective forms of therapy used in a dual diagnosis treatment center are:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – Also known as CBT, this form of therapy focuses on changing a patient’s situational perception and helping them to react in healthier and more positive ways to their environment. This is very helpful for patients with things like anxiety and depression.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy – Also known as DBT, this form of therapy focuses on developing mindfulness, emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness in patients. DBT has been found to be extremely helpful in those who struggle with many forms of co-occurring disorders like borderline personality disorder.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) – EMDR is a form of therapy developed specifically to help patients overcome past trauma and heal the symptoms of these traumatic experiences.

Medication Management – For patients with psychiatric and mental health disorders, it is sometimes important that they are on certain types of psychiatric medications. If this is the case, then board certified psychiatrists can prescribe and manage a patient’s medication and treatment protocol.

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Let the team at our Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center in Scottsdale guide your journey.

What are the Symptoms of Co-Occurring Disorders?

The sad reality of the situation regarding substance use is that most people who abuse drugs or alcohol have some sort of mental or behavioral health issues as well. These issues can either predate the substance use, or many times they can be a result of it. Regardless of how these co-occurring disorders originally present themselves, it is crucial that they are addressed during treatment. Unresolved issues like anxiety, depression and trauma can leave a patient at high risk for relapse. If you or your loved one is struggling with co-occurring disorders like anxiety, depression, trauma or other mental health issues then a dual diagnosis treatment facility is almost always the right choice.

The three most common co-occurring disorders which present themselves in those who also struggle with substance use are:

Anxiety – Feelings of nervousness, panic or fear are the most common symptoms of anxiety. Many people use drugs or alcohol as a way to self-medicate their anxiety, which is what got them to start abusing substances in the first place. This leads them down a path of progressive substance use, eventually spiraling out of control and creating a situation where even more anxiety can occur. Anxiety can also be common for those who abuse drugs or alcohol even if it was not an issue for them before they began using, this is why it is one of the most common co-occurring disorders.

Depression – Depression is another very common co-occurring disorder for people who are struggling with substance use. While depression can come in many forms it often presents itself as a lack of motivation, feeling “empty”, loss of interest and difficulty sleeping. While many of these symptoms are also associated with substance use, it is important to understand that depression is a separate diagnosis that requires specified treatment which can often differ from substance use treatment.

Trauma (PTSD) – Trauma is also a very common issue for those who abuse drugs and alcohol. PTSD is among the most common co-occurring disorders and can be quite debilitating to individuals both during their addiction and, if left untreated, can continue to cause serious issues which could potentially lead to relapse. Trauma can happen in many different ways, sometimes people have childhood trauma which causes them to self-medicate using drugs or alcohol. Other times, the dangerous lifestyle which can be associated with drug abuse may place people in situations where they can experience trauma after they have started using drugs as well. Regardless of the origin of the trauma, treating it in conjunction with substance use is crucial to long term sobriety.

While these three issues are the most common co-occurring disorders, they certainly are not the only ones. Other issues like bipolar disorder, ADHD and borderline personality are other issues which often present themselves together with substance use. The key here is that if you or your loved one are afflicted with one or more of these issues, then finding the appropriate dual diagnosis treatment center is crucial. Failing to treat co-occurring disorders during inpatient rehabilitation is one of the most common causes for relapse when someone completes a drug and alcohol treatment program.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers Have a Comprehensive Approach

Unlike a standard treatment facility, our dual diagnosis treatment facility in Arizona has a psychiatrist on staff in order to adequately address a patient’s mental health needs. Upon intake, the patient will meet with the medical staff first in order to assess their medical and potential detoxification needs. Once the patient is deemed medically stable, then they will meet with the psychiatrist who will do a full analysis on their mental and behavioral health. Once they have been able to assess this, the psychologist will recommend a treatment plan for the patient to address their co-occurring disorders.

Depending on the patient’s personal needs, detoxification may begin at this time, the length of which will be determined by many factors. After detox, once the patient is deemed medically stable and ready to move forward with recovery, they will meet with a psychiatrist who will do a full analysis of their mental and behavioral health.

These facilities also typically have a higher staff to patient ratio, meaning there are fewer patients and more staff. This is beneficial as the patients are able to receive more individual attention and care, allowing them to recover from their multiple issues. While many standard treatment centers can have more than 10 or 15 patients for every staff member, dual diagnosis programs typically have 5 or fewer patients for every staff. This can make a considerable difference in both the patient’s experience in treatment, but also their overall chances of success.

The final thing that makes dual diagnosis treatment facilities considerably different from standard treatment centers is the average length of stay for a patient. Most standard programs follow the 28-day model, meaning the patient has only 4 weeks to recover from a drug or alcohol addiction which may have lasted many years. While 28 days can be adequate for some, it is not an appropriate length for those who are struggling with co-occurring disorders. This is because treating issues like anxiety, depression or PTSD can take considerably more time, especially when they are combined with a substance use issue.

Most dual diagnosis treatment centers have programs which are at least 90 days long, meaning they offer more than 3 times the length of stay for a patient with co-occurring disorders. This extra time allows for the psychiatrists, doctors and therapists to provide extensive and effective treatment for the patient. Because of this added length of time, dual diagnosis treatment centers often have considerably higher success rates for patients that complete their programs and lead to longer and more firmly established sobriety.

Focus on Therapy

Programs like Pinnacle Peak Recovery offer a full continuum of care. Instead of moving progressively through multiple organizations, you can find the programs you need in one place. If you require placement in a lower level of treatment or after-care services, you can access them seamlessly without the hassle of switching facilities.

As the fastest-growing state in the country, Arizona’s population creates a diverse need for resources like housing, schools, and healthcare. 

We are equipped with a care team that brings its expertise in the mental health and substance use fields to our patients with a multidimensional therapeutic approach toward healing and recovery.

Our commitment to your healthcare or your loved one’s is one of compassion with a family feel while offering clinical excellence. Our top-rated rehab facility in Scottsdale and surrounding cities have programs to serve people with substance use disorders or behavioral health conditions. These programs are based on the mission that healing is possible by embracing a new design for living.

therapist writes about what is dual diagnosis

Focus on Therapy

In both addiction treatment and mental health treatment, therapy is an important component. As a result, dual diagnosis programs offer therapy that can be beneficial for patients in a number of different ways. Both behavioral therapy and group therapy target mental health as well as substance use addiction.

Individual behavioral therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy work to change the way that patients think. 

  Improving self esteem and focusing on positive changes to behavior have the potential to improve life. Creating healthy habits, including how to deal with stress in a safe way, can lead to countless improvements.

Group therapy is also a great way for dual diagnosis patients to work on recovery. By sharing experiences with others, it is easier to avoid feelings of isolation and disconnection. Since loneliness, guilt and shame are common in those who struggle with substance use, group therapy is a common aspect of dual diagnosis treatment centers. These programs can be instrumental both for mental health and recovery from addiction.

Choosing Medication That Doesn’t Hinder Sobriety or Health Conditions

Mental illness often affects mood or energy levels. Individuals with high anxiety are often tense or can not fall asleep. People with depression can have low energy levels. They turn to things like drugs and alcohol to help reduce that stress. These individuals are self-medicating and they abuse drugs and alcohol to manage their symptoms. The problem is that the substances mask symptoms but do not treat the mental illness that is causing them.

The brain is full of chemicals that keep a person mentally and emotionally stable. These chemicals are not always balanced correctly in a person with mental illness. Adding drugs and alcohol often creates an even more severe imbalance in these brain chemicals, which continues to make the core mental health issues more severe.

Many patients who struggle with mental health are able to benefit from some form of prescription medication. However, it is incredibly important to make sure that the medications that are prescribed for mental health do not interfere, or make worse, issues with substance use and addiction. This is one of the reasons that dual diagnosis treatment centers in Arizona is a key to recovery. When medical professionals are aware of the mental health and substance use history of their patients, they can choose a medication and form of treatment that won’t become problematic. In particular, they can focus on drugs that are not addictive.

What Our Valued Patients Say

Pinnacle Peak Recovery is Arizona’s Best Mental Health Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center

At Pinnacle Peak Recovery, we know that dealing with substance use and co-occurring disorders can be a stressful time for any family or individual. In addition to providing the best dual diagnosis treatment in Arizona, we strive to make the admissions process as quick and as simple as possible. Call us today to get the drug rehab treatment that you or your loved one deserve. There is no need to fight against drug addiction and alcoholism alone. We have an experienced team of professionals available 24/7 to assess the situation and help guide you through the admissions process to make sure that you get help as quickly as possible.   Contact us today 866-377-4413.

Call Our Beautiful Arizona Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center Today!

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