Why do we need a Dual Focus Program?
It has long been recognized that certain chemically dependent patients do not respond to standard substance abuse treatment. We now know that many of these so-called "treatment-resistant" patients are, in fact, suffering from two concurrent illnesses. Often these dually-diagnosed patients were treated either in mental health or addictions systems, or were shuttled back and forth between them. Frequently, this fragmented approach resulted in treatment failure. The Dual Focus Program at Gracie Square Hospital has been specifically designed to provide an integrated treatment program tailored to the needs of this special population. From detoxification to discharge planning, we address both the psychiatric and addiction components, offering a sensitive approach to unique and complex problems.

The following guidelines may be helpful when making a referral or seeking treatment:

Chemical Dependency

• Substance Abuse (alcohol, heroin, cocaine, crack, sedatives, sleeping pills, opoids, narcotics, psychostimulants, etc...)
• Recent abstinence complicated by difficulty coping with the stresses of early recovery

in combination with

Psychiatric Disorders

• Depression
• Bipolar disorder (manic, depressive or mixed)
• Anxiety, phobic and panic disorders
• Schizophrenia
• Mild organic mental disorders
• Personality disorders
• Self-destructive and/or psychotic behavior

The Dual Focus medical and clinical directors are available for consultation, evaluation and assessment.

Inpatient Services
The Inpatient Dual Focus unit is an acute care treatment program with most patients staying approximately ten days. The multidisciplinary treatment team develops a treatment plan for each patient that addresses both psychiatric and addiction diagnoses. Addiction-trained social workers work with patients to assess family difficulties and housing needs, so that patients are discharged to the most therapeutic environment possible.

The program offers a full range of substance abuse and psychiatric services that include:

• An individualized, comprehensive treatment plan based on a complete psychiatric evaluation
• Medical, neurological and psychological consultations
• Medically supervised detoxification
• Assessment and treatment of psychiatric symptoms
• Daily psychiatric consultation
• A complete education program, including the disease concept of addiction and the recovery process
• Daily community meetings
• Daily group therapy
• Therapeutic activities
• Nightly 12-step meetings, including a Dual Focus "Alumni" meeting, where patients and former patients of the program share experiences while focusing on abstinence and recovery
• 24-hour, seven-day-a-week on site coverage by an internist and a psychiatrist
• Full medical backup including X-rays, EKG, EEG, etc...
• Comprehensive discharge planning that addresses needs determined during treatment
• Weekend education groups for family members

Private doctors may admit and treat patients on the inpatient unit.