Addiction treatment
If you struggle with drug or alcohol addiction, help is here. Treatment is unique to you, but it can include inpatient and outpatient rehab, therapy and support groups.
Dual diagnosis and substance abuse programs in Northern Virginia
If you struggle with substance abuse and mental illness, you are not alone.
Dominion Hospital has a dual diagnosis addiction program for patients who suffer from both mental illness and substance abuse. Our Intersect program offers treatments that address both issues to help make your recovery a reality.
Get an assessment now
In just a few easy steps, you can get started on the road to recovery and wellness. Let us help you find the programs you need to heal.
In just a few easy steps, you can get started on the road to recovery and wellness. Let us help you find the programs you need to heal.
Our substance abuse treatment
The goal of our Intersect program is to care for your overall health, addressing both symptoms of substance abuse and behavioral health conditions.
Intersect program for dual diagnosis
Our Intersect program is for individuals who have both a mental health diagnosis and regularly use drugs or alcohol — referred to as dual diagnosis. It's critical that both conditions are properly diagnosed to ensure treatment is appropriate and effective. Intersect is offered as a treatment track within both our adolescent mental health and adult mental health programs.
Our approach to care
We believe in enhancing an individual’s capacity for positive change by creating an environment of acceptance. Here, issues related to the use of substances can be explored and changed, facilitated in a supportive and encouraging space.
What to expect in our Intersect program
Treating a dual diagnosis begins with integrated, patient-centered and holistic care combined with appropriate social support. We provide you with the tools you need to improve your communication skills, manage your coping mechanisms and model personal accountability. This allows you to gradually gain healthy skills to manage your symptoms.
Our Intersect program is grounded in the following principles:
- Belief in the human capacity to change
- Belief that family and social support are the cornerstones of recovery
- Dedication to evidence-based treatments
- Dedication to trauma-informed care
Substance abuse treatment
Our treatment plan integrates medication evaluation and management and group therapy. Most medications used to treat psychiatric disorders — proven safe and effective for long-term use — are not addictive. Additionally, participating in Intersect groups can help provide structure and positive peer feedback. You will learn important information about drugs, alcohol and behavioral health, helping you develop adaptive coping skills to aid in long-term recovery.
Understanding a dual diagnosis
Addiction and mental health conditions often go hand-in-hand. For example, substances may be used to temporarily relieve painful emotional symptoms.
What is dual diagnosis
When someone has a mental illness along with a substance abuse issue, it is referred to as "dual diagnosis." Clinically speaking, this is different than "co-occurring disorders," in which a patient may have one or more of a variety of diseases not related to mental health, plus a substance abuse issue. However, you may sometimes see these terms used interchangeably.
Mental health and substance abuse
In 2018, more than nine million adults in the U.S. experienced both mental health and substance abuse issues. In part, many people use alcohol and drugs to deal with the symptoms of a psychiatric illness. This is often referred to as "self-medicating." Unfortunately, although the effects of alcohol or drugs can provide temporary relief from feelings such as anxiety and depression, they can ultimately have the opposite effect. When the bad feelings return, a cycle begins, leading to continued use and, often, addiction.
Related specialties
Learn more about our related specialties.