Best Outpatient Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers in Florida

Drug and alcohol treatment programs generally fall into two categories: inpatient and outpatient care. While both equally focus on substance use disorder recovery, each one has unique characteristics and benefits. Dual diagnosis can be especially difficult to treat, so it is important to find a dual diagnosis program that fits your needs with high-quality treatment options. Exploring the best outpatient dual diagnosis treatment centers in Florida can help you make the best decision possible for yourself on the long road toward recovery.

Understanding Outpatient Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Outpatient dual diagnosis treatment is a type of integrated recovery program that aims to help people with both substance use disorder and mental health disorders receive treatment simultaneously with minimal disruption to their daily lives. Dual diagnosis is a term used to describe the co-occurrence of a mental health disorder and substance use disorder. This condition, also known as a co-occurring disorder or a comorbidity, is common among individuals with drug or alcohol addiction.

Common co-occurring disorders seen with substance abuse include anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and bipolar disorder. Sometimes, individuals with these conditions will use drugs and alcohol to self-medicate their symptoms. Unfortunately, these behaviors only worsen mental health symptoms in the long run. Not only can untreated mental health conditions worsen on their own, but substance abuse can also exacerbate the symptoms as well. Drugs and alcohol act on areas of the brain responsible for mood regulation, which can also trigger a mental health disorder on their own. This interplay between the two conditions creates a vicious cycle of worsening symptoms, leading to co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.

Dual-diagnosis outpatient programs allow patients to receive effective addiction treatment while continuing with their daily lives. Outpatient treatment is generally less restrictive and can vary in intensity. A partial hospitalization program (PHP) is the most intensive form which requires patients to attend a full day of treatment for most days of the week but return home at the end of the day. Intensive outpatient programming (IOP) is a step down from PHP, requiring about 3 hours of treatment per day for 3 to 5 days a week. This allows more flexibility for work and life needs.

Benefits of Outpatient Treatment for Dual Diagnosis

Dual-diagnosis outpatient treatment is designed for people with more manageable co-occurring disorders. There are many reasons why someone may choose outpatient rehab over inpatient. Some benefits of outpatient treatment for dual diagnosis include:

• Ability to maintain employment. Outpatient treatment allows patients to continue working or going to school by offering treatment in the evenings or during off hours. Outpatient programs can reduce the loss of wages.
• Lowered costs. Dual diagnosis treatment can be expensive, but outpatient programs can be more affordable because they are less intensive and do not require you to pay for room and board.
• Family focus. Outpatient treatment programs generally have more family support than inpatient treatment. Being able to go home and have full contact with the outside world, allows you to receive support and maintain close relationships with loved ones.

Key Features of Top Outpatient Dual Diagnosis Centers

With over 700 drug and alcohol rehab facilities to choose from in Florida, it can be difficult to choose which ones offer top outpatient dual diagnosis care. Some key features you can look for include:

• Offer the correct specialties. In cases of co-occurring disorders, it is critical to ensure the treatment facility offers dual diagnosis treatment through evidence-based practices.
• High success rate. One of the best indicators of a top rehab center is its success rate of how many maintain sobriety. In general, the higher the success rate the higher the treatment center’s rating.
• Appropriate licensing and accreditation. Top-rated dual diagnosis treatment centers will be licensed with the state of Florida and hold accreditation by a third-party organization like the Joint Commission.
• Licensed clinical staff. Not every treatment facility offers dual diagnosis care, top centers will employ licensed clinical staff with the ability to diagnose and treat co-occurring disorders.

Criteria for Choosing the Best Outpatient Treatment Center

When choosing the best outpatient treatment center, it is important to consider what you need. What may work for one person, may not be a good fit for you. Some things to consider when choosing a facility include:

• Programs resonate with you. Some facilities have a focus on spirituality while others take a more scientific approach, you should choose the one that resonates with you.
• Treatment methods. Holistic therapies such as yoga, acupuncture, and nutrition can complement evidence-based methods. Consider whether these whole-person approaches to healing are important for you.
• Location. Consider whether the facility is in an accessible location so that it is easier to stay consistent with treatment.
• Insurance accepted. If you have a health insurance plan, make sure they accept it which can lower your out-of-pocket costs.

Integrated Care Approaches in Outpatient Settings

Co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders require an integrated approach for successful recovery. Integrated care approaches will not separate the two disorders but rather address them simultaneously. It is highly important to treat the two disorders at the same time as they often feed the other. If mental health disorders go untreated during addiction treatment, the person can easily relapse as their underlying triggers are still present. Integrated treatment approaches will help patients understand the connection between their substance abuse and mental health while providing tools and skills to manage mental health symptoms more healthily.

The Role of Therapy and Counseling in Outpatient Dual Diagnosis Treatment

There are several treatment types when it comes to dual diagnosis. One of the most important treatment types is therapy and counseling. One-on-one therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), can help find the root causes of addiction and help patients change thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to substance abuse. Counseling can help patients work through past traumas and current stressors which have also contributed to their substance use disorder.

How to Verify Insurance Coverage for Outpatient Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Substance use disorders fall under mental health disorders, which are often covered by medical insurance. You can call your insurance provider to ask what is covered under your plan and even receive referrals for outpatient dual-diagnosis treatment facilities covered by your plan. Many outpatient treatment centers can also verify your insurance and help you understand what is covered and any out-of-pocket costs to expect. They can also build an effective treatment plan around what is covered by insurance and to fit your budget.

Why WhiteSands Treatment is a Leading Outpatient Dual Diagnosis Center in Florida

WhiteSands Treatment is a network of inpatient and outpatient drug and alcohol treatment centers in Florida offering dual diagnosis programs. Founded in 2014, our programs have strived to raise the industry standards to improve patient comfort, quality of treatment, and long-term sobriety success. Our dual diagnosis programs do not separate substance use disorders and mental health disorders but rather aim to understand their connection within each patient and create personalized treatment programs that address both disorders simultaneously.

Dual diagnosis can be difficult to treat, but with the right recovery program, anyone can live the healthy life they envisioned for themselves. We offer all levels of care including medical detox, inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, and aftercare programs to meet each patient’s needs. Clinicians at WhiteSands can diagnose and treat co-occurring mental health disorders including anxiety disorders, depression, PTSD, and bipolar disorder.

If you would like more information about our dual diagnosis programs or would like to begin to verify your insurance, please give us a call today at (877)855-3470. 

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.