For many young adults, addiction is more than just the physical struggle with drugs and alcohol. Often times diagnosed or undiagnosed co-occurring mental health disorders play a role in substance abuse. In fact, nearly 6 in 10 individuals who struggle with substance abuse are also affected by at least one co-occurring disorder, making the acknowledgment or discovery of its presence a critical component of treatment.
At Sober College, we know that addiction is a brain-based disease and that long-term health and well-being is dependent on brain health and function. We also know that brain-healing in young adults is different from brain-healing in older adults – many hours of psychodynamic process-oriented work (sitting in a room talking about feelings) alone is not what engages or helps young adults best.
In order for therapeutic work to be successful for this population, treatment needs to be individualized and young adults need to be engaged in the work they are doing. That is why we have created a dynamic schedule of individual and group therapeutic activities that keep young adults engaged while simultaneously healing their brains and helping them to create healthy, authentic relationships, and fulfilling lives.
Sober College’s Expertise in Dual-Diagnosis Treatment
Sober College blends mental health and substance abuse treatment to provide an integrated therapeutic experience for all clients. By offering a variety of assessments and clinical treatments in order to identify and treat substance abuse and mental health disorders simultaneously, Sober College’s dual-diagnosis treatment programs ensures our clients have the opportunity to achieve lasting sobriety—this sets us apart from other treatment centers.
1. Truly Individualized Care
- Your child’s treatment plan is developed with consideration of their unique needs. With an initial assessment and on-going treatment team meetings, we determine the best approach to your child’s recovery and adapt to meet their changing needs as they move through the different phases of our program.
- Although the road to recovery may be similar for many people, we make sure that your child’s individual experiences, history, and needs are at the center of their treatment program.
2. Hand-Picked, Personalized Treatment Team
- Each client is assigned their own personalized treatment team consisting of treatment professionals who will work with him or her throughout the recovery process. This team will have an intimate knowledge of your child’s needs in recovery and be able to provide the most comprehensive care possible. Although our entire staff is available to your child in treatment, this close-knit team of treatment professionals will get to know your child and their needs at an in-depth level.
- The personalized treatment team will consist of a therapist, counselor, and academic coach who are hand-picked based on a client’s unique needs. The team also develops a personalized health fitness plan, along with a psychiatric and neuropsychological treatment plan (if applicable). Together, this team ensures that all aspects of your child’s stay at Sober College helps them down a productive, positive path to recovery and living their best life.
Have questions regarding our one-of-a-kind dual-diagnosis treatment program?
Call 424.229.4179 to speak with an admissions counselor.
“The level of individualized care & clinical expertise offered to each client makes our dual-diagnosis treatment centers the most effective at helping clients achieve lasting sobriety.“
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3. Recovery Through Experience
Recovery is more than just achieving sobriety; it is the process of developing life skills and coping mechanisms to support a new sober identity. Learning the tools is only part of the process. Since we are a long term drug rehab, your child has time to build upon experiences, helping to cement what they’ve learned and allow them to see how they can use these tools in life after treatment.- Some of the most valuable resources available to clients at Sober College are provided through experiential therapies, the development of life skills, and fostering independence. These are all critical to helping your child realize their full potential.
4. A Comprehensive Approach to Dual-Diagnosis Treatment
Your child’s unique background provides insight into what will work best for them in treatment. By identifying these distinct influences, we can create a treatment plan comprised of the most effective therapies for them, which may include:
In this video, Dr. Holly Daniels, Clinical Systems Director at Sober College, talks about our dual-diagnosis approach to treatment and what makes it so effective for young adults.
More About Our Well-Rounded Dual-Diagnosis Treatment
Initial Assessments
Identifying the presence of a co-occurring mental health disorder can be difficult because it is often masked (or mistaken) by symptoms of drug and alcohol abuse. Initial assessments consist of an intake assessment, neuropsychological mini-screener and meetings with our Medical Doctor, certified Psychiatrist and Academic team. Assessing attention, concentration, executive functioning, psychomotor-speed and memory ensures that treatment is productive both academically and therapeutically.
Individual Therapies
One-on-one individual therapy sessions with a professional can help your child explore contributing factors to substance abuse and develop healthy coping skills.
Clients at Sober College participate in individual therapeutic sessions for 7-10 hours per week depending on level of care and if trauma work is needed. These weekly individual therapy sessions include:
- Individual Master’s or Doctoral level psychotherapist (2x 1 hour sessions)
- Individual CADC Addiction Counselor/ Case Manager (2x 1 hour sessions)
- Individual Academic Coach (at least 1x 1 hour session)
- Psychiatrist (weekly as needed)
- Fitness Assessment & Plan (as needed)
- Trauma Assessment / Individual Trauma sessions as needed – Rapid Resolution, EMDR, Somatic Experiencing (as needed)
Group Therapies
As a young adult only treatment center, we provide age-specific group therapy that allows your child to explore themes and topics with peers who share similar experiences. Age-specific treatment provides unique perspectives in cohort conversations and can help strengthen clients’ support network while dissolving feelings of isolation.
Clients participate in 18 to 22 hours of group therapeutic activity weekly, including:
- Process Groups
- CBT or DBT Group
- Relapse Prevention Groups
- Addiction Psycho-Education Group
- Life Skills Group
- Experiential Therapy and Process Groups
- Study and Work Skills Groups
- Academic Classes
- Creative Arts Groups
- Yoga / Mindfulness Classes
- Family Workshops and Groups
Psychotherapy & Trauma Therapy
Evidenced-based psychotherapy sessions led by Master’s and Doctoral level clinicians help your child understand the underlying contributors to their substance use and mental health issues so they can learn to manage stressors more effectively and create healthy, strength-based lifestyles. As a residential treatment center for young adults, we see your child every day, and we can assess their level of functioning and discern the best therapies needed for long term healing and growth. Trauma Therapies including EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, and Rapid Resolution Therapy are offered for those who have struggled with complex and/or acute traumas.
Neuropsychology
This is a form of clinical psychology that explores the way the brain and nervous system affect how we function on a daily basis. Substance abuse can have a substantial impact on these functions and neuropsychology works to identify and rehabilitate those who may have developed conditions as a result. Our neuropsychologist provides a short-form assessment of every client who comes in for treatment, and full neuropsychological testing can be done onsite if needed.
Psychiatric Management
When necessary, psychiatric and medication management can help reduce symptoms of mental health disorders, allowing clients to focus on their strengths and move forward. For someone who struggles both with addiction and co-occurring mental health issues, a combination of traditional therapies and medication management can be the most effective path to full recovery.
Drug and Alcohol Counseling
This form of counseling can be done one-on-one or in groups. It educates your child about addiction and helps them learn how to cope with stressors by engaging in other, healthier outlets. Drug and Alcohol counseling also helps clients learn how to lean in to a support community and rely on the help of others who have overcome the same struggles they are experiencing.
Ongoing Family Workshops & Family Therapy
Addiction affects more than just your child; your family may also struggle as a result of substance abuse. Family workshops help loved ones identify ways in which they can receive their own support, as well as learn how to be positive contributors to your their child’s success. Family work can happen with an individual therapist meeting with one family or in intensive family workshops where families learn from the clinical team and one another.
Experiential Therapies & Activities
In addition to traditional therapies, experiential therapies provides traditional therapeutic benefits in non-traditional environments. Your child will participate in trapeze, equine, surf, and rock climbing therapies. Taking therapy outside the office allows clients to practice coping skills in real-time as they face challenges and succeed in activities that they may not have tried before.
Clients also participate in numerous enjoyable activities that give them an opportunity to practice having fun while sober and interacting with others in healthy, socially desirable ways.
Academic Classes and Productivity Sessions
Our addiction rehab offers college credits and paths to finish high school if needed, providing education as another form of therapy for the healing brain. Our academic coaches work individually and in group settings with clients to support improved executive functioning skills and create productivity plans to help clients build meaningful lives. We are the only treatment center to partner with a 4-year accredited university to offer 3-credit college courses on site. Rolling admission allows clients to take college courses as soon as they come to treatment.
Fitness Groups and Activities
Physical exercise has been proven to reduce depression and anxiety and increase mental resilience, as well as improve the health of our bodies and overall functioning. Clients have a wide array of physical activities to choose from at Sober College, from regular trips to the gym to participate in intramural sports teams in the community. Clients also have the opportunity to kick-box, mountain bike, surf, hike and more throughout the week.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a learned, constructive, self-affirming practice your child can use for the rest of their lives. Mindfulness practice has been proven to be an effective healing tool for those struggling with addictions and mental health issues. We regularly discuss and practice mindfulness as a community, and clients participate in yoga and mindfulness exercises to encourage introspective thought and self-reflection. Your child will work on acknowledging and accepting one’s thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations in order to become more present and more able to calmly respond to stressors in healthy, life-affirming ways.
Specialized Therapy
Your child may struggle with a more unique subset of co-occurring disorders due to addiction. We offer specialized therapies and supports to address these needs including:
- PTSD and Trauma Therapies
- Anger management
- Disordered Eating Psychoeducation
- Support for Learning Disabilities and Learning Differences
- Behavioral and Social Support for Autism Spectrum related issues
- “CBT” or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- “DBT” or Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Give Sober College a Call
Your child is more than their addiction or their mental conditions—we want to get to know their hopes for the future to help them become the best version of themselves. If your child may be in need of dual-diagnosis treatment, send us a message or give us a call at 424.229.4179 to tell us more about your child.
*NOTE: We are not a licensed mental health or psychiatric facility*