Behavioral Health Center: Co-Occurring Disorders Treatment

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 co-occurring disorders treatment, 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: drug or alcohol dependency and: 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. Assessing co-occurring disorders early and addressing them during treatment brings 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 Dual Diagnosis treatment, and all that it includes, is a powerful tool that has proven to have a positive effect on preventing relapse after drug and alcohol treatment. Cottonwood's behavioral health center can also makes quick assessments of co-occurring disorders through our Cottonwood Assessment Program (CAP), CAP is a 4 day intensive inpatient assessment program providing a comprehensive evaluation that will focus on the specific needs of the individual.