Dual Diagnosis

Dual diagnosis is when an individual has a dual disorder, chemical dependency and psychiatric disorder.  Recent research suggests over 70 percent of hospitalized alcoholics have experienced one or more episodes of another substance abuse or psychiatric diagnosis in their lifetime.  In some instances, a psychiatric disorder will mask alcoholism.  In other instances, alcoholism will mask a psychiatric disorder.  All professionals involved in treating dual diagnosis clients need to be familiar with both disorders, and teamwork is essential as well as close collaboration with professionals who are knowledgeable of assessment and treatment issues of dual disordered clients.

Fairwinds Treatment Center is devoted to the personalized evaluation and treatment of emotional and substance abuse related disorders.  Fairwinds staff combine the twelve-step program with a psychodynamic approach for the most effective intervention essential to successful treatment.  Diagnosing, then treating both problems more than doubles the success rate according to recent studies done by the National Institute for Mental Health.

Treatment Plan

Upon admission each patient is assigned a physician and a primary therapist, who together with the patient develop an individualized course of care which is designed to assist the patient in obtaining maximum benefits from their treatment.  This treatment plan is reviewed at least weekly and is updated and revised as appropriate.  The program schedule has been carefully designed to provide a combination of individual and group services through both an educational and counseling approach.  The patients progress through the program via a variety of phases which are designed to allow patients to accept more personal responsibility as they demonstrate the clinical ability to do so.  Each phase is designed to assist the patient in becoming more aware of their strengths and weaknesses and how to incorporate these into their daily living skills.

Transitional Phase

Each patient is carefully monitored throughout treatment and will be transferred to a less intensive level of care when this is clinically appropriate.  Many patients will participate in the partial day treatment program as part of their treatment plan as they re-integrate into their families and their home community.  This step down program provides the same array of services, and individualized care as the residential program, while allowing the patient the freedom and flexibility of living at home.  As patients demonstrate increased ability to make positive self-care decisions, they may be requested to participate in the partial program less than 5 days per week, eventually transferring to the aftercare program as it has been recommended to them.

Treatment Goals

Individuals will learn skills to help them stay abstinent (not use alcohol or other drugs), and ways to cope with the symptoms of their mental illness - other goals may include:

1. Resolving family problems
2. Work and employment issues
3. Sorting out legal problems
4. Developing positive leisure and recreational activities

Self-Help Groups

Fairwinds utilizes AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) and NA (Narcotics Anonymous) which play an important role in dual diagnosis treatment.  These are groups in which people with similar struggles and goals share:  fellowship, support, experience and information to maintain long lasting recovery.

Warning Signs for Individuals Who May Have Emotional or Mental Health Issues