Nearly 8 million adults living in the United States are dealing with co-occurring disorders of mental illness and substance use disorder. For people who have been diagnosed with a mental health issue and addiction, comprehensive treatment that addresses both conditions at the same time is essential to establishing a life in recovery, but finding a program that understands the complexities of treating co-occurring disorders can be hard.
“We have to give more time to people with dual diagnosis, and monitor them even more closely than we would a so-called normal client,” says Benjamin Kaneaiakala III, the CEO of Phoenix Rising, a treatment center in Aliso Viejo, California.
Phoenix Rising takes a unique approach to treating co-occurring disorders. Kaneaiakala, who has been sober for 26 years himself, helps clients connect with 12-step programs to address their substance use disorder. His wife, Dr. Alia Kaneaiakala, the chief clinical officer of Phoenix Rising uses an attachment approach to address the underlying mental health issue.
“She has the psychological and medical approach, whereas I have experience with recovery and the 12 steps,” Kaneaiakala says. “We’ve blended the two approaches together pretty well.”
Both of the Kaneaiakalas know that sometimes the recovery process needs to move more slowly for people with a dual diagnosis. Instead of pushing people to take steps like securing a job, the clinicians at Phoenix Rising work with patients to develop a plan that advances their lives in sobriety without triggering their mental health issues.
“These patients tend to stay with us longer,” Kaneaiakala says. “We don’t push as hard with things like work and school. We give them a little more attention and try to take our time and not overwhelm them with life.”
When someone with a dual diagnosis comes to Phoenix Rising they are immediately sent for a psychological evaluation and also meet with an addiction specialist. The team works together to develop a treatment plan with medication that addresses the symptoms of mental illness without putting the patient at additional risk for substance misuse.
“We’re always watching very closely on the medication management side,” Kaneaiakala says.
The team also evaluates each patient to see what additional resources will best serve the patient’s needs.
“Depending on the problem the client is coming in with, we increase therapy for those struggling with more issues,” Kaneaiakala says.
The staff at Phoenix Rising aims to create a safe environment for people with mental illness and addiction so that they can allow themselves to be vulnerable enough in order to heal. Dr. Alia Kaneaiakala’s practice is rooted in attachment theory, so creating a safe place to forge bonds is extremely important.
“Safety is a huge thing for clients to be successful,” Kaneaiakala says. “That is one of the foundational principles of what we do.”
Feeling safe allowed Sasha, a former heroin and meth user, to transform her life. She moved from injecting drugs to having two jobs and a full-time school schedule while completing the intensive outpatient program.
“The last thing you feel like is a number here,” she says. “When I first got hired at Starbucks they came just to say they were proud. Phoenix Rising is a safe place to start loving yourself.”
Kaneaiakala aims to build a family feel at Phoenix Rising, and just like family he is willing to step up support when it is needed. He says that he had covered treatment for patients who need more intensive care than what their insurance is willing to cover.
“I tell them if you’re willing to do your part I’m willing to do my part in supporting you.”
That support makes success stories like Sasha’s possible.
Phoenix Rising provides behavior health care services in southern California. Find out more at https://phoenixrisingbehavioral.com/ and follow them on Facebook and Twitter
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