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Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Port St. Lucie, FL

What is Dual Diagnosis Treatment?

A dual diagnosis, also known as a co-occurring disorder, is a condition that arises when a person simultaneously suffers from a mental health condition and substance abuse problem. This can make a recovery more complex and requires a different approach to treatment.

An example of a dual diagnosis would be someone who has depression and abuses alcohol to cope or ‘self-medicate’. There are many reasons why people ‘self-medicate’ with drugs and alcohol, including trying to numb certain feelings and escape from the world.

A dual diagnosis helps to treat this behavior at its root cause. This approach targets both substance abuse and mental health conditions with specialized treatment to provide the best chances of recovery.

Mental Health and Addiction

There is a strong link between mental health and drug abuse. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that around one out of every four people with a serious mental illness also has a substance use disorder. The 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health additionally showed that 9.5 million people in the United States were diagnosed with a co-occurring disorder along with a substance abuse disorder.

Addiction can impact mental health and vice versa. As noted above, people with mental health issues may use substances to self-medicate and to cope. Similarly, substances such as drugs and alcohol can make symptoms associated with mental health conditions much worse. If you have a family history of mental health disorders, alcohol or drug abuse can increase the chances of triggering an underlying condition that you may not be aware of.

Mental health conditions that we treat at NP Addiction Clinic include:

Anxiety disorder
Depression
Schizophrenia
Bipolar disorder
Personality disorders
Trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Employing techniques such as behavioral therapies, during your time in our center, you’ll work with a specialist to alleviate the impact mental health disorders have and achieve a healthy, happy life, which will improve your wellbeing.

 

Substance abuse treatments that we offer include:

Alcohol detox
Opioid detox
Methadone detox

NP Addiction Clinic is fully licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families to provide detox treatment. We are also certified by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to provide opioid detox.

Detox can seem a difficult process, but worth it to start on your way to health and happiness. Once detox is complete, you’ll receive mental health treatment tailored to your specific needs. This dual diagnosis treatment goes a long way in starting your recovery journey.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Port St. Lucie

After being diagnosed with a co-occurring disorder, you’ll begin treatment. Before commencing mental health treatment, you must detox from alcohol or drugs first.

Treatment for substance abuse includes:

Detoxes to remove harmful substances from your body
Medication to manage withdrawal symptoms
Therapy to help you stay sober
Support groups

NP Addiction Clinic detoxes are medically supervised for the best chances of success. Medical detoxes are much safer than other types, and our treatment programs ensure that you are supported throughout the process.

Once the detox is complete, treatment for mental health disorders can begin. Treatment for your mental health may include:

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
Medication specifically for your mental health condition
Healthy lifestyle changes
Support groups to foster a sense of community

Finding the most appropriate treatment for a dual diagnosis is an integral part of beginning treatment. For this very reason, we offer a completely personalized approach to suit each person’s needs. An integrated treatment approach helps to target the root cause of drug abuse and mental health disorders and lower the chances of a relapse.

Benefits of Dual Diagnosis Inpatient Care

As a dual diagnosis can be a combination of many mental health conditions and substance use disorders, treatment centers are often the best places to seek help. Here, clients can receive specialized care and have a robust support system around them at all times.

Some of the benefits of inpatient care in the NP Addiction Clinic treatment center include:

A thorough assessment process to identify specific needs
Around the clock care and support
Access to support groups
Medically assisted detoxes
Bespoke treatment programs
Access to alumni services after treatment
Support when returning to the community

Immersion in a community setting filled with people also learning to live without alcohol or drugs

Dual diagnosis recovery is an incredibly personal process, which is why NP Addiction Clinic makes sure to support our clients with access to medication and therapy for their recovery process. Working with specialists for different conditions, our clients obtain supportive mental health treatment to solidify recovery for both addiction and mental health disorders.

If you require dual diagnosis treatment, it is vital to seek immediate help. In doing so, you’ll receive personalized, integrated treatment in a supportive, safe environment. NP Addiction Clinic prides itself on offering exemplary physical, mental, and emotional care to all clients.

Get Dual Diagnosis Treatment

The Neuro Psychiatric Addiction Clinic is committed to delivering the best dual diagnosis treatment in Port St. Lucie, FL available. We can help you or the one you love too, but you need to make the first move. Call us now at (888) 574-3506 or send us a message using this form. 

Samantha Kelly​

Director of National Business Development & Admissions Coordinator

I am a dedicated and passionate professional with extensive experience in business development Admissions and marketing. I have an incredible passion for showing others that there is a light at the end of this dark tunnel if someone truly wants it.
Being in recovery myself I understand the struggles of addiction and alcoholism. I Started this Career path in 2009. With multiple years of experience, I bring a multi-faceted approach and am always seeking new ways to make a difference in the lives of those I work with.

Kim L. Buckner

Facilitator

As a Substance Abuse Motivational Speaker, Pastor, Peer Advocate, and Facilitator. Kim helps clients avoid relapse by understanding their triggers. Those people, places and things that can cause craving, as well as internal triggers like feelings, thoughts, or emotions. Kim also clients with identifying and building healthy relationships now that they’re clean and sober.

Kim’s background includes extensive experience as a motivational speaker and work in faith-based organizations helping youth and adults alike. He says he is motivated by giving back to the community, understanding, and not judging who she comes into contact with. Kim’s favorite quote is by Dr. Raymond Johnson: “The respect given to others rebounds to the giver to deny the scared in the Other is to deny it in oneself.”

Caty Burns

Clinician

Caty graduated from Indiana University Bloomington in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and minors in Counseling and History. Throughout her undergrad, she worked at the local CASA program, supporting volunteers advocating for children who had experienced abuse and neglect. Caty worked for seven years at a community mental health center (CMHC), partnering with children, adults, and families.

During those seven years, she taught life and coping skills as well as behavior management, provided case management and peer recovery services, and facilitated treatment teams that included the client, family, providers, and community members. I have also worked at an IOP providing group therapy services. She is currently working towards my Master of Social Work.

In her free time, Caty enjoys reading, especially historical fiction, spending time outdoors and having movie nights with her family. Disney World is her happy place, and she dreams of living among the elephants.

Madison Knowles

Mental Health Therapist

My name is Madison Knowles, I am a Mental health therapist at NPAC. I am a single-mother of two and I have a daughter who is globally delayed and has been diagnosed with autism. I have been in this industry since I was 16 years old, as I was fascinated with human behavior. I obtained my masters in applied behavioral analysis and started off working with people with disabilities. I then found my love for counseling when I worked with juveniles who had mental health and substance use issues. I then decided to go back for my mental health therapy license after that and working in a forensic treatment center. I went on to obtain my therapy credentials and since 2017, I have also been working on my PhD in forensic psychology in which I am currently working on my dissertation. I am inspired by change and how resilient people can be. My favorite inspirational quote is “Some will, Some won’t, So what, NEXT!!!” This quote has inspired me to try, try, and try again no matter how hard life gets, someone will give you a chance eventually. As a therapist at NPAC, I have been given the opportunity to work with diverse populations such as in substance use and mental health and I am known for my work with people on the schizophrenic spectrum as well as with other clients with other severe conditions including personality disorders.

Megan Carmona, LMHC

Lead Therapist

Our Lead Therapist, Megan, is a bilingual Licensed Mental Health Counselor who specializes in working with adults who struggle with addiction, anxiety, depression, and trauma. As Lead Therapist, she provides individual, family, and group therapy sessions to our clients.  Megan says “I am very passionate about therapy, especially about supporting my clients in exploring their strengths and identity. My goal is to provide individuals with the tools that can help them achieve independence in coping with their challenges and facilitating personal development.” In her free time, Megan enjoys watching docu-series and playing video games with her family. Her dream is to own acres of land so she can care for vulnerable animals, especially old dogs, cats, and horses. 

Kristen Bensley

Primary Clinician

As Primary Clinician, Kristen works with all aspects of our clinical team, from case management to primary therapy.  She has broad experience working in the mental health field. Prior to joining our team at the Neuro Psychiatric Addiction Clinic, Kristen was part of the team awarded the Evernorth Behavioral Health Center of Excellence Designation by Cigna. She says her motivation is to help people rediscover who they are and become excited about the future and all the possibilities life offers. Kristen’s favorite quote is: “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”

Ronn Daigle, MSW

Therapist, Utilization Review Clinician

Ronn Daigle services as a Therapist and Utilization Review Clinician at the Neuro Psychiatric Addiction Clinic. He has been working in the field of substance use disorder treatment since 2011, with experience in all facility-based levels of care. Ronn earned, both an Associate of Arts in Psychology (2013) and Bachelor of Science in Human Services, with an Addiction Studies Concentration (2015) from Indian River State College. 

Ronn additionally earned a Master of Social Work degree in 2021 and is a current Registered Clinical Social Work Intern working toward licensure (LCSW). He describes himself as detail oriented, and solution focused.

Ronn says: “There is nothing more fulfilling than working with someone who doesn’t believe in himself or herself, and being there in the moment with them when the belief begins. We work with individuals who come to us at a point and time in their respective lives where they do not believe that change for others is possible; let alone for themselves…throughout the process they eventually come to a point where they realize that change is not only possible, but achievable.”

Erika Melecio, LMHC, MCAP, CEI

Assistant Clinical Director

Erika Melecio, LMHC, MCAP, CEI is the Assistant Clinical Director at Neuropsychiatric Addiction Clinic who specializes in the treatment of LGBTQ, addiction, as well as mental health disorders ranging from depression and anxiety, to Bipolar Disorder, trauma, personality disorders, psychotic disorders, and eating disorders. Erika utilizes a number of modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Mindfulness amongst others. Erika has been in practice for close to a decade and has earned her license in Mental Health Counseling, as well as being a Master’s Certified Addiction Professional. Erika has worked with many individuals including couples counseling and family therapy, and is fluent in Spanish.
 
Throughout my years of practice, one of the things I enjoy helping people find is inner peace. Whether you are in the deepest parts of depression, overrun by your anxiety, controlled by your addiction, or there are certain issues in your life that are negatively impacting your ability to function, and have a happy, healthy life, maybe now is the time to talk about it. I am a big believer in empowerment, working hard in therapy, and utilizing different techniques to help you regain that inner peace that may have been lost along the way. I want to work with you as a team because with two people, absolutely everything is possible. I want to be there as a therapist, to help build you up, support you, but also help you be honest with yourself and accountable. At the end of the day, when all is said and done, my biggest goal for you is going to be simple….for you to no longer need my services. Why? Because if you no longer need my services, it means that you have regained your peace, you have regained your strength, you have regained your confidence. It means that you now have the tools to address any issues that try to derail you, and best of all, you will have the insight to overcome and thrive. So let’s begin this journey together, and get you to the place you want to be, emotionally, mentally, psychologically, and in your sobriety.

Aurelio Ayuso, MSW, LCSW, CAP, ICADC

Clinical Director

Aurelio has worked with those that suffer from the disease of addiction in adults and juveniles alike for over 10 years, beginning in the United States Navy where he proudly served for 20 years, working with those that were succumbed by addiction due to trauma and continuing his passion for helping those in need locally in Central Florida.

He specializes in both Addictions and Trauma, he has worked first as a therapist then as the clinical supervisor to both the Juvenile and Adult Drug Court programs in Brevard County. Aurelio has been instrumental in developing substance abuse treatment programs directly tailored to help those that also suffer from complex trauma due to their addiction. He has been recognized by several organizations for his forward thinking and ability to tailor treatment to individuals in the most restrictive environments.

Mr. Ayuso received his Graduate Degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Central Florida in Orlando. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker as well as Certified Addictions Professional in the State of Florida, and Internationally Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor. Aurelio specializes in the treatment of Addiction, Trauma, and Abandonment using strength based strategies deeply rooted in Solution Focused, and Mindfulness Therapies. At the Neuropsychiatric Addiction Clinic he passionately develops holistic curriculums that foster the belief that through addressing the mind, body, and spirit together, the Disease of Addiction can be addressed successfully.

Robert Lehmann, MHSA

Chief Operating Officer

Bob Lehmann is the Chief Operating Officer at the Neuro Psychiatric Addiction Clinic. He has a Master’s Degree in Human Services Administration with a concentration in Mental Health Administration and over twenty-five years of experience as a senior executive at addiction and mental health treatment facilities.

One of the reasons for his commitment to excellence in addiction treatment was his experience related to family members who suffered from the disease of addiction. Bob has been actively involved in community organizations throughout his career. Recently he was one of the founders of the Florida Addiction Treatment Coalition (FATC) and is its present Vice President. FATC was designed to bring together treatment executives in Florida to advocate on behalf of treatment facilities and the clients they serve adhering to a foundation of integrity and service excellence.

Jose R. Toledo, M.D.

Medical Director

A well-rounded and accomplished individual, Jose R. Toledo, M.D., is the Medical Director of Neuro Psychiatric Addiction Clinic.

Dr. Toledo is a neurologist with 25 years of experience and has been in private practice since 1991 on the Treasure Coast of Florida. He completed his neurology training at the State University of New York and his Fellowship training at the University of Pittsburgh in Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology.

He also completed 24 months of acute inpatient psychiatry at the Western Missouri Mental Health Center, University of Missouri in Kansas City. In 2008, Dr. Toledo participated in and was certified in the continuing medical education activity entitled “Buprenorphine and Office-Based Treatment of Opioid Dependence” from The Medical University of South Carolina during which began his quest to found and head Neuropsychiatric Addiction Clinic.

Dr. Toledo is a brain specialist with particular competence in addiction medicine and out-patient detoxification treatment and integrates the fields seamlessly. He is certified to prescribe Buprenorphine (Suboxone). He incorporates his background in neurology into the addiction field. Dr. Toledo is member/fellow of The American Medical Association, The Florida Medical Association and The American Society of Addiction Medicine