At White Lotus Landing, we provide a nurturing and supportive environment for women who are suffering from substance use disorders. Our women’s recovery services and programs include residential treatment, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and therapeutic approaches, such as individual therapy, group counseling, family therapy, and more.
Our mission is to offer a compassionate refuge for women battling substance use disorders. We understand the unique struggles and complexities that women face in their journey toward recovery, which is why our addiction treatment center is tailored specifically to meet their needs.
Common mental health disorders that may co-occur with substance use disorders include anxiety, depression, trauma-related disorders, bipolar disorder, and others. Recognizing and addressing both aspects of dual diagnosis is essential for achieving sustained recovery and improving overall well-being.
What Do We Treat in Dual Diagnosis?
This includes generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and phobias.
Individuals may suffer from major depressive disorder (MDD), persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia), and seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
This category includes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), complex PTSD, and other trauma-related conditions resulting from past experiences of abuse, violence, or traumatic events.
This is characterized by alternating periods of depression and mania or hypomania.
These mental conditions often coexist with addiction, which may lead to the following substance use disorders:
Alcohol use disorder, characterized by excessive alcohol consumption despite negative consequences, often co-occurs with depression, leading to a vicious cycle of drinking to cope with emotional pain and worsening depressive symptoms.
Misuse of prescription drugs, such as benzodiazepines or opioids, can coincide with anxiety disorders. Individuals may use these medications to alleviate anxiety symptoms temporarily, but ultimately exacerbate anxiety and dependence over time.
Heroin addiction frequently co-occurs with trauma-related disorders, as individuals may turn to heroin as a way to self-medicate symptoms of trauma, such as flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance. This may result in a complex cycle of addiction and psychological distress.
Cocaine abuse can coincide with bipolar disorder, as individuals may use cocaine during manic episodes to amplify feelings of euphoria and energy, but experience depressive crashes afterward. This can exacerbate mood swings and instability.
Methamphetamine dependence often co-occurs with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as individuals may use methamphetamine to numb painful memories and hypervigilance associated with trauma, leading to heightened arousal and worsening PTSD symptoms.
Opioid addiction may co-occur with mood disorders such as depression or bipolar disorder. Individuals may use opioids to self-medicate mood symptoms, but ultimately experience an exacerbation of mood swings, withdrawal symptoms, and impaired functioning.
What is the Treatment Approach for
Dual Diagnosis?
Our team of medical professionals conducts thorough assessments to determine the need for psychiatric medications to manage symptoms of mental health disorders.
Women receive one-on-one counseling sessions with experienced therapists to explore underlying issues, develop coping skills, and address behavioral patterns associated with addiction and mental illness.
Peer support is a crucial component of dual diagnosis treatment. Group therapy sessions provide a safe and supportive environment for women to share experiences, gain insights, and learn from one another under the guidance of trained facilitators.
We utilize evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Trauma-Informed Therapy to address the unique needs of women with dual diagnosis.
Education about addiction, mental health disorders, coping strategies, and relapse prevention techniques empower women to better understand their conditions and take an active role in their recovery journey.
In addition to traditional therapeutic interventions, we offer holistic wellness practices such as mindfulness education, yoga, art therapy, and recreational activities to promote overall wellness and self-expression.
As women progress through treatment, our team collaborates with them to develop personalized aftercare plans that may include outpatient therapy, support groups, sober living arrangements, and ongoing monitoring to maintain long-term sobriety and mental health stability.
Why Does Dual Diagnosis Occur?
Genetic factors play a significant role in the development of both substance use disorders and mental health disorders. Individuals with a family history of addiction or mental illness may have a higher risk of experiencing co-occurring disorders due to inherited vulnerabilities.
Imbalances in neurotransmitters, brain chemistry, and hormonal systems can contribute to the onset of both substance use disorders and mental health disorders. For example, abnormalities in dopamine, serotonin, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels may predispose individuals to addiction and mood disorders.
Exposure to environmental stressors, trauma, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and chronic stress can increase the likelihood of developing co-occurring disorders. Traumatic events such as abuse, neglect, violence, or natural disasters can trigger substance use as a coping mechanism and contribute to the development of mental health issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression.
Psychological factors such as low self-esteem, negative self-image, unresolved trauma, maladaptive coping mechanisms, and personality traits (e.g., impulsivity, sensation-seeking) can predispose individuals to both substance use disorders and mental health disorders. Substance abuse may temporarily alleviate symptoms of mental illness. This may lead to a cycle of self-medication and worsening of underlying conditions.
Social problems like not having enough money, not having a job, or not having a place to live can make it more likely for people to have both substance use and mental health problems. Social isolation, stigma, and discrimination related to addiction and mental illness can further exacerbate symptoms and barriers to treatment.
Developmental stages and transitions, such as adolescence, young adulthood, pregnancy, and menopause, can increase vulnerability to substance use disorders and mental health disorders. Hormonal changes, identity formation, peer pressure, and life transitions can also impact emotional regulation. These factors increase the risk of developing co-occurring disorders, such as anxiety and alcoholism.
Call White Lotus Landing for Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Dr. Liebermann has been practicing Addiction Medicine since 2006, initially as a rural Family and Emergency Room Physician in Maine. He has served as Medical Director at several treatment facilities, working in various levels of addiction care, including inpatient withdrawal management and residential care. A Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine and a member of the American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine, he advocates for Medication Assisted Treatment. Dr. Liebermann graduated from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed a residency and fellowship at Eastern Maine Medical Center.
