Co-Occurring Disorders Program

Medical Director: Sunil Khushalani, M.D.

Service Chief - Towson: Sunil Khushalani, M.D.

Service Chief - Ellicott City: Ikwunga Wonodi, M.D.

Phone: 410-938-3800

The Co-Occurring Disorders Program provides integrated treatment to a wide range of patients with co-occurring disorders, which may include a psychiatric diagnosis, as well as addictive and medical issues that exist simultaneously. Our program consists of an inpatient unit, a partial hospitalization program, or day hospital, and an intensive outpatient program (IOP).

Inpatient Level of Care

Patients admitted to an inpatient unit on either our Towson or Ellicott City campus are evaluated and treated during their short-term stay by a multi-disciplinary team of professionals. In addition to a thorough diagnostic assessment, we also offer detoxification, pharmacological, psychotherapeutic, and group interventions. At this level of care, the patient is treated by a psychiatrist daily and is monitored 24 hours a day by a skilled nursing staff. We believe in a team-based approach to care, which includes not only the psychiatrist and nursing staff, but also the services of a social worker and the benefits of a milieu that includes interventions by an occupational therapist.

Our approach to care also includes:

• Symptom management 
• Crisis stabilization 
• Introduction to the 12-step model facilitation of coping and self-management skills 
• Patient and family education as to the patient’s diagnosis and treatment 
• Development of a discharge plan suited to each patient’s individual needs, including referrals to community-based services and programs, such as rehabilitation programs and half-way houses that fit within the framework of a patient’s available benefits and resources 

Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) Levels of Care

At the partial hospitalization and IOP levels of care, we offer two separate tracks, the General Adult track and the Co-Occurring Disorders track. In the Co-Occurring Disorders track, our multi-disciplinary team of professionals evaluates and treats patients in an integrated way. In addition to a thorough diagnostic assessment and weekly urine drug monitoring, we also offer pharmacological, psychotherapeutic, and group interventions. At this level of care the patient is treated by a psychiatrist at least 2-5 days a week, depending on their individual needs. Our team-based approach to care also includes a daily assessment by a nurse, as well as the services of a social worker.

Our approach to care also includes:

• Symptom management 
• Crisis stabilization 
• Introduction to the 12-step model 
• Introduction to the cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) model 
• Facilitation of coping and self-management skills 
• Patient and family education as to the patient’s diagnosis and treatment 
• Development of a discharge plan suited to each patient’s individual needs, including referrals to community-based services and programs, such as rehabilitation programs and half-way houses that fit within the framework of a patient’s available benefits and resources

“Thank you all for the tremendously difficult job that you do. I was fortunate to get the care I needed.”

-Mildred M. Co-Occurring Disorders Program