Located in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, Southcoast Behavioral Health is a 192-bed psychiatric hospital that provides inpatient treatment for adults who have dual diagnosis mental health and substance abuse concerns.
Southcoast Behavioral Health Hospital’s 24-unit dual diagnosis program serves adults age 18 and above who have been diagnosed with both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder. This stand-alone program is housed within our hospital’s inpatient unit and is equipped to address the unique challenges associated with a dual diagnosis.
The typical length of stay within our dual diagnosis program is between five and seven days but depends entirely upon each patient’s needs. During their stay, patients receive comprehensive care for substance abuse in addition to a wide range of mental health conditions, including:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Mood disorders
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Suicidal ideation
- Homicidal ideation
Each patient who heals at Southcoast will have a unique treatment experience based on their personal strengths and challenges within the recovery process. However, all patients will have access to the same comprehensive menu of science-backed treatment modalities, including:
- Motivational interviewing
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- One-on-one support
- Family support
- Group therapy
- Detox services (as needed)
- Overdose prevention education
These effective services are delivered by Southcoast’s treatment team, which includes psychiatrists, nurses, case managers, licensed mental health counselors, licensed social workers, and mental health technicians.
Group therapy is a major component of care within the dual diagnosis unit at Southcoast, and process, didactic, or topic-based groups take place a minimum of five times per day. These groups revolve around topics that are relevant to participants, including overdose prevention, learning about addiction, medication management, and various psychoeducational themes.
At Southcoast, we know that strengthening each patient’s mental health is a critical part of the journey to sobriety. However, we also support our patients’ physical well-being by offering basic medical care from our staff of medical doctors and registered nurses, and daily medication management from a psychiatrist or nursing staff.
For those who are currently abusing illicit substances, we offer on-site detox services that typically last about five days. During this time, patients rid their minds and bodies of harmful substances under the care of our treatment team. If necessary, we provide medications, such as methadone, Suboxone, Subutex, or Vivitrol, that can ease the discomfort of detox and greatly enhance our patients’ ability to achieve sustained sobriety. As they gain strength and clarity, we welcome patients to engage with therapeutic services throughout their detox experience.
If you or someone you care about is struggling with addiction and a mental illness at the same time, you need a program that understands how both of these struggles impact treatment and recovery. To learn more about the dual diagnosis program at Southcoast, you can contact our admissions department at any time. We are available 24/7 to help you begin the admissions process, make a referral, or provide more information about any aspect of healing at our hospital.
