The Compulsive Behaviors Program at River Oaks Hospital offers mental health services for a variety of dysfunctional and/or destructive behaviors.
This includes sexual activity compulsion/addiction, paraphilias, addictive relationships, kleptomania, compulsive spending, embezzlement, gambling, unwanted thoughts, and self-injury.
Many clients co-present with related issues, such as compulsive behavior and addiction, eating disorders, depression, and interpersonal difficulties. Treatment is based on systemic, cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic approaches. The model supports the belief that compulsions come from an identifiable source (i.e. family dysfunction and/or trauma), operate in a predictable pattern, and can be alleviated through a process of recovery.
Compulsive behavior disorders can serve an idiosyncratic function in a person’s life by filling a void, becoming a means of escape from stress, creating an illusion of power and control, and/or providing relief from difficult aspects of life.
A highly nurturing milieu creates a structured environment in which individuals can acknowledge destructive behaviors with full ownership while exploring influences from the past. Patients are protected from daily stressors and responsibilities in order to focus attention on the healing process. The clinical staff provides both the necessary support and confrontation to challenge each patient to maximize their healing potential. Patients learn to identify, modify, and control behavior patterns that have negatively ruled their lives.
Internationally recognized, the River Oaks Compulsive Behaviors Program provides an integration of treatment methods, identifying factors that influence or impact the patient’s behavior while replacing compulsive behavior with non-addictive adaptive coping responses. Behavioral reconditioning, relapse prevention planning, and 12-step approaches are utilized to maintain control over destructive behavioral patterns.
12-step groups are offered on campus and attendance is encouraged. 12-step work is integrated into a compulsive behaviors group. Additional addictions work is available on the Dual Diagnosis Unit.
An individualized mental health treatment program is developed with input from the patient, referring professionals, and the River Oaks treatment team.
For example, obsessive-compulsive disorder treatment will focus on obsessive-compulsive disorder causes, and the treatment for OCD will focus on obsessive thoughts and the root causes to treat OCD.
River Oaks Hospital, located in West Harahan, Louisiana, has helped individuals with psychiatric, substance abuse, and trauma-based disorders for over 30 years. Located right outside of New Orleans, Louisiana, River Oaks Hospital is situated on a 14-acre campus. For more information on the services offered, contact us or call 800-366-1740.