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Why Integrated Treatment Is Most Effective in Dual-Diagnosis Treatment.​

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 Integrating all aspects of psychiatric illness has been found to have a more robust effect than treating illnesses using sequential treatment, or one disorder at a time.  If a patient is suffering from anxiety, in addition to alcohol abuse, sequential treatment would involve inpatient or outpatient detoxification, and then treatment of anxiety.  Integrated treatment uses medications and or psychotherapy to treat recovery from alcohol, with simultaneous treatment for the underlying anxiety.  This scenario is an example of a patient suffering with a dual diagnosis.  In order to best effectively “bridge” all aspects of a patient’s life, an integrated approach is utilized. 

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The following list contains additional examples of disorders, but is not limited to the areas of treatment provided at Bridge to Integrated Living:

 

ALCOHOL USE DISORDERS – Outpatient treatment suitable for individuals that do not require inpatient detoxification for stabilization.  Treatment may be suitable to involve FDA approved medications and non-FDA approved medications in reducing cravings to drink alcohol. 

 

OPIOID USE DISORDERS – Treatment involving suboxone, an opioid partial agonist, which acts as a bridge to sobriety for individuals with opioid illness.  Includes induction to suboxone treatment, ensuring patients are referred to individual/group psychotherapy, and routine testing for continued abuse of opiates or other illicit substances.   Suboxone treatment at the Carter Institute will involve bi-weekly visits initially, until both the patient and psychiatrist feel that stabilization has begun.  Routine urine drug testing affords both the patient and provider with information regarding continued sobriety.

 

STIMULANT USE DISORDERS – Cocaine, psychostimulants (Adderall, Vyvanse), methamphetamines.

 

HALLUCINOGENS – Patients using hallucinogens including, but not limited to, Ecstasy, Nitrous Oxide, PCP, and DHT, among other drugs, may be assessed and treated accordingly. 

 

PATHOLOGICAL GAMBLING – Some medications have proven effective in treatment of pathological gambling along with treatment of co-occurring or subsequent mental illness.

 

COMPULSIVE OVEREATING/BINGE EATING –  Medications may be utilized once patient has been assessed. New studies have found effectiveness of medications in decreasing binge behaviors.

 

Providing empathic, evidence-based approach in assessment and treatment.