Eating Disorders Treatment Program

A specialized residential program for women seeking treatment for co-occurring eating disorders and substance use.

Treating Co-Occurring Eating Disorders and Addiction at Crossroads

Crossroads employs a fully integrated model of care that addresses both eating disorders and addiction together throughout every step of treatment. The treatment team is a combination of eating disorder and addiction specialists who collaborate to develop an effective plan for each woman that addresses her unique needs. It is not a one-size-fits-all approach because no two women or situations are the same.

Both addiction and eating disorders are chronic diseases that can result in high relapse rates without proper treatment. This means creating a space where women can engage in therapy and programs that enhance their understanding of how these two conditions affect one another and their recovery. It means treating women as a whole and not just focusing on symptoms, but addressing underlying issues and supporting physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual healing.

What Sets Crossroads Apart in Residential Treatment for Eating Disorders

Instead of treating each condition separately – which can actually make some symptoms worse and increase risk of relapse – Crossroads provides comprehensive care addressing both areas of need while also promoting improved mental health. This is one of the biggest factors that sets the facility apart: it is not strictly an eating disorder rehab or an addiction rehab, it’s both, and it’s one of the only facilities of its kind in the state of Maine and in New England as a whole.

The program is a residential treatment program that immerses women in a safe, structured, therapeutic environment to begin their recovery from eating disorders and addiction. It is an intimate 10-bed program that is ideal for women who need the comfort and support of a structured program that has professional onsite staff 24/7.

Some other notable features include:

A safe, secure, homelike setting where women can feel more relaxed and comfortable while in treatment. It has all of the amenities of home and is set in a serene environment.

Crossroads offers treatment for women, by women. The care team is spearheaded by women who understand the unique challenges females face when it comes to addiction and eating disorders and know that the strategies used for men may not be as effective.

The residential treatment program is for women only and offers gender-responsive care. Clients can build stronger connections and feel more comfortable opening up when surrounded by peers who understand first-hand what they are going through.

Crossroads embraces a multidisciplinary approach to eating disorder treatment and substance use disorders that brings together professionals from throughout the industry. For instance, once a client is admitted, they meet with a registered dietitian for a nutritional assessment and development of a personalized meal plan, this information is then shared with the whole team so everyone is working together to support the client in meeting her goals.

Click here to learn more about the condition and symptoms of Eating Disorders.

Each day is carefully structured to address women’s diverse needs in recovery and allows time to meet with master level clinicians, a registered nurse (RN), a dietitian, and other support staff during individual and group sessions. To ensure the client’s medication needs are being met, there is also a nurse practitioner on the team to manage any prescribing needs.

The integration of exposure-based therapies can help women to confront their relationship with their body and learn to effectively manage the anxiety they may feel about eating certain foods, eating in front of others, or adhering to a healthy meal plan. They receive 24/7 support and guidance in navigating challenging situations and developing effective coping strategies.

Meet the staff members and clinicians who will be guiding you on your recovery journey.

At the same time, part of their day may be spent talking about triggers, both for substance use and binge eating for example. Many of the strategies that are used to treat addiction are the same ones used to treat eating disorders, so there is a lot of overlap and value in providing fully integrated treatment. Women are engaged in a variety of evidence-based treatment modalities including:

  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
  • Medical nutrition therapy
  • Art & Expressive Therapy
  • Mindfulness-based relapse prevention
  • Seeking Safety
  • Healing Trauma
  • A Women’s Way Through the 12 Steps

Plus, there are expressive and complementary therapies incorporated as well for a more well-rounded program that offers comprehensive care. Art therapy is avenue for women to express themselves.

The SCOFF Questions

  • Do you make yourself Sick because you feel uncomfortably full?
  • Do you worry that you have lost Control over how much you eat?
  • Have you recently lost more than One stone (14 lb) in a 3-month period?
  • Do you believe yourself to be Fat when others say you are too thin?
  • Would you say that Food dominates your life?

If you answered “yes” to two or more of the questions above you may be at risk. Contact us today for the help you need.

Bringing Families Together to Support Addiction & Eating Disorder Recovery

There is also a family education aspect to residential and IOP treatment that gets the whole family involved in supporting recovery and creating a safe environment. Addiction and eating disorders affect everyone’s lives, so working together to address challenges, increase understanding, and build healthy routines is essential. Family therapy allows loved ones to explore how these conditions have impacted their lives, how to overcome challenges, and how they can play an integral role in the recovery process.

Crossroads prides itself on creating an engaging, therapeutic, and comfortable environment for women to engage in treatment for eating disorders and addiction. Women receive the support they need to realize the seriousness of these issues and make their well-being a priority. With treatment for women, by women, they can feel more confident that the program will be tailored to fit their unique needs and the challenges they face when dealing with these issues in their lives. Crossroads offers a truly integrated approach to treatment in Maine that is unlike any other program in the country. Women can grow, heal, and become whole in their own time and build the strategies and skills they need for lasting recovery, so they can embrace all that the future has to offer.

Learn more about how you or your loved one can get involved with these life-changing services by contacting Crossroads today.