Dual Diagnosis Care in San Diego
Written by: Michelle Beaupre, PhD, LCSW | Reviewed by: Christian Small, MD
When substance use and mental health are connected
Substance use and mental health often affect each other. Stress, anxiety, low mood or the lasting effects of difficult experiences can drive drinking or drug use, and substance use can make those same concerns harder to manage.
At Villa Oasis, co-occurring concerns are part of the plan from the first day. Every resident is assessed at admission, and our medical and clinical team addresses substance use together with the mental health concerns that accompany it, with a focus on stabilization, practical coping skills and a clear plan for continued care.
How we address both together
Treating substance use in isolation can leave the concerns that drive it in place. Our approach brings medical care, therapy and discharge planning together around the whole person.
Assessment
At admission, a medical provider and our clinical team review substance use, physical health, current medications and any mental health concerns. What we learn shapes your individualized plan.
Stabilization
When needed, care begins with medically supervised detox under around-the-clock licensed staff. Our medical providers manage medications when clinically appropriate.
Learn moreIntegrated therapy
Individual and group sessions address substance use and the concerns behind it at the same time, building practical skills for managing stress, mood and difficult emotions.
Continued care
Before discharge, our case manager arranges ongoing support close to home, which can include a therapist, psychiatric follow-up, outpatient programs and support groups.
Therapies that address both
Your clinical team selects and combines established approaches based on your assessment, and adjusts them as you progress.
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Helps residents recognize the thoughts and patterns that link mood and substance use, and practice healthier ways of responding.
Learn moreDialectical behavior therapy
Builds skills for tolerating distress, regulating intense emotions and staying present without turning to substances.
Learn moreTrauma-informed care
Care that recognizes the lasting effects of trauma and is delivered in a way that feels safe, respectful and predictable.
Learn moreMotivational interviewing
A collaborative conversation style that helps residents explore their own reasons for change and strengthen their commitment to it.
Mindfulness and meditation
Practices that help residents notice stress and cravings early and respond with steadiness rather than impulse.
Learn moreFamily systems therapy
Helps families understand how substance use and mental health have affected the household, and how to support recovery at home.
Learn moreIs Villa Oasis the right fit?
Villa Oasis is a licensed residential substance use disorder treatment program. We want every person who comes to us to be in the setting that serves them best, so we are clear about who our program is designed for.
Our program is designed for adults who
- Are seeking help primarily for alcohol or drug use
- Also experience stress, anxiety, low mood or the effects of difficult experiences
- Are medically and psychiatrically stable enough for a residential setting, with detox as needed
- Want a private, small-group environment and a clear plan for after discharge
When another setting may be better
If mental health needs are the primary concern, or call for a psychiatric hospital or a dedicated mental health program, our admissions team will tell you so plainly and help you find an appropriate setting. Every inquiry is reviewed with care, and there is no obligation.
Medical and clinical care, working as one team
Our medical and clinical staff work from a shared plan for each resident, so that physical health, substance use and emotional wellbeing are considered together rather than separately.
- Medical providersUnder the direction of our Medical Director, Christian Small, MD, our medical providers evaluate each resident, oversee detox, manage medications when clinically appropriate and attend to physical health throughout the stay.
- Licensed cliniciansOur therapists lead individual, group and family sessions using approaches such as CBT and DBT to build coping skills and address the concerns that accompany substance use.
- Addiction counselorsCounselors work closely with residents to identify triggers, develop relapse prevention strategies and provide steady day-to-day support.
- Case managementOur case manager coordinates continued care, including mental health follow-up, so the plan you leave with is already in motion.
A calm place to stabilize
Recovery from co-occurring concerns benefits from quiet, structure and room to think. Villa Oasis is a private, gated estate in Rancho Santa Fe that cares for six or fewer residents at a time, so each person receives close attention in a home rather than an institution.
- Private and shared rooms with en suite baths
- Chef-prepared meals
- Meditation gardens and waterfalls
- Yoga and massage therapy
- Pool, spa and sauna
- Weekly supervised outings
Dual diagnosis questions families ask
What is dual diagnosis?
Dual diagnosis, also called co-occurring disorders, describes a person who has both a substance use disorder and a mental health condition at the same time. Because each can affect the other, care tends to be most effective when both are considered together. According to SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health, millions of American adults live with both each year.
How do I know whether Villa Oasis is the right level of care?
A conversation with our admissions team is the best first step. We ask about substance use, physical health and any mental health concerns, and every resident is assessed again at admission. If a different setting would serve you better, we will tell you and help you find one.
How are current medications handled?
Our medical providers, working under our Medical Director, review your current medications at admission and manage them during your stay when clinically appropriate. It helps to bring a list of current prescriptions and the names of your prescribing providers.
How long is the program?
Most residents stay about 28 days, beginning with medically supervised detox when needed. The length of each phase is determined by your medical and clinical team based on your needs.
Will my insurance cover care?
Many PPO plans include benefits for residential substance use treatment. Coverage varies by plan, and our admissions team verifies your benefits at no cost before you make any decision.
What support is available after discharge?
Before you leave, our case manager arranges continued care close to home. Depending on your needs, that can include a therapist, psychiatric follow-up, outpatient programs and support groups, and we can help coordinate tours of aftercare programs.
Can my family be involved?
Yes. Couples and family counseling is available during treatment, and families are welcome on visiting day, usually Saturday.
Explore our programs
Medical detox
Medically supervised withdrawal management with around-the-clock licensed staff.
Learn moreResidential treatment
Structured residential care on a private estate, with six or fewer residents at a time.
Learn moreMedication-assisted treatment
Medications used alongside therapy when clinically appropriate, managed by our medical providers.
Learn moreWhat Our Residents Say
Start with a confidential conversation
Our admissions team can answer your questions, talk through whether our program is the right fit, verify your insurance benefits at no cost and help you plan the next step.
Licensed by the California Department of Health Care Services. Accredited by The Joint Commission.