The Breakthrough Addiction Recovery Approach to Cross Addiction Treatment

Cross addiction occurs when a person who is addicted to one drug becomes addicted to another because they believe it is their "safe drug".  Once a person becomes addicted to alcohol or any other psychoactive drug they can never again use any other psychoactive substance.  Cross addiction is very common and treatable. Many cross addicted patients have developed their dependencies in an effort to deal with their primary addiction.  Some of the more common cross addictions that are developed from dealing with a primary addiction are;

• Alcoholic individuals using benzodiazepines to function normally when they are in situations where alcohol use would be inappropriate or unacceptable.
• Cocaine addicted individuals using benzodiazepines or alcohol to help reduce the symptoms of cocaine withdrawal when cocaine is not obtainable or use in not practical.
• Opiate addicted individuals using benzodiazepines or alcohol to help reduce the cravings associated with opiate withdrawal.

For these patients, cross addiction is a direct result of “self-medicating” to mask or avoid the withdrawal symptoms developed from their primary addiction.

We do not have a rigid or predetermined treatment plan.  We evaluate each individual and determine what cross addictions might be involved as well as assessing the severity of their drug addiction or alcoholism.  A personalized addiction treatment plan is then developed for the individual that addresses their specific needs.  During our initial assessment, we include a psycho-social evaluation.

After determining the client’s individual needs during the initial assessment, a personalized and unique addiction treatment plan is developed with the input of the client.  The treatment plan may include a referral for a medically supervised detox, psychiatric evaluation and treatment referral, cognitive behavioral therapy, individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, extensive education on the pharmacology and physiology of addiction and extensive relapse prevention and aftercare planning.  We also provide referrals for nutritional guidance that helps the client address any deficiencies of essential nutrients.

People dealing with multiple chemical dependencies do not have to reach the extreme late stages of dependency to decide to get help. We aggressively treat cross addictions and help people resume sober, productive and healthy lives.

Call us now for more information on non-12 step treatment for cross addiction
770-933-6846