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Personality disorders are long-term mental health conditions that affect the way a person thinks, feels, and relates to others. [1] When traits like impulsivity, emotional volatility, or chronic emptiness are present, the risk of turning to drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism increases.
Unfortunately, traditional addiction treatment often overlooks these underlying personality patterns, making relapse more likely without the right kind of care. That’s why personality disorders and addiction treatment centers in Maryland, such as The Freedom Center, offer specialized dual diagnosis programs that address both issues at the same time for lasting recovery.
Personality disorders are complex, long-standing mental health conditions that shape the way someone experiences emotions, thinks about themselves, and interacts with others. [2]
These deeply rooted patterns can make it difficult to maintain stable relationships, hold a job, or navigate everyday situations. Many individuals with personality disorders face ongoing challenges with self-esteem, emotional control, and trust in personal or social settings.
Some of the most common types include:[3]
These disorders often require long-term, structured treatment. Without support, symptoms can lead to self-destructive choices, including substance use.
That’s why personality disorders and addiction treatment centers in Maryland, such as The Freedom Center, offer specialized care that addresses both challenges at once. These personality disorder treatment centers utilize a combination of therapy, medication, and personalized support to help clients achieve real, lasting change.
Personality disorders and addiction often overlap in ways that create a complicated and painful cycle.[4] Traits like impulsivity, emotional instability, or chronic emptiness can lead to using drugs or alcohol in an attempt to self-soothe or escape. Substance use rarely helps in the long run—it usually deepens emotional distress and makes the symptoms of the personality disorder harder to manage.
Take Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), for example. Intense mood swings, fear of abandonment, and overwhelming emotions can drive a person to seek relief through substances.[5] Unfortunately, this often results in more chaos—more emotional crashes, more risky behavior, and more broken connections.
For those with Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD), addiction can look different.[6] Substances might be used to maintain a sense of control, boost self-image, or numb uncomfortable feelings like shame or insecurity. As addiction takes hold, denial, defensiveness, and manipulation can increase, complicating both recovery and relationships.
In the end, drug addiction and personality disorders tend to feed off one another. Without addressing both at the same time, sustaining recovery is difficult. That’s why dual diagnosis care, like the programs offered at The Freedom Center in Maryland, is so important. Treating both conditions together provides a path toward real stability and healing.
When personality disorders and addiction go hand in hand, it can be hard to tell where one issue ends and the other begins. Certain signs indicate that both conditions may require treatment in a dual diagnosis program.
They might notice patterns like unstable or chaotic relationships, emotional outbursts, or behaviors like self-harm and impulsive decisions. If someone frequently turns to drugs or alcohol to cope with these feelings—or if their mood swings, identity struggles, or reactions feel extreme—it could point to a deeper, underlying condition.
Many people with co-occurring disorders find it nearly impossible to stay sober without addressing their mental health treatment needs.[7] That’s why personality disorders and addiction treatment centers in Maryland, like The Freedom Center, offer integrated care that treats the whole picture.
If emotional volatility, manipulative tendencies, or antisocial behavior are part of someone’s struggle, dual diagnosis treatment could be a crucial next step.
When someone enters a dual diagnosis program in Maryland, the first step is a full evaluation.
At The Freedom Center, this includes a comprehensive psychiatric assessment with clinicians to understand personality traits, emotional patterns, and mental health history, alongside a detailed look at substance use.
This provides the care team with the insight they need to create a personalized treatment plan and identify the levels of care that work best for each person, not just their symptoms.
From there, treatment is highly individualized. Patients and clients participate in therapy designed to help them understand their behaviors, improve emotional regulation, and work through long-standing patterns that may be tied to a personality disorder.
At the same time, they’ll receive addiction support—this might include medication-assisted treatment, relapse prevention strategies, and coping skills for cravings and stress.
The Freedom Center offers a structured and compassionate environment that promotes holistic wellness by addressing both the mind and body. Whether someone is dealing with BPD and substance abuse, narcissism and addiction, or another complex diagnosis, their integrated care model is built to help them stabilize, grow, and move forward.
Effective treatment for personality disorders and addiction requires more than talk therapy—it takes targeted, research-backed approaches that address the full complexity of each condition.[8]
At The Freedom Center and other personality disorders and addiction treatment centers in Maryland, clients receive personalized care that blends multiple therapeutic modalities for long-term healing.
Originally for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), DBT is one of the most effective therapies for individuals dealing with emotional instability, self-harm, and intense interpersonal conflict.
It teaches core skills for dealing with mental health issues like emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness—tools that are critical in managing both addiction and impulsive behaviors.
CBT helps clients uncover and challenge the negative thought patterns that fuel substance use and unhealthy coping mechanisms. For those with narcissistic traits or antisocial tendencies, it also supports building insight and restructuring behaviors that interfere with recovery. [9]
Many individuals living with personality disorders have a history of trauma that influences how they see the world, respond to stress, and relate to others.
Rather than focusing just on symptoms, trauma-informed care looks at the “why” behind those behaviors.
This type of therapy emphasizes emotional safety, trust, and empowerment, which builds a sense of security and well-being. It helps people feel supported, not judged, as they work through painful experiences.
When needed, medications such as SSRIs, mood stabilizers, or antipsychotics can help regulate mood, reduce anxiety, and stabilize mood swings. [10]
At The Freedom Center, psychiatric providers work closely with each client to ensure that any medications prescribed are tailored to their symptoms and adjusted as needed throughout treatment.
As one of the leading personality disorders and addiction treatment centers in Maryland, The Freedom Center offers a full continuum of care designed for those with both mental health and substance use disorders. Every program is built to support healing on both fronts—emotionally, behaviorally, and physically.
For clients experiencing intense emotional distress, frequent relapse, or unsafe behaviors, inpatient treatment in Buckeystown provides 24/7 clinical care.
This level of support is ideal for stabilizing acute symptoms, managing medication safely, and beginning the deep work of healing from both addiction and personality disorder traits.
Our PHP and IOP programs in Gaithersburg offer structured daytime therapy while allowing clients to live at home or in supportive housing.
These programs include individual therapy, group sessions, psychiatric care, and DBT/CBT work tailored to personality disorders. They’re ideal for those transitioning from inpatient care or requiring ongoing support without full-time residential treatment.
Long-term recovery is about consistency. Our outpatient services provide continued therapy, psychiatric check-ins, relapse prevention planning, and peer support groups.
We also help clients transition into aftercare plans that may include sober living, alumni support, and vocational or academic assistance, ensuring the support doesn’t stop when formal treatment ends.
If you or a loved one is ready to get help but finances are holding you back, give us a call. We can work with your health insurance provider.
If you or a loved one is ready to get help but finances are holding you back, give us a call. We can work with your health insurance provider.
Client transformations are what drive us to continually improve and enhance everything we do here. We are deeply committed to giving back, lifting others up, and ensuring that no one in our community has to face addiction alone. These are their stories of hope,
All content produced by The Freedom Center undergoes a detailed evaluation process to ensure accuracy and quality. We only work with medical professionals and individuals with extensive experience in the field, and all content produced undergoes a review process to ensure accuracy. Our goal is to be a reliable resource the recovery community can turn to for information they can trust.
Powder cocaine is a hydrochloride salt that’s usually snorted or dissolved and injected.
Crack cocaine is a crystalized form that’s smoked. Crack produces a faster, more intense high, but also wears off quickly, leading to more frequent use. [11]
Both forms are highly addictive, but crack is often associated with a quicker path to dependence due to how rapidly it enters the bloodstream and affects the brain.
Finishing rehab doesn’t mean the journey ends.
At The Freedom Center, the team will help each person develop a personalized recovery plan that lasts. That might include alumni support, sober living connections, and continued therapy.
The goal is that everyone leaves with a roadmap—and a support system—to stay sober and thrive in real life after their time at The Freedom Center.
People with personality disorders tend to experience intense emotions, difficulty with impulse control, and a deep sense of emptiness or instability. [11] To try to manage these overwhelming feelings, many turn to drugs or alcohol for relief. Substances can temporarily dull emotional pain, boost confidence, or offer an escape, but that relief is short-lived. This can be the case with other mental health disorders as well.
Over time, substance use usually worsens the very symptoms it was meant to soothe, leading to a cycle of emotional distress and addiction. Without integrated care that treats both the personality disorder and the addiction, it can be difficult to break that cycle for good.
[1][2][3][10][11] What are Personality Disorders? (n.d.). https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/personality-disorders/what-are-personality-disorders
[4]Parmar, A., & Kaloiya, G. (2018). Comorbidity of Personality Disorder among Substance Use Disorder Patients: A Narrative Review. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 40(6), 517–527. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijpsym.ijpsym_164_18
[5] Kienast, T., Stoffers, J., Bermpohl, F., & Lieb, K. (2014). Borderline personality disorder and comorbid addiction. Deutsches Ärzteblatt International. https://doi.org/10.3238/arztebl.2014.0280
[6] Jauk, E., & Dieterich, R. (2019). Addiction and the dark triad of personality. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00662
[7][12] Co-Occurring disorders and health conditions. (2024, September 30). National Institute on Drug Abuse. https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/co-occurring-disorders-health-conditions
[8][9][13] Help for personality disorders. (n.d.). American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/topics/personality-disorders/help
Mary is an experienced Client Care Manager with 20+ years in customer service. She excels at problem-solving and takes pride in delivering tailored solutions. Mary builds strong client relationships, ensuring satisfaction with each interaction. Her attention to detail and communication skills are valuable assets. Mary goes above and beyond to exceed expectations and is dedicated to outstanding service. In her free time, she enjoys music, reading, and family time.
Samantha is a compassionate therapist dedicated to helping individuals navigate their mental health challenges and find healing and recovery. Currently pursuing her advanced degree in psychology, Samantha’s personal journey of overcoming addiction fuels her passion for supporting others on their path to wellness. Samantha’s own journey of recovery serves as a powerful foundation for her therapeutic services. She approaches her work with empathy, understanding, and non-judgment, recognizing that everyone’s path to healing is unique.
Corey Hassett grew up in Gaithersburg Maryland. After graduating high school, he attended college at the University of Coastal Carolina & Salisbury University. In 2014, Corey moved to Florida where he worked in retail sales. In 2015, Corey was given the opportunity to join Amethyst Recovery Center’s Business Development team. In 2018, Corey had the opportunity to partner with Amethyst and USR to open The Freedom Center in his to hometown of Gaithersburg, MD. Throughout his tenure at The Freedom Center, he has strategically built relationship with referring providers, hospitals and local government leaders. Corey has continued to grow The Freedom Center brand, educate his local community on Substance Use Disorder and become a pillar of the local recovery community. Corey’s mission is to provide quality behavioral health care to local community members who reach out in need, regardless of their financial situation. Outside of The Freedom Center, Corey enjoys playing golf, hiking and most of all being the best father to his three young boys.
Michael is the Community Outreach Coordinator and Alumni Director. Himself, an alumni of The Freedom Center, Michael brings a personal experience of the program to his role. A resident of Gaithersburg, Michael has planted roots and established a network in the local recovery community. Michael’s goal is to connect current client and alumni with resources to strengthen their life in recovery.
A veteran of two branches of the U.S. military, Max is continuing his education in healthcare administration. Max began his career in the addiction field working as a group facilitator and teacher, developing and delivering a successful faith-based curriculum in a long-term residential treatment setting. Accruing years of hands-on experience working alongside the administrators of facilities across the country in development of their own unique programs gave Max a unique and robust perspective into the administrative requirements of addiction treatment programs. Today, Max is able to channel his passion for battling the disease of addiction into ensuring The Freedom Center maintains strict adherence to the guidelines set forth by The Joint Commission and our partnerships in the insurance industry, and is constantly striving to improve the overall performance of the facility.
Alexandra oversees all operations with The Freedom Center to ensure clients are given the best chance at success. She works with The Freedom Center team to develop and implement policies, procedures and oversees Intakes and Transportation. Alexandra works with Admissions and Clinical Departments for scheduling client admissions, transfers, discharges and outside appointments while maintaining positive relationships with all clients. Her primary focus is to provide all clients with a safe, structured environment while coordinating their care. Alexandra understands addiction from both familial and personal standpoints, as she is active in her own recovery. Through her own hard-won experience and deep desire to help others, Alexandra became a certified Peer Support Recovery Coach, Life Coach and actively practices principals learned through the recovery process in her daily life. Alexandra is a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend and has learned the value of recovery and succeeding in whatever she sets her mind to. Her innovative approach as Director of Operations gives her clients a safe and compassionate place at The Freedom Center to begin their recovery journey.
James Scribner holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business. His career began working in the accounting industry as a financial auditor. In that role, James audited a national trade association with over 1,300 member companies that sell health insurance coverage to more than 200 million Americans. He also conducted official financial examinations of various non-profit organizations and for-profit corporations. This experience allowed him to learn the inner workings of almost any aspect of a company. It also taught him the value of building meaningful relationships with clients and having a strong ethical framework.
James began his personal recovery journey in 2010. Throughout that process, he learned the importance of helping others and living by spiritual principles. Throughout his recovery, James has used his personal story to help make a difference in the lives of others. Over the years he grew into becoming an advocate for people in recovery or seeking recovery from substance use disorders. James is a CCAR Recovery Coach and believes in developing meaningful relationships, and providing highly individualized therapy and client care. In 2017, James had the opportunity to combine his business experience and passion for recovery to start The Freedom Center.
Being born and raised in Gaithersburg, Maryland, it was always a dream for James to start a program where he began his own recovery journey. Having faced addiction in his own life, and having worked through recovery, James truly understands what it takes to get sober and stay sober. James now has the opportunity to do what he loves and help others achieve long-term recovery. James works alongside the clinical director and administrative team to help ensure that every client benefits from a customized treatment plan and holistic approach that offers freedom from the grips of addiction.
“Never lose hope. Recovery is possible!”
Melissa is a visionary and empathetic leader in the field of peer support and recovery. Nationally Certified as a Peer Recovery Support Specialist by the Maryland Addiction and Behavioral-health Professionals Certification board, Melissa’s journey has been defined by her unwavering commitment to helping others find their path to recovery. Armed with credentials as a Registered Peer Supervisor, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, and Alcohol and Drug Trainee she has earned her place as a guiding light for individuals seeking hope and solace. Melissa’s illustrious journey includes a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland, College Park, while she currently works diligently towards her Master of Social Work (MSW) degree at Walden University. Melissa’s personal experiences with addiction and mental health struggles instilled within her a profound passion for supporting others on their recovery journey. Her unwavering commitment to peer support, coupled with her own lived experience, fuels her drive to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those facing similar challenges.
As an integral part of The Freedom Center, Melissa’s multifaceted experience shines through her past work in various capacities. She played a pivotal role as a peer support specialist in the overdose response team for Montgomery County, where she collaborated closely with the Department of Health and Human Services, Crisis Center, EMS, MCPD, and Montgomery County hospitals. Her presence on this team highlights her dedication to crisis intervention and her ability to provide critical support during vulnerable times. Prior to her role in crisis intervention, Melissa worked extensively in the substance abuse and dual diagnoses treatment field. Her diverse roles as a case manager, discharge coordinator, behavioral health technician, group facilitator, and clinician have provided her with invaluable insights into the complexities of addiction and mental health recovery. Above all, Melissa’s authenticity shines through her self-disclosure as someone in long-term recovery herself. This profound personal connection fuels her passion for working in the field and enables her to bring a unique blend of empathy and expertise to her role.
Meet Federico Douglas. Federico is bilingual is Spanish. He earned a Bachelor’s degree at Lincoln University of Pennsylvania while pursuing his CAC-AD. With strong ties to Victory Christian Church and the 12-step community, Federico shares an amazing personal story of redemption and long-term recovery. With over 32 years in the arena of addiction and sobriety, he uses his vast experience to provide a unique approach to mentorship and guiding our clients toward a supportive lifestyle of recovery. Mr. Douglas’ experience, strength, and hope inspires those in our program, and prepares them for the real-world journey of recovery. With a robust foundation in 12-step philosophy, Federico can not only educate the clients on the model, but also integrate the tried-and-true principles in a more personal, clinical setting.
Bunmi is a recent graduate of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a concentration in Human Services. She joined The Freedom Center team to provide counseling for substance use disorders and related mental health issues on an individual basis, facilitate group sessions, provide assessments, and provide support to the clinical staff. Bunmi is dedicated to helping her clients reach their full potential and build their toolkit of resources to support their long-term recovery.
Meet Cheryl Moore. Cheryl is a Clinical Social Worker licensed by the state of Maryland with over 30 years of experience in the field. She graduated from The University of Maryland with a master’s degree in social work. Her experience in a variety of settings, from leadership in a hospital setting to private practice, affords Cheryl a well-rounded skillset ready to render top-notch care and serve the needs of our diverse community. As a licensed clinician, Cheryl stands ready to diagnose and treat a wide spectrum of mental, behavioral, and personality disorders that sometimes present alongside a substance use disorder. Whether she’s leading group therapy or providing an individual therapy session, Cheryl’s expansive knowledge and genuine compassion paired with her deep drive to help people are always on display at The Freedom Center.
Meet Mr. Kevin Sockwell. In addition to the title of Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Kevin is also licensed by the state of Maryland as a Clinical Drug and Alcohol Counselor. He holds a Master of Science degree in Counseling and has over 26 years of experience as a substance use/mental health counselor with the Montgomery County Government. Whether he’s leading groups or providing individual and family therapy, Kevin’s passion for serving those suffering from substance use disorders is always on display. When he’s not busy treating The Freedom Center’s clientele, you might find Kevin engaged in his other passion as an actor/director in the local theater community. Kevin’s expertise and experience as a Primary Therapist, paired with his natural talents and abilities as a speaker and an artist, have uniquely equipped him to reach our population and render top-notch care.
Vanessa is certified in addictions counseling by Maryland’s Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists, with credentials as a clinical supervisor. She comes to The Freedom Center with over 14 years of direct experience in residential and outpatient treatment between the private and federal sectors.
In addition to helping those suffering from addiction, Vanessa has dedicated part of her career to “helping the helper.” In 2015, she began working in a Training and Career Development Center coordinating substance abuse trainings for other clinicians. Her experience in behavioral health training, program development, and organizational leadership lead her to pursue a certification as a Project Management Professional in 2018. Vanessa also holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in Behavioral and Social Sciences from the University of Maryland, College Park and a Master’s of Business Administration-Human Resource Management from Columbia Southern University.
Vanessa is a Montgomery County native who spends her free time traveling with her daughter and volunteering in the community.
Judy is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the State of Maryland, and a National Certified Counselor. She earned her Master’s Degree in Clinical Counseling from Johns Hopkins University with an undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland. Judy is a Primary Therapist who provides services to clients with dual-diagnosis disorders and is skilled in providing Trauma-Informed Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Eating Disorders. She has served in both clinical and leadership positions in a number of roles, in inpatient and outpatient settings, as a Primary Therapist and Clinical Supervisor.
Deirdre graduated in 2012 from Pace University and completed her bachelor’s at Columbia University in New York and has her Master of Science in Family Nurse Practitioner. Deirdre also has a Master’s in Public Health in Epidemiology. Deirdre has extensive experience in mental health and treating substance use disorder related issues. In addition, Deirdre has experience in caring for young adults, women’s health issues and adolescents with HIV/AIDS. She served as a Wellness coordinator at Search for Change, Inc and currently serves as an Independent Practice Coach from 2011 to present. As the Family Nurse Practitioner, Deirdre performs history and physical exams, and works with clients to diagnose and treat dual diagnosis clients.
Mark joined the medical team at The Freedom Center in September 2018 as the Medical Director. He received his medical degree in Mexico with further certification from Rutgers Medical School in New Jersey. He then attended New York Medical College for his residency training. Prior to being hired at The Freedom Center, he spent over twenty years working in the field of addictions treatment, and has been involved in nearly every treatment setting, from outpatient to residential to maintenance management.
As the Medical Director, Mark works with the staff to coordinate the appropriate level of care for each individual client. He works directly with the clients on management of medical issues both related to and separate from their addiction, ensuring comprehensive health care plans that ensure our clients’ chances at recovery. What he has found to be most rewarding about working in the addictions treatment field is being able to help suffering addicts and alcoholics to realize their fullest potential.
