What Are Co-Occurring Disorders?
Co-occurring disorders happen when someone has a substance use problem and a mental health concern that’s affecting their functioning. The term “dual diagnosis” also describes these disorders. While substance abuse and mental illness are unique as disorders on their own, we know that approximately 45% to 50% of drug and alcohol abusers fall into this category. Fortunately, programs can address both issues simultaneously.
Mental health treatment and substance abuse treatment can produce a desirable effect in many patients. While it’s up to the individual to make an effort to change their ways, Venture Academy can help. Our programs give teens the resources they’ll need for success.
Teens that view drug, alcohol and electronic addiction as nothing important will often display many signs of troubling behaviour that can put a significant strain on the family. Parents will feel that they’re at battle with their teenagers and wonder if things will ever get better. When this happens, measures such as intensive integrated treatment are the best option for recovery.
Our Program for Co-Occurring Disorders
Mental health treatment and our educational component of the program help students get back on track. When your teen arrives at our centre, we’ll conduct an evaluation that lasts for 30 days. During this period, the student will take courses at our schoolhouse. We’ll help them with stabilization, and provide a thorough and accurate analysis of the steps necessary to best help them. Our staff sets a treatment plan in place, and your teen will follow the plan for the duration of their program with Venture Academy. Benefits of the program include:
- Group meetings
- One-on-one counseling
- Ongoing assessments to gauge performance
- Ability of parents to check their teen’s progress in school
- Experienced instructors
Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) helps the student through the process on their journey to self-actualization. An emphasis on how feelings, thoughts, and emotions all affect us is how CBT helps your teen understand their behaviour. They learn about how the choices they make, based on unhelpful thoughts, affect them. Participants with anxiety, depression and co-occurring disorders respond exceptionally well to CBT.
Dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT) attempts to change the patient’s emotional reactions. Through mindfulness and self-governance, the individual finds it much easier to handle anxiety. DBT works well for treatment-resistant patients by helping them to change their attitudes at a deep level.
Working With Others Toward Recovery
Group therapy settings in recovery are especially beneficial for dual-diagnosis patients. Staff members lead and direct the groups, often presenting a particular helpful topic to explore. The participant’s peers will share their experiences in life, and the group works toward the common goal of recovery. Since our program is residential and the student isn’t in their usual environment, they often find it much easier to share with the group and reframe their thinking.
Program participants also engage in recreational activities and learn new methods to cope with the stresses of life. Our centre ensures that there is no risk to the student in the environment that could potentially make them relapse. Family members can visit the student, and they’re also allowed to return home to visit.
Treatment for Co-Occurring Disorders
Since all individuals are unique, we tailor their program to provide the student with the best chance at success. For this reason, there’s no specific program length as a general rule. We accept new students on a rolling admission basis, and there’s no waiting list once we process the application. Within a few days of approval, the program will begin, in most cases. We have several locations throughout Canada for your convenience. If your teen is struggling with co-occurring disorders and you’d like to see them accomplishing more, call Venture Academy today at 866.762.2211.
