Detox can be an emotionally turbulent time, especially for those with dual diagnosis. To support your mental well-being, counseling is a core component of our detox services. Our counselors and therapists are not only addiction specialists but also trained in basic mental health interventions and crisis management. Here’s what you can expect:

• One-on-One Counseling: Each client is assigned a detox counselor who can meet with you individually. In these private sessions, you have the space to talk about how you’re feeling emotionally. For dual diagnosis clients, this is a lifeline – you might discuss the depression that’s resurfacing now that you’re sober, or fears you have because of past trauma. Your counselor will provide empathy and teach you grounding techniques to manage anxiety or mood swings in the moment. They also educate you on the connection between your addiction and mental health – many people find it enlightening to understand how, say, their alcohol use exacerbated their anxiety and vice versa. This understanding is a powerful motivator to continue treating both issues.

• Coping Skills Development: Even within the short span of detox (typically a few days to a week), we begin equipping you with coping strategies. For example, if you struggle with panic attacks, our team might guide you through breathing exercises or mindfulness meditation during detox. If depression is an issue, simply establishing a daily routine (meals, light exercise, short outdoor breaks for sunshine) can have mood-lifting effects, so we encourage those practices. We realize detox is just the start, but every skill you learn here can be carried into rehab or outpatient therapy later. Laying this groundwork early gives you a head start on managing your mental health in sobriety.

• Group Support: Where appropriate, you may participate in small group sessions or discussions with peers, focusing on topics like dealing with emotions in early recovery. Hearing from others who also have depression or PTSD can be validating – you realize you’re not the only one feeling this way. Our staff facilitates these groups to ensure they are constructive and supportive. Clients often mention that these conversations reduce the shame or isolation they feel about their mental health. It’s a gentle introduction to the concept that recovery involves a community and shared understanding.

• Family Communication: With dual diagnosis, family support and understanding can be crucial. With your consent, our counselors can include your family in updates or brief counseling sessions, even during detox. We might explain to a spouse, for instance, why you seem more anxious or irritable during withdrawal and how they can help you cope. Educating loved ones that your mental health symptoms are part of the healing process can foster patience and support, rather than frustration. Since addiction is a family disease, involving them now sets the stage for more comprehensive family therapy later in treatment.