Dual Diagnosis TreatmentDual Diagnosis is a term used to describe a client who may have a concurrent mental health issue outside of just their substance abuse. These issues may be as minor as mild depression or anxiety, but may include a more severe mental illness, such as bi-polar, which may have played a significant role in the client’s addiction.

At A Sober Way Home, our medical and clinical staff are trained to provide the help/referrals necessary for clients arriving to our center who may have already been dually diagnosed, as well as provide the assistance needed for clients who may be unaware of the presence of depression or mental health issues which may become apparent over time in.

How We Address Dual Diagnosis Clients:  

Our medical director, Dr. Robert Ashby, initially meets with clients within their first week.   At that time, he covers the client’s medical history, ask about any known co-occuring mental health issues, and any medication regiment the client is currently following. Initially, he may prescribe medication he feels are medically necessary to aid in the detox process, help with withdrawal symptoms and ultimately help stabilize the client.

Over time he will follow up with clients to verify that their mental, emotional and physical states are leveling out. Often, clients begin to “feel normal again” after a few days or weeks. However, if clients do not appear to be improving satisfactorily with therapy alone in the emotional or mental arenas, he may suggest adding a needed medication, changing the level of medication, or changing the medications all together. In more severe cases, if the client is still not improving, the medical and clinical staff may refer clients to Dr. Ray Lemberg, Phd, our local clinical psychologist, for psychological testing and assessment*. Our goal is to address all co-occuring disorders to help the client to feel as much “like themselves” (clean/sober) and as comfortable in their skin as possible.

*There is an additional fee for this testing which may be partially or fully covered by insurance, depending on the insurance plan. The client’s therapist will assist you with any questions you may have.

Addiction Recovery at A Sober Way Home in Prescott, Arizona