Schizoaffective Disorder Treatment Center in South Dakota

Learn more about schizoaffective disorder recovery at Keystone Treatment Center in South Dakota

Schizoaffective disorder is a combination of schizophrenia-like symptoms and mood difficulties. People with schizoaffective disorder often experience hallucinations, such as hearing voices, as well as delusions, such as believing that one is being hunted or controlled by another entity. In addition, they experience mood-related difficulties like depression or bipolar disorder symptoms. These symptoms make life difficult for people with schizoaffective disorder as well as their loved ones. Sometimes, as an attempt to cope, people with schizoaffective disorder turn to substances such as alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, or meth. While using these substances may provide some short-term relief, they tend to harm much more than they help. In fact, the use and abuse of substances can make the symptoms of schizoaffective disorder more severe.

At Keystone Treatment Center, we understand how pervasive and powerful schizoaffective symptoms can be and how substance abuse can make things worse. Because of this, we have developed comprehensive, individualized programming that makes us a great place for a new beginning.

Helping a loved one or family member get treatment for schizoaffective disorder

Watching a loved one struggle with schizoaffective disorder is a painful experience, but watching a loved one struggle with schizoaffective disorder and substance abuse can be unbearable. Standing by as your loved one cycles through mood symptoms, hallucinations, and delusions can be exhausting and discouraging. Add substance abuse to the mix, and things may begin to feel overwhelming. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to help your loved one. Consider trying the following:

• Prepare yourself. Schizoaffective disorder is relatively rare and not well understood, so make sure to read and ask knowledgeable people about it. Spend time reading about the unique challenges of co-occurring substance use disorder(s) and schizoaffective disorder.
• Support your loved one. While it will no doubt be difficult to support him or her, you are your loved one’s best ally. Research on mental health and recovery has found that social support is a powerful asset in a person’s recovery.
• Help your loved one with logistical issues. Set up appointments and offer to attend treatment meetings with him or her.
• Research treatment options that meet your loved one’s unique treatment needs.
• Have open conversations with your loved one. Inform him or her that you know about his or her struggle with substances. Listen to your loved one’s concerns and reinforce that you want to help him or her.

Above all, walk alongside your loved one as much as you are able. Your loved one is taking a courageous step by seeking treatment, so affirm his or her courage.

Why consider treatment for schizoaffective disorder

When people are suffering from both schizoaffective disorder and a substance use disorder and do not receive treatment, serious and even fatal consequences may result. They may experience strain on their relationships or withdraw from these relationships altogether. Their performance at school or work may suffer, perhaps even resulting in job loss or expulsion from school. Poverty and chronic unemployment are also risks. They may also contract an infection, such as HIV, from sharing needles or engaging in risky sexual behavior. Depending on their drug of choice, they may suffer from cardiovascular damage, organ damage, weakened immune systems, seizures, or even death. Fortunately, treatment is available that can reduce the risk of these negative consequences.

Types of treatment and therapy options for schizoaffective disorder at Keystone Treatment Center

Keystone Treatment Center, in South Dakota, is a nationally recognized substance abuse, compulsive gambling, and mental health treatment center that offers inpatient and outpatient treatment for adults. Our inpatient center is located on 13 acres of semi-rural land, providing a peaceful retreat for healing. The residential treatment programs at our center are separated by gender, allowing each of our patients a uniquely tailored treatment experience. Part of this experience also includes specialized tracks. Men and women can partake in our Gambling, Christian, Young Adult, Chronic Pain, Native American, Methamphetamine Corrections, or Opioids tracks. Depending on each patient’s needs, one or a combination of the aforementioned tracks can be incorporated into his or her customized treatment plan.

Perhaps the most important facet of our programming is our staff. We take a multidisciplinary approach, including physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, addictionologists, nurses, therapists, counselors, dietitians, technicians, pastors, and cultural advisors to surround patients with a caring, attentive staff. Depending on individual needs, we provide our patients with the following types of treatment:

Medically monitored detoxification: If an individual comes to our center with drugs or alcohol in his or her body, we provide medically monitored detoxification services within our inpatient programming so that he or she can then fully participate in treatment. Our detoxification services include 24/7 nursing care with physicians available to monitor the progress of patients.

Medication management: Those struggling with schizoaffective disorder may need certain medications to alleviate their symptoms. Medical doctors and staff psychiatrists work together to determine the best medication regimen for each individual patient, and the nursing staff assists with medical monitoring and medication management.

Individual therapy: Individual therapy provides a safe place for patients to process through the triumphs and trials that the healing and recovery process can entail. All patients are provided with individual therapy at least twice per week with a primary counselor. In addition, patients also have the option of meeting with a psychiatrist, primary nurse, psychologist, or clergy member as needed.

Family therapy: While each patient’s decision to begin treatment is a strong step towards recovery and freedom from his or her afflictions, a patient’s family can be one of his or her best resources. Keystone recognizes the unique role that family plays in a patient’s process of healing, and so we provide a licensed family therapist who conducts therapy sessions with the patient and family members as needed. In addition, we provide a weekly Family Program every Sunday before visiting hours. The Family Program is free of charge and includes one hour of psycho-educational programming prior to meeting with patients. We also offer day-long programming on Mondays and Tuesdays for family members.

Group therapy: Group therapy is a central component of our treatment. Groups are led by licensed or certified counselors and are held three times per day for adults. Group topics for adults may include:

• Gambling Group
• 12-Step Group Meetings
• Relaxation Groups
• Topics Group
• Men’s Topic Group
• Women’s Topic Group
• Young Adult Topic Group
• Interactive Sharing Therapy group
• Community Group
• Spirituality Groups

Experiential therapy: In addition to traditional groups, patients at Keystone have a number of daily experiential therapy opportunities to choose from, including:

• Pastoral care
• Bibliotherapy
• Cultural activities
• Arts and crafts
• Recreational therapy
• Ropes course
• Arts and crafts
• Social training

In addition to the above treatment methods, we work closely with patients to create thorough discharge and aftercare plans, sometimes including our partial care day treatment services and intensive outpatient services for adults. Each patient’s individual counselor and primary nurse work with a social worker to evaluate discharge needs. In addition, we offer weekly discharge planning groups throughout a patient’s stay with us.

Find out more information about schizoaffective disorder recovery at our mental health treatment center

Here at Keystone, we care about recovery. We aim to restore our patients to healthier, happier, more productive lives free from dependence on addictive chemicals, gambling, and other destructive behaviors. If you or someone you love is struggling with schizoaffective disorder and an addiction, let us be the first step towards a recovered life.