Deerfield Dual Diagnosis Program

The Deerfield Dual Diagnosis program provides short term, intensive, non-hospital residential treatment, and is a collaboration of three Erie-based providers – Deerfield Behavioral Health Network, Millcreek Community Hospital and Stairways Behavioral Health.

Designed to provide highly structured and supportive treatment for the co-occurring problems, the program is structured to provide up to 21 days of residential treatment on a voluntary basis.

An Integrated Model of Treatment

The Dual Diagnosis Program model is based on the co-occurring relationship between substance abuse and mental health disorders, and their combined impact on functioning.

The model is recovery-based and contains the following components and/or goals:

Education - about both disorders and how denial or minimization of one will trigger a relapse in the other.
Medication - the role and value of prescribed medications.
Support of Others - family and significant other involvement and provision of information as is appropriate. Relapse prevention planning and skill development.
Self-Help - the value of self-help groups and 12-step programs.
Continuing Care - the need for continued involvement and participation in recommended activities and follow-up appointments.

Continuing Care and Follow-up

An effective continuing care plan begins at the time of admission. Because the program is short term and focuses on the client’s stabilization and acceptance, referrals to appropriate community providers are crucial to support the recovery process after discharge.

Referrals are based on the identified needs and may include:

longer term treatment
temporary or long-term housing
partial day programming or outpatient counseling
case management

A weekly follow-up program is held on the unit to provide support for individuals who are new to their recovery. These meetings allow individuals to discuss recovery issues in a supportive environment and help to maintain an important link with the program.

Eligibility

Individuals who would receive the greatest benefit from the Deerfield Dual Diagnosis Program are those who:

Have met the criteria established in the DSM IV for both a mental illness and a substance use disorder.
Have a diagnosis of a substance use disorder and exhibit symptoms of a mental health condition during the post-withdrawal period. Psychiatric evaluation and follow-up is provided to all admissions while they are in the program.

Because the program is engagement orientated and requires active groups and individual sessions, individuals with acute symptoms of a mental health disorder would not be appropriate for this program.

Professional Staffing

The Deerfield staff is a mix of professionals with experience and training in delivering services to the dual diagnosed individual. Treatment is under the direction of a psychiatrist and provided by a mental health professional. Staffing includes registered nurses and technicians.

Download The Deerfield Dual Diagnosis Program Brochure »

Contact Information and Location Map

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Deerfield Dual Diagnosis
Jack Stevenson 814.878.2100
E-mail: jstevenson@StairwaysBH.org

2610 German Street
Erie, PA 16504
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