Dual Diagnosis

Anxiety is a natural part of life and can be a beneficial motivator or survival tool. It can also prevent you from expressing yourself because of innate fear. Additionally, it can be isolative as it causes insecurity in relationships and feelings of being distant from others. Anxiety Disorders, similar to depressive disorders, vary in presentation and severity. Symptoms of anxiety disorder fall into two categories, cognitive and physiological. Cognitive symptoms include feelings of tension, restlessness, and unease, difficulty concentrating, fatigue or being worn-out, irritability, and excessive worry. Physiological symptoms may include: rapid heart rate or increased blood pressure, sweating, trembling or shaking, perceived difficulty breathing, chest pains, dizziness, numbness or tingling, and temperature dysregulation.
 
The Victory Bay clinical team is ready to provide support in combating this uncomfortable behavioral condition. During you or your loved one’s time at our dual diagnosis treatment center, our team will assist in developing strategies to help you or your loved one manage the negative reactions and debilitating thoughts so that challenging circumstances can be faced with confidence and ease.

Bipolar disorder is a disease in which people cycle between two extreme states: depression and mania. The depressive state has the same symptoms as previously discussed, while the manic state involves symptoms such as: engaging in risky behaviors, loquaciousness, increased self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, racing thoughts, increased agitation, psychomotor agitation, and increased goal-directed activities. Oftentimes, people with bipolar disorder enjoy the beginning of the manic state and will attempt to recreate it with the use of substances.
 
Medication is necessary to reduce the presence of mood fluctuations. The clinical staff at Victory Bay can assist in adjusting to a medication routine and can discuss the increased risk of alcohol and drug use if mixed with medications.

Approximately 43% of individuals with substance use disorders, between the ages of 26 to 49, are also experiencing a mental health disorder. (SAMSHA.GOV) Based on this knowledge, Victory Bay ensures all clients receive psychiatric services and that consulting psychiatrists are a part of the multidisciplinary treatment. Beginning with our intake process, our staff begins to collect information related to a client’s psychiatric well-being. All clients are seen by an ASAM certified psychiatrist within 10 days of admission at which time the use of psychotropic medications to manage symptoms is discussed. Our psychiatrists are also available to discuss medication options, process any potential side effects, and discuss the benefits of such an intervention.
 
Ongoing medication management services are offered to all clients prescribed psychotropic medications. Appointment frequency is determined by best practice standards, as well as the complexity of each client’s symptoms. All clients, regardless if they utilize psychotropic medications, will have periodic follow-up appointments with the psychiatrist. This allows them to evaluate progress in treatment and any changes in presentation.
 
Victory Bay also has a registered psychiatric nurse on staff full time. She is available to discuss any issues related to medications. This includes providing education related to what each medication is, the purpose for taking, and strategies to manage side effects. Additionally, she helps to support those with physical health concerns. For example, concerns that may impact their use of psychotropic medications as well as their recovery from substance use disorders.