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The Dual Diagnosis Unit (DDU)
What Is a Dual Diagnosis Unit?
The DDU, while holding onto the belief that addiction is a disease in and of itself, also understands that the abuse of substances is associated with psychiatric diagnoses such as depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. Addiction can also be related to unresolved issues from the past, current social circumstances and personality. Within a dual-diagnosis program, we take all these and other factors into account in determining an individual treatment program.
The DDU fills the gap experienced by those who seek comprehensive, clinical addiction recovery programs.
We offer integrated, dual-diagnosis treatment programs in a comfortable therapeutic environment. Our treatment philosophy is influenced by the 12-Step (Minnesota) model, current international psychiatric research and classical and modern psychological approaches.
Our Primary Care program is a 3 week inpatient program aimed at dealing with the individual who is struggling with addictive behaviours around alcohol, pills, street drugs, sex or gambling. We offer a secure setting staffed 24 hours a day with registered psychiatric nursing staff. We are equipped to deal with the physical, psychiatric and emotional needs of individuals entering treatment. We have developed an integrated model that uses medical, psychological, and 12 Step approaches. ‘12 Step’ refers to specific steps of treatment formulated within Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, an international self-help program for recovering addicts. Our model is particularly sensitive to the needs of those addicts who have co-occurring psychiatric problems such as bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorders. We offer a team approach which includes a psychiatrist, a medical doctor, one or more psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, addiction 12 Step counselors.
Medical Supervision
All our patients can expect to be examined by a medical doctor soon after admission. The Psychiatrist supervises every one of our patients' medications, including a detox process that attempts to minimize medical risks and psychological discomfort.
Programs Overview
Our programs all include individual and group therapy, and when appropriate family and couple counseling. We also offer community support programs (Tough Love, CoDA, AA, NA, CA), and family support meetings.
The Team
Peta - lyn Foot - Occupational Therapist & DDU Manager
Peta-lyn graduated from the University of Witwatersrand in 1997. After graduating she worked at Sterkfontein Hospital for 2 years. She then worked at Tara Hospital for 6 ½ years when she managed the Occupational Therapy Department. Over the years, she has gained experience in all aspects of Psychiatry and has developed a specific interest in dual diagnosis and personality disorders.
In 2006, she left Tara Hospital to set up her private practice in General Psychiatry and Addictions. She also assists the University of the Witwatersrand with student supervision.
Sharon Rosen - Senior Social Worker
Sharon completed her Social Work degree through UNISA in 1991. Her internship took place at SANCA and Phoenix House (both addiction centres). After completing her thesis in self harm she has received her psychology Research Masters Degree at the Rand Afrikaans University in 1994. She completed her psychometric Internship at the Johannesburg General Hospital in 1997. Sharon has worked in various welfare organisations, concentrating on addiction. She has run workshops for social work students at UNISA and has lectured in psychology and social work subjects at Midrand Campus. Sharon has been working at Crescent Clinic since November 2004.
Dax Butler - Addictions Counsellor
Dax has worked in various Primary and Secondary addiction facilities for the past 9 years. He has been in recovery himself for over 10 years. During this period, he has completed a number of counseling courses and has a wide range of experience in 12 – Step recovery work.
Sarah Lamont - Occupational Therapist
Sarah graduated in 1998 from the University of the Witwatersrand. After a year working as an OT in London she returned to South Africa after discovering her interest in Psychiatry and Dual Diagnosis. She worked at Sterkfontein Psychiatric Hospital for 6 years gaining experience in Adolescent, General and Forensic psychiatry.
During this period she completed her Advanced Diploma in OT (Psychiatry) through Wits and is currently completing her Masters in Dual Diagnosis. In June 2005 she left Sterkfontein to set up her private practice at Crescent Clinic working in both the General and the CDU units.
Dr Louise Chalmers – Clinic based General Practitioner
Louise specialises in family medicine and has a practice at Crescent Clinic. Dr Chalmers oversees the general well - being of all our patients, with particular interests in Eating Disorders and Dual Diagnosis.
Dr Joel Shapiro – Clinical Psychologist
Dr Dale Bricker – Clinical Psychologist
Liane Lurie – Clinical Psychologist
Liane is a registered Clinical Psychologist in private practice. Her academic training at Wits University and UNISA has provided her with diverse perspectives on psychotherapeutic interventions and insights into the nature of psychological struggles. She obtained her Master’s degree from UNISA where she was trained in family systems and ecosystemic therapy, which she has applied to her work in both psychiatric and community psychology contexts.
She worked at Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital where she gained experience working with adolescents. She completed both her internship and community service at Sterkfontein Psychiatric Hospital where she worked with adult acute psychiatric patients. She later became the primary psychologist at the Independent Living Unit- a programme aimed at facilitating the reintegration of patients into their communities. Liane’s areas of interest include depression, anxiety, trauma, loss, personality disorders and eating disorders. She works with adolescents, adults and families across a broad range of psychological issues. She believes it is important to both understand the context in which an individual’s difficulties have arisen, but also to empower them with skills to generate more effective life choices. She joined Crescent Clinic as a therapist on both the general and young adolescent programmes.
Pakiso Mohapi – Occupational Therapist Assistant ( OTA)
Pakiso is an Occupational Therapy Assistant who joined us in 2007 from Baragwaneth Hospital. Pakiso spent many years in the public sector, gaining invaluable experience from his work at TARA and Bara. Pakiso ensures that every patient at Crescent Clinic complies with their occupational therapy plan while also looking after the art therapy room and supervising homework and outings on the Young Adults Program.
Email: admissions@crescentclinic.co.za
Phone: +27 11 792 9400 (ext 416)
Fax: +27 11 792 8755
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