At Cottonwood Tucson, we pride ourselves on our internationally respected co-occurring disorders program. Frequently, substance abuse and another condition, such as depression, occur together. As a first step to determine whether there is a need for a dual diagnosis, each patient who enters Cottonwood participates in a detailed medical and psychiatric assessment, including a thorough physical examination with a staff physician.
This medical workup and diagnosis becomes an ongoing part of his or her treatment plan. Each patient is also evaluated by the Cottonwood therapy staff, which includes a bio-psycho social assessment for underlying mental health issues other than what is considered to be the primary problem. Presenting dual-diagnosis issues could include: depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, etc. If left unattended, these problems frequently manifest into major mental health concerns, which increase in chronicity and frequency. By assessing them early and addressing them during treatment, the opportunity is created to bring awareness and the potential for resolution. Much of this work will be continued after treatment, following a dialogue between Cottonwood and the patient’s therapist.
Cottonwood’s Co-Occurring Disorders Program, and all that it includes, is a powerful tool that has proven to have a positive effect on preventing relapse after treatment.
