Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Stepping Stone is a nationally recognized dual diagnosis treatment center.

What exactly is dual diagnosis? It can best be described as the co-existence of a mental illness with drug addiction or alcoholism. Examples of typical mental illnesses might be depression, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, anxiety disorder, an eating disorder or attention deficit disorder. Effective dual diagnosis treatment addresses both the addiction and the mental illness simultaneously.

Dual diagnosis is very common. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA):

• Roughly fifty percent (50%) of individuals with mental disorders are affected by substance abuse.
• Thirty-seven percent (37%) of people suffering from alcohol abuse and fifty-three percent (53%) of those people suffering from drug addictions also have at least one serious mental illness.

The Consequences of a Dual Diagnosis

When compared to those individuals who have either an addiction or mental illness, those with a dual diagnosis often experience the following:

• A greater propensity for violence
• Medication noncompliance
• Failure to respond to addiction treatment
• Poorer functioning skills
• Greater risk for relapse
• More prone to physical illness
• Trouble developing and maintaining social relationships

It has also been found that those persons suffering from a dual diagnosis are likely to be incarcerated at one time or another. An estimated, twenty-six percent (26%) of jail and prison inmates are estimated to have dual diagnosis.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment at Stepping Stone

Stepping Stone Center for Recovery is an inpatient dual diagnosis treatment center located in Jacksonville, Florida. Our treatment philosophy is based on research that indicates that in order to avoid relapse and recover fully, both conditions should be treated simultaneously.

Our dual diagnosis treatment protocol generally includes:

• Detox, where any symptoms associated with withdrawal from addictive substances are managed.
• Medication to address the mental health component of dual diagnosis.
• Following detox, dual diagnosis treatment continues with therapy and other rehabilitative services focused on treating and managing both the addiction and the mental illness.

For additional information pertaining Stepping Stone's nationally recognized dual diagnosis treatment center, please call us directly, toll-free at 1-800-237-3150. Help is available 24 hours a day and all calls are confidential.