Co-Occuring Disorders

Co-occurring addiction program for adults at Erlanger Behavioral Health Hospital in Chattanooga, TN

At Erlanger Behavioral Health Hospital, we understand that many people who develop mental health disorders also struggle with co-occurring substance abuse and addiction. Individuals who experience multiple challenges in this manner may be said to have co-occurring conditions or dual diagnosis.

Co-occurring conditions may influence each other. For example, an untreated mental health disorder can prompt a person to attempt to self-medicate with alcohol or other drugs. Substance abuse and addiction can cause mental health symptoms to worsen.

In the absence of proper professional care, the result can be a continued downward spiral. But with the right help, life can get much better.

If you have been dealing with mental illness and co-occurring addiction, our hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee, may have the solutions that you’ve been searching for. Our co-occurring addiction program serves adults, age 18 and above, whose struggles with mental illness are accompanied by dependence upon alcohol or other drugs.

At Erlanger Behavioral Health Hospital, you’ll get the personalized help that you need to address and overcome all of the obstacles that have been preventing you from living a healthier and happier life.

Disorders and addictions treated in our co-occurring program

Our co-occurring program provides comprehensive care for adults who have a primary mental health diagnosis and a secondary substance use disorder diagnosis. Our services can help men and women whose mental health challenges are accompanied by addiction to alcohol and a variety of other drugs.

All admissions decisions for our co-occurring disorder program are made on a case-by-case basis. However, most adults who receive care in this program have been experiencing one of the following mental health challenges:

• Depression
• Anxiety disorders
• Bipolar disorders
• Schizophrenia
• Schizoaffective disorder
• Eating disorders
• Behavioral disturbances related to dementia
• Delusions
• Psychosis
• Posttraumatic stress disorder
• Personality disorders

While you’re in our co-occurring program, you’ll participate in a variety of therapeutic activities that will promote improved mental health while also preparing you to achieve long-term recovery from addiction.

How we treat co-occurring addiction and mental health concerns at Erlanger Behavioral Health Hospital

During your time in our co-occurring program, you’ll receive focused care from a highly skilled team. As with all programming at our Chattanooga, Tennessee, hospital, your personalized care in the co-occurring program will consist of the services that best meet your needs and prepare you to achieve your goals.

Depending upon a host of personal factors, your time in our care may include the following:

Detoxification: If you’ve been unable to stop using alcohol or other drugs long enough to start receiving care, our detoxification program may be the perfect first step. During detox, you can get through withdrawal with maximum safety and minimum discomfort. Throughout the process, you’ll have the help of psychiatrists, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers, and other experienced professionals. Detox at our hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee, typically lasts three to seven days. Once you’ve completed this service, you can begin to fully engage in our co-occurring program.

Medication management: Depending upon the nature of your mental health challenges, certain prescription medications may help you. If your psychiatrist determines that you can benefit from medications, you can receive medication management services throughout your time in our co-occurring program. These services include daily meetings with a psychiatrist, as well as medication monitoring and administration by nurse practitioners and registered nurses.

Individual therapy: Individual therapy can be a valuable element in your personalized care plan within the co-occurring program. During these one-on-one sessions, you will work with a licensed counselor or social worker. Individual therapy sessions, which are available on an as-needed basis, are supportive opportunities in which to address issues and concerns related to your care for mental illness and co-occurring addiction. Individual therapy can also be the perfect place to discuss matters that you are hesitant to bring up in a group setting.

Group therapy: You will have the opportunity to participate in several types of group therapy throughout your time in the co-occurring program at Erlanger. Depending upon your needs, you may participate in process groups, recovery groups, community groups, and psychoeducational groups. Group topics may include medication support, anger management, relapse recovery, independent living, suicide prevention, goal setting, and a host of additional relevant issues. Group therapy sessions at our hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee, are led by social workers, nurses, counselors, and other experienced professionals.

Family therapy: Your friends and family members can play an important role in supporting you during and after your time in our care. Your loved ones may also be trying to process how your struggles with mental illness have impacted them. Family therapy sessions during your time in our co-occurring program can help with both of these efforts. During family sessions, you and your loved ones can learn how to best support each other. You can also begin to heal any rifts that have prevented you from functioning as a healthy unit.

What makes our inpatient dual diagnosis program in Chattanooga, TN, so successful?

The individualized nature of care in our co-occurring program ensures that you will have a unique experience at Erlanger Behavioral Health Hospital. However, you can expect to benefit from certain fundamental features that have helped our program develop a reputation for excellence.

The following are examples of the many reasons why our hospital has been so successful at helping adults heal from mental health challenges and co-occurring addiction:

• Personalized care: The care that you receive in our co-occurring program will be determined solely by what is best for you. Shortly after you arrive at our hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee, you’ll complete a thorough assessment. This assessment will ensure that we’re prepared to address all of your mental health and addiction needs, and will guide the development of your personalized plan.
• Comprehensive services: Being able to address all of your mental health and addiction concerns is a crucial component of our co-occurring program. When your team is developing your personalized plan, they’ll be able to select from a variety of therapeutic services and related activities. As a result, you’ll have access to the comprehensive services that will empower you to achieve true healing and lifelong recovery.
• Experienced professionals: Throughout your time at Erlanger Behavioral Health Hospital, you and your loved ones will be working with experienced professionals who are committed to providing superior service. From your initial phone call through the development of your comprehensive discharge plan, every step of your Erlanger experience will involve dedicated experts who are focused on preparing you for long-term success.
• Compassionate support: At Erlanger, we understand that mental health disorders and co-occurring addiction can have a profound emotional impact. When you arrive at our hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee, you and your loved ones may be struggling to overcome shame, guilt, isolation, and other unpleasant experiences. In addition to offering clinically superior care, we’ll provide you with the compassionate support that will help you to overcome negative emotions and achieve a more hopeful perspective.

Ensuring that our patients continue to receive the help they need

At Erlanger Behavioral Health Hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee, we know that our co-occurring program is just one step in the recovery journey of adults who have been experiencing mental illness and co-occurring addiction.

To support the continued progress of all patients, our services include a detailed discharge planning component.

As with all aspects of care at Erlanger, discharge planning is a personalized service. The plan that you receive at the conclusion of your time in our co-occurring program will be customized according to your unique needs.

Depending upon several personal factors, your discharge plan may include a referral to a step-down program, such as a partial hospitalization program (PHP) or an intensive outpatient program (IOP). It may also include a recommendation for traditional outpatient therapy, information about local support groups, or details about other community-based services.

When you choose Erlanger Behavioral Health Hospital’s co-occurring program, you will receive personalized support that will put you on the path toward long-term success.