Aftercare & Case Management

Firstly, where a 28 day rehab stay might be sufficient for someone dealing with addiction alone, the co presentation of a mental health disorder generally calls for a longer and more intensive period of treatment. Families should be prepared to be patient, and understand that results can take time. The facility should be willing to continue treating the patient until stabilization and abstinence remains likely after release.

Aftercare and continuing case management are of particular importance for the dual diagnosis addict, and when selecting a rehab, this should be a priority.

It's never easy to intervene, and getting an addict the help they need is always difficult, and never more so than when there is a dual diagnosis of substance abuse and addiction, but the risks of doing nothing are too great, and the possible benefits of recovery and with treatment, psychiatric stabilization, are equally great. Be patient, and try to select a facility well set up to understand and treat the unique challenges that a dual diagnosis always presents. Look for professional staff and continuing psychiatric evaluation, family involvement and significant and intensive aftercare and case management.