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Our Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program

At Level Up West Palm Beach, we facilitate dual diagnosis clientele. In doing so, we provide the highest quality of care to those who need it most. Dual diagnosis cases (also called “co-occurring disorders”) are extremely common, especially among those with substance abuse disorders. In fact, there’s reason to believe that there’s a causal relationship between many mental disorders and substance abuse disorders.

For instance, according to a study published on substance abuse among veterans, 11 percent of veterans who visited a VA treatment facility for the first time met the criteria for substance abuse disorders. Veterans are also more likely to suffer from mental disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can lead to alcohol abuse and opioid prescriptions that lead to abuse and/or dependency.

Contents

  • 1 Overall Prevalence of Dual Diagnosis
  • 2 Igniting Addiction
  • 3 Identifying Dual Diagnosis Cases
  • 4 Not Sure What To Do Next?
  • 5 The Bottom Line

Overall Prevalence of Dual Diagnosis

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 7.9 million adults suffered from co-occurring disorders in 2014. The administration assessed the following groups as being at the highest risk of dual diagnosis:

  • The homeless community
  • Veterans
  • Those in the criminal justice system

It should be noted that there is some significant overlap in these groups. For the populations who are homeless or in the criminal justice system, the causal relationship may be different than with veterans.

A report published by the National Institute on Drug Abuse suggests that there is a reason why people with mental disorders are up to twice as likely to develop substance abuse disorders:

  1. Certain drugs can cause individuals to suffer one or more symptoms of another mental illness.
  2. Drug use disorders and mental illnesses are caused by overlapping factors; genetic, deficits and otherwise.
  3. Mental illness may precipitate, exacerbate or hasten substance abuse. An individual suffering symptoms of a mental illness is likely to attempt to self-medicate.

More often than not, people with mental health disorders either seek clinical medication or self-medicate with drugs and alcohol. People that acquire prescriptions for their condition are less likely to develop abuse disorders, but conversely, often the medications that they get access to have a high abuse potential, creating great risk.

People that self-medicate for their mental illnesses often start young, and the use of drugs or alcohol is now this way to ‘escape’ becomes an essential part of their life.

The reverse order can also be true, in which a mental disorder is caused or exacerbated by the use of drugs or alcohol. For example, some common pairings:

  • A study found that cocaine use can cause paranoia and anxiety
  • Alcohol and its relation to antisocial personality disorder or depression
  • PTSD and opioid abuse

Igniting Addiction

The original development of an addiction may have come about as a response to a mental health issue gone untreated. Without proper diagnosis, many seek to control or manage their disorders by self-medicating, using alcohol or tranquilizers for anxiety, amphetamines or cocaine for depression, etc., and the short-term relief or distraction makes the experiment look like a success.

Alternatively, a person mostly free from mental health problems might experiment with drugs and continue past “recreational use” to dependency–then secondary mental health issues can emerge. Untreated, these hasten the ongoing drug abuse with catastrophic results. Also, certain drugs like amphetamines and PCP can cause psychotic episodes themselves that may repeat themselves—these flashbacks can be triggered by stress even in long absence of drug use and are a major health and safety risk to the individual and those around them,

Repeat use then often leads to dependency, and a substance abuse disorder is formed where one previously might not have been. This very substance abuse can and will often exacerbate the mental illness, The mental illness then can impede long-term sobriety. This cyclical effect of dual-diagnosis makes it difficult to treat without the proper support or treatment, and treatment is paramount to all other matters in the individual’s life in order to achieve a life without major impediment.

Identifying Dual Diagnosis Cases

At Level Up Treatment Centers in West Palm Beach, we believe that if the client can identify the underlying issue and treat it simultaneously with their treatment for addiction. In this scenario,  the client’s chances of a successful, relapse-free recovery are much improved. In fact, once we can identify and properly begin treatment on the underlying issue that’s driving or co-occurring with the dependency on alcohol or other drugs, clients will have reached a major milestone and will be that much closer to long-term sobriety. The symptoms of the multiple disorders that can occur alongside addiction often present complex and similar symptoms: proper diagnosis requires a highly trained professional staff with years of experience.

We understand that long term recovery does not come in a one-size-fits-all program. For this reason, each client, upon arrival at our drug treatment center, will undergo an extensive and comprehensive physical and psychological exam with our team of physicians, counselors, mental health specialists, spiritual advisers, and nutritionists. Together, we will determine what the client’s underlying issues are so we can then customize and fine tailor an individualized approach and, when appropriate, provide integrated dual-diagnosis treatment.

Not Sure What To Do Next?

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(855) 719-1599

The Bottom Line

As the addiction treatment community begins to realize that addiction is itself a mental disorder, the relationship between substance abuse and mental disorders becomes more complicated. The greater treatment community largely lacks a proper understanding of dual diagnosed conditions, making for more situations going untreated in people’s lives, or having them not treated or diagnosed at all. Our dual diagnosis treatment center in West Palm Beach, Florida is one of the top facilities that employ the proper professionals trained to help treat these very co-occurring disorders concurrently. This type of tandem treatment provides some of the best success rates for individuals struggling from this comorbidity.

Get treatment for individuals stuggling with a substance abuse and mental health disorders. Call 855-719-1599 Today!

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Level Up West Palm Beach
4461 Medical Center Way
West Palm Beach, FL 33467
(855) 719-1599

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Michael Borzillo

Working hand in hand with and directing the medical, clinical, and behavioral tech departments, Michael leads our West Palm facility with dedication, love, motivation, and patience. With over 12 years of experience in the field of addiction treatment, Michael has worked his way up and through every facet of treatment operation. Having an intimate knowledge of the industry from his humble beginnings as a behavioral health tech, supervisor, clinical liaison, and now to current role as Regional Operations Manager with Level Up Treatment, Michael takes pride in leading by example, and most importantly never forgetting where he came from. 

Dr. Timothy Anderson, MD, MPH, FASAM

Beginning his career in the U.S. Air Force as a Flight Surgeon and Emergency Medicine Physician, Dr. Anderson eventually became a General Internist and held a private practice for 15 years, ultimately deciding to dedicate his practice and love of medicine to helping those suffering from mental illness and substance abuse. Dr. Anderson graduated with a Master’s in Public Health in 2000, becoming Board Certified in Addiction Medicine, and being named a Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine.

Martin Higgins

Martin’s responsibilities include financial and insurance advisory for clients and their families, managing the billing department and clarifying patient responsibilities before, during and after treatment. With over 2 years experience working in the substance abuse industry, Martin has worked as a Behavioral Health Technician, Alumni Coordinator, and Admissions Representative, qualifying him to understand the entire treatment process and the great difficulties a family and client can face during their journey in recovery. Martin understands the potential complexity of patient responsibility in treatment, and provides comfort, support, and tools to alleviate all client financial concerns or questions that might arise during a client’s journey in recovery.

Samantha Wasicsko, BSN, RN

As Director of Nursing, Samantha manages all aspects of the medical department which includes: Nursing, Physicians, Pharmacy, Licensing and Patient Care. Samantha is a graduate of Barry University in Miami, FL, and is a Registered Nurse with a Bachelor’s Degree focused in Nursing. Samantha has over 10 years of experience working in the fields of substance abuse and detoxification. For the last 5 years, Samantha has worked in a Managerial or Directorial capacity, and has assisted with the opening of 3 different detox facilities. Samantha has also directly worked with establishing the new pharmacies and compliance with the regulating bodies of DCF, DEA, and The Joint Commission.

Angela Smith, CAC

As Case Manager, and working in the treatment industry since 2015, Angela is responsible for assisting clients with their initial intake processes, client advocacy, legal documentation and medical disability necessities for outside client occupational integrity. Angela also facilitates clinical groups, crisis and family interventions, as well as clinically monitoring clients on a daily basis, leading with empathy, compassion, and understanding. Graduating from Penn State and the Academy for Addiction Professionals, Angela is professionally driven to help others overcome personal obstacles with substance abuse and mental illness to improve their overall well-being.

Alexis Demenczuk

Alexis supervises the Behavioral Health Technician branch of Level Up West Palm Beach and all of their operations day in and day out, working diligently to ensure the integrity and care of our facility and some of our hardest working staff. Alexis is currently enrolled in Palm Beach State College studying psychology, and has worked in the treatment industry since early 2016. Through a combination of multiple years of both professional and personal experience, Alexis contributes a strong sense of leadership, compassion, organization and understanding to the team with whom she loves working.

Lauren Puleo, LMFT, MCAP

As Clinical Director, Lauren is responsible for overseeing and directing all clinical departments, including oversight of Master’s level Primary Therapists, Case Manager, and Bachelor’s level Group Facilitators. Lauren coordinates therapeutic care, chart auditing, and ensures the safe and appropriate clinical treatment of our clients. Lauren is responsible for developing and overseeing group schedules, coordination of aftercare, and discharge planning. In addition, Lauren also conducts daily staff meetings and provides weekly supervision for clinicians to help strengthen and hone their skills. Her primary role as Clinical Director is management of her clinical team, facilitating groups, as well as holding a small caseload of clients. Holding a Master’s from Nova Southeastern, Lauren is a licensed marriage and family therapist and Master’s level CAP(Certified Addiction Professional). Having worked in the treatment field since 2014 providing individual, group and family therapy, and having been with our company since 2018, Lauren has a strong passion for helping those and the families of those suffering from addiction.