Studies have shown that substance abuse is often linked to other mental illnesses — and yet many clinics only address the substance use itself, never addressing the underlying issue that may be contributing heavily to the problem.
That’s where dual diagnosis comes in.
Dual diagnosis clinics can address both the substance abuse itself and the underlying disorder that makes recovery challenging. However, not all clinics are created equal, and to get the best result, you need to find the right one for you.
If you’re looking for San Diego rehab centers that handle dual diagnosis, here’s how to pick the best one.
Qualifications and Certifications
The first and most important thing you should do is ensure that any rehab centers in San Diego you’re looking at are accredited by either The Joint Commission or The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (also known as CARF). These non-profit organizations base their results on the results that the rehab centers produce and the quality of the care.
While you should also ensure the center is licensed in California, accreditation takes the dual diagnosis clinic up a notch.
Within the center, you should also ensure that the staff holds appropriate licenses.
Evidence-Based Practices
You should also ensure that the clinic only uses evidence-based practices for dual diagnosis treatment. This means things like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and other methods that have years of scientific backing with great results.
A dual diagnosis treatment center may have a website that points out some of their practices, so you can be reassured by their choices. If they don’t, you should make it a point to ask what their methods are and research them to ensure they’re appropriate.
Consider the Reviews
For the most part, most alcohol treatment centers in San Diego will have some sort of reviews available online. This may be in the form of patient testimonials on their website (whether kept anonymous or the patient was happy for their name to be shared). If not, you can Google the name of the San Diego alcohol rehabilitation center along with the word ‘reviews’ and some should appear.
The main thing you want to look for is a good overall rating, with at least four stars or more. When you’ve asserted they have this, you can do a deep dive into the comments people are making and see what they thought of the place they were staying and the methods.
If you’ve had a family member or friend struggle with substance use — and they’re open about it — you can also ask where they sought help. Sometimes personal references are everything.
Tour the Premises
Due to privacy reasons, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to tour the entirety of a dual diagnosis treatment center — but you may be able to find a virtual tour on their website.
While some might argue that the staff’s qualifications and the success rate are more important than the luxury of the accommodation, you do need to feel comfortable. Many places now offer on-site laundry and luxury amenities like a pool and gym to ensure you stay feeling your best while getting treatment.
If you can’t tour the place before committing, ask lots of questions about what the experience is like staying there. Try to ask multiple people if possible to get a clearer picture.
Consider Your Finances
Although you may not want to think about the price of rehab for substance use and mental health disorders, it’s essential that you do. Considering the finances is key to deciding if you can afford a place.
Most rehab centers will take some sort of insurance, so if you’ve found a place you think is a good fit, run your insurance by them or look on their website. They should be able to tell you if they can accept it.
If not, you need to check the total price to make sure you can pay for the treatment out of pocket. Some centers will offer financing options to make it more affordable if you don’t have health insurance (or the center doesn’t take it).
At the same time, it’s important not to go with the cheapest option automatically. Consider the price of the facility along with all of the other factors to make the best and most informed decision.
Think About How the Staff Make You Feel
Nearly one in five Americans live with a mental illness, and there’s no shame in it. Unfortunately, it can still be stigmatized, leaving people anxious at the thought of seeking help.
The staff of your chosen dual diagnosis clinic should be able to put you at ease. You should feel comforted, reassured, and firmly in the hands of professionals. If the service feels impersonal like they’re using a cookie-cutter formula for every patient, it’s time to find another place — everyone is different!
You should especially not choose them if you feel judged or uncomfortable.
Some anxiety about getting treatment is normal. However, the staff shouldn’t make that worse.
Consider These Things to Pick the Best Dual Diagnosis Clinic
Picking a dual diagnosis clinic can be hard. There are quite a few available, and this is a big choice. After all, you don’t want to entrust your recovery to the wrong place.
Don’t worry. As long as you research the facility and consider all of these things, you’ll make the right choice. Check that the clinic is accredited, ask about the practices used, and consider the money and comfort.
If you do all that, you can’t go wrong.
If you’re in San Diego and looking for dual diagnosis help, contact us today. Our friendly intake coordinators will help you get started on your recovery journey.