Home » Chronic Relapse Program » Dual Diagnosis
Chronic Relapse Program

Dual Diagnosis

What is Dual Diagnosis?

Dual diagnosis is the condition of suffering from both a mental health disorder and an addiction to drugs and or alcohol.

At Burning Tree Ranch, we believe it is critical to address addiction and co-occurring disorders concurrently, during the same treatment episode. As a chronic relapse facility specializing in the treatment of underlying mental health conditions, our focus is to address every diagnostic variable that may have prevented an earlier recovery opportunity. Often, we discover a simple truth: previous treatment episodes lacked the necessary time, expertise, and ability to meaningfully address the relationship between addiction and mental health. As a result, relapse occurs.

37% of alcohol abusers and 53% of drug abusers also have at least one serious mental health disorder.
Source: https://www.helpguide.org/
Coupled with our comprehensive approach to addiction treatment, Burning Tree Ranch strives to deliver the most robust chronic relapse curriculum in the nation. Founded on the philosophy of “creating a life of excellence beyond sobriety’ Burning Tree Ranch prides itself on being the only long-term, progress-based residential treatment program in the country.
Mental health disorders often create a desire to self-medicate. Not surprisingly, self-medication behaviors are much more common in individuals who do not receive proper mental health treatment. While there are many different dual diagnosis scenarios, some of the most common mental disorders that have an addiction component are:
  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder
  • Eating Disorders
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Personality Disorders and Mood Disorders
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Any type of mental health disorder paired with an addiction may qualify as a dual diagnosis condition.
Jesse Earwood, Executive Director
Quote Icon
“We treat co-occurring disorders that have historically prevented our clients from maintaining permanent recovery in the past.”
~ Jesse Earwood, Executive Director of Burning Tree Ranch

Diagnosing Mental Health and Addiction (Dual Diagnosis)

For addiction treatment to be effective, all existing conditions must be diagnosed and treated. This can be problematic since persons suffering from addiction often neglect to see a mental health professional. Before any treatment program can be developed, a complete psychological examination must be conducted. A credentialed mental health professional will be able to identify and recommend:
  • Bipolar Disorder Treatment
  • Anxiety Disorder Treatment
  • ADHD Treatment
  • Inpatient Depression Treatment
  • Personality Disorder Treatment
  • Trauma & PTSD Treatment
  • Inpatient EMDR Treatment
Successful recovery from a dual diagnosis condition requires a more specific type of treatment than someone who is dealing with addiction only. Since 1999, Burning Tree Ranch has been at the forefront of treating dual diagnosis clients affected by repeating cycles of relapse.

How is Burning Tree Ranch Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center Different?

As our website suggests, Burning Tree takes an integrated treatment approach to addressing the dual diagnosis needs of each client. Rather than focusing on the sequential treatment of chemical dependency and mental disorders, we address the entire person and all their needs in one setting, during one treatment episode. Our team members understand the concept of chemical dependency as a primary disease, while recognizing that untreated psychiatric disorders are a contributing factor to relapse.
Another strategic element in the treatment of those with dual diagnoses is our combination of traditional forms of treatment with other philosophical and experiential therapies. This combination of treatment methods allows us to recognize and confront problematic behaviors that show up in the loved one’s everyday life. Think of it this way: It’s like they have been asleep – dreaming that they were awake. We wake them up to their powerlessness over alcohol and drugs, and direct them toward recognizing the reasons for their prior relapses. In this way we help our clients make the connection between everyday behavior and relapse, while teaching them how to effectively manage their mental health within the context of sobriety.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment is highly effective at reducing relapse

At Burning Tree Ranch, we have the time, skillset, and setting to comprehensively address the whole person. We utilize the following methods to address the needs of every dual diagnosis client:
  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • EMDR Therapy
  • Equine Therapy
  • Neurofeedback Therapy
  • Addiction Psychiatry
  • Group Therapy
  • Individual Therapy
  • Gestalt Therapy
  • Experiential Therapy
  • Interpersonal Psychotherapy
  • Existential Therapy

Do you love someone suffering both a mental health disorder and substance abuse (DUAL DIAGNOSIS)?

You are not alone. Dual diagnosis is a common problem affecting millions of people every year. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for dual diagnosis is critical to success. The earlier it’s diagnosed, and treated, the better your chances of recovery. If this sounds like something you or someone you love has experienced, we want to help. Our goal is simple – we want everyone who struggles with a dual diagnosis condition to receive the care they need as quickly as possible. Call our admissions team to learn more about our dual diagnosis treatment program.

Our Chronic relapse therapies

Burning Tree Ranch utilizes
addiction medicine to aid in the diagnosis, treatment and recovery of persons with the disease of addiction.

A form of goal-oriented therapy that helps our clients understand how their thoughts affect their actions, leading to healthier thinking patterns and behaviors.

An evidence-based psychotherapy approach that helps our clients better manage stress, regulate emotions, and improve relationships with others.

An interactive psychotherapy
technique that helps our clients reduce the emotional distress caused by the unresolved pain associated with trauma.

An experiential therapy that imparts physical, cognitive, and emotional benefit to our clients as they engage the important work of establishing lifelong recovery.

A form of positive psychotherapy that helps our clients clarify their values and connect with their authentic selves, leading to a greater sense of self-worth and empowerment.

A humanistic form of psychotherapy that helps our clients concentrate on the present moment, and engage the
opportunity to they have increase
personal freedom and fulfillment.

Facilitated by a licensed clinician, group therapy helps our clients develop improved communication skills, boundaries, and self-awareness in a therapeutic setting.

We take into account the whole
person, not just the addiction. Our holistic approach enables our clients to discovery well-being for the mind, body, and spirit.

The goal of individual therapy is to motivate the client to explore certain behaviors that may interfere with, delay, or sabotage the opportunity to achieve permanent, lifelong recovery.

A form of psychotherapy that helps our clients re-build relationships with loved ones, and establish new relationships with a healthy support group of peers.

Neurofeedback Therapy is a noninvasive treatment designed to instruct patients as to how to control brainwave activity in order to change behaviors.

The Twelve Steps teach our clients how to live by a set of spiritual principles that are taught in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous.

KRISTINA ROBERTSON, LMSW, LCDC

KRISTINA ROBERTSON

LMSW, LCDC | Counselor
Kristina Robertson serves as Counselor at Burning Tree Ranch. Holding both a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Social Work, Kristina’s greatest joy is “watching our clients learn to love themselves again.” An avid equestrian, mother to twenty-one horses, and all-around animal lover, Kristina serves as a bright shining example of long-term recovery in action. Her commitment to whole person health: mental, physical, emotional and spiritual makes her an invaluable member of the Burning Tree Ranch clinical team. As a distinguished Phi Theta Kappa and Alpha Zeta member, Kristina believes deeply in each client’s pursuit of becoming their best selves.

"who is a burning tree client?"

Beth Legacki, Burning Tree Ranch Alumni