Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center

“Dual diagnosis” and “co-occurring disorders” are terms that are used interchangeably to define individuals who have some type of psychiatric illness in conjunction with a substance abuse diagnosis.

Avalon Malibu employs highly qualified professionals who have the expertise to provide diagnosis and treatment protocols designed to treat the whole person. Individuals with a mental health diagnosis, such as panic disorder, major depression, bipolar (manic-depressive) disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, PTSD, or personality disorders, who find themselves in the clutches of addiction, need the kind of individualized professional care we offer. When you seek treatment at Avalon Malibu, a thorough psychiatric examination is done to determine the extent of the addiction and how co-occurring mental health issues relate.

In many cases, mental health conditions and addiction occur in tandem, creating a cycle of psychological pain and escape. In fact, one-third of clients diagnosed with mental health disorders will also face struggles with alcohol and drug addiction during their lifetimes. Roughly one-quarter of alcoholics – and half of drug addicts – will be diagnosed with a secondary mental health condition. We offer multi-dimensional therapy for clients suffering from both addiction and mental health struggles, offering therapeutic interventions founded on the mindfulness principles of present time awareness, acceptance, investigation, and change.

Co-Occurring Disorders Treatment Process

Studies have repeatedly shown that simultaneous, integrated treatment of co-occurring disorders and addiction yield the strongest – and longest – results. In order for addiction recovery to take place in a meaningful, lasting manner, mental health issues first must be resolved. Conversely, mental health progress depends on active sobriety, in order to therapeutically treat issues such as personality disorders, depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.

Our dual diagnosis treatment center team creates full-scale, detailed treatment plans for each client, integrating the transformative power of mindfulness meditative therapy (MMT) into each client’s therapy. Clients receive multifaceted therapeutic support, ranging from heralded, traditional therapies to avant-garde, evidence-based emerging techniques. Clients receive close supervision, supportive and medically guided drug and alcohol detoxification, and psychoeducation. Medication plans are carefully and collaboratively created, reviewed and adjusted as necessary, with a conservative bent aimed at healing instead of masking symptoms.

Step One: Co-Occurring Disorders Treatment Evaluation

At Avalon Malibu, we consider ourselves first and foremost a place of psychological healing, specializing in addiction. Our dual diagnosis clients receive the highest level of diagnostic evaluation, featuring psychological testing, medication evaluation, medical and mental health record review, and personal interviews. Each evaluating clinician takes time to sit with clients and assess their learning styles, drug and alcohol involvement, individual struggles, and any complicating factors such as trauma survival or process addictions. Avalon Malibu makes it a practice to earnestly seek out the best, most effective treatments for each prospective client – including leveraging our network of industry specialists for referrals.

Step Two: Drug Detox Program

This may be step two of the process, however this is the first step toward recovery. After the initial evaluation, our team has an understanding of the addiction and can provide personalized alcohol or drug detox. Since each addiction has its own withdrawal symptoms, we will tailor the detox to reduce as many of the withdrawal symptoms as possible.

Step Three: On-Going Counseling and Treatment Programs

We provide our clients with a carefully supervised detox protocol, and we provide the necessary counseling and treatment modalities specifically directed toward living a life without the use of drugs and alcohol. These include:

Alternative and homeopathic therapies
Transitional planning
Cognitive-behavioral therapy
Stress reduction techniques
Family counseling
Experiential and expressive arts therapy
After-care follow up to encourage sobriety

With the use of cutting-edge, proven dual diagnosis treatment modalities, we provide an atmosphere of hope and opportunity, to change a life caught in the grips of chaos and confusion to one of calm and serenity, free of addictions. Simultaneous treatment of co-occurring conditions is necessary in order to achieve the greatest potential for a successful return to healthy living. Our experts in dual diagnosis treatment closely monitor each client from the initial interview through their carefully planned treatment program to reduce the chances for a relapse.

Experimental Therapies

Experiential therapies allow clients to heal with purposed action and positive outcomes. Somatic emphasis attunes clients to physical cues that can provide valuable insight into substance abuse patterns, as well as shifts in psychological states. Family, couples and group therapy helps strengthen social interactions, rebuild relationships and institute a strong support system for clients during the recovery process. Clients learn stress reduction techniques, distress tolerance, trauma healing, present-focused directed thought, and emotional regulation techniques. Finally, clients collaborate with after care specialists to create practical transitional plans and follow-up support to promote lasting, relapse-free recovery.

Untreated alcoholism and drug addiction can often escalate to crisis, especially when mental health issues collide with chemical dependency. Caught in a circle of self-medication and building tolerance, addiction naturally accelerates, often accompanied by worsening psychological responses. At Avalon Malibu, we specialize in dual diagnosis stabilization, providing intervention plans for those who may have survived recent overdoses, psychotic breaks, or suicide attempts.

Dual Diagnosis Stabilization

Despite the harrowing nature of a mental health or substance abuse crisis, these experiences can often serve as a turning point in recovery. Unfortunately, hospitals and detoxification centers often are simply not equipped to provide the attentive, in-depth treatment that such crises require for lasting healing. While these medical and psychiatric interventions can be life-saving, clients often experience the hopelessness and frustration involved with revolving-door treatment that, at best, leaves them with a temporary reprieve.

At Avalon Malibu, we offer one of the most progressive dual diagnosis stabilization programs in the industry. On-site medical direction, psychological services, nursing supervision and detoxification facilities offer an environment where clients can receive the immediate, critical care they need. Clients also benefit from exhaustive diagnostic testing, expert clinical assessments, and interdisciplinary treatment plans that outline physical, emotional, and psychological courses for healing.

Mindfulness and Dual Diagnosis Stabilization

Mindfulness meditative therapies provide clients with a psychological foundation during the stabilization portion of treatment. Reserving judgment, clients learn to observe thought patterns, investigate belief systems, and recognize their own triggers for substance abuse, depression and anxiety. At Avalon Malibu, we specialize in teaching clients to leverage this mindful observance into focused attention and intentional action. As clients learn to integrate the principles of mindfulness into their daily inner experience, they become better able to cope with – and rise above – internal stress, reducing the chance of a psychological crisis or addictive relapse.

Dual Diagnosis