Serving our country is a tremendous and honorable duty, but it certainly comes with its costs. Whether it be the tragedies of a war zone or simply the extended periods away from family, exposure to military life can make an individual much more susceptible to alcohol, tobacco, or drug addiction.

If you or your loved one is a Veteran suffering from addiction, know that there are many resources available to receive the help you deserve.

How Does Veterans’ Substance Abuse Treatment Differ?

More often than not, veterans who suffer from addiction have co-occurring mental health issues that require attention.

Addiction is not a surface illness that can be treated superficially. Addiction is a chronic disease that often stems from underlying mental health issues or past traumas. If the root of the addiction is not addressed, it is more likely that relapse will occur.

The most common disorders afflicting veterans are Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Anxiety, Depression, and Trauma. Substance use treatment for veterans should simultaneously address both the addiction and the mental health issue.

At St. John’s Recovery Place (SJRP), we combine evidence-based practices with complementary experiential therapies to offer an inclusive rehabilitation that heals the mind, body, and soul. Our notable ability to handle co-occurring disorders, along with our holistic approach to substance abuse treatment, makes for an ideal rehabilitation center for veterans in Florida.

Substance Use Rehab Services for Veterans

Veterans seeking substance use treatment will typically have various related services available to them through Veterans Affairs (VA) and covered (at least in part). These services include:

  • Medical detox
  • Medication-assisted therapy (MAT)
  • Nicotine replacement
  • Outpatient counseling
  • Intensive outpatient programs (IOP)
  • Mental health services
  • Marriage and family counseling
  • Support groups
  • Residential care
  • Aftercare and relapse prevention programs
  • Programs serving specific populations such as women veterans, returning combat veterans, and homeless vets

Co-Occurring Disorders

The extraordinary part of substance abuse treatment for veterans in 2021 is that the need for mental health services has gained so much attention and momentum. Rehab facilities such as SJRP incorporate the crucial care needed to address co-occurring mental health disorders that plague many veterans suffering from addiction.

Experiential Therapies

Additionally, veterans tend to gain more benefits from therapies that are more experiential rather than strictly talk therapy.

Experiential therapies such as art therapy, music therapy, equine and animal-assisted therapy are fantastic opportunities for veterans to open themselves up to positive change in a way that’s more natural to them. By participating in physical activities that require focusing on a task and possibly achieving a goal or overcoming a challenge, individuals tend to be more accepting and feel more comfortable with the process of recovery.

Mindfulness Programs

Mindfulness programs, in particular, are ideal for veterans for both recovery and relapse prevention by teaching individuals acceptance of their situation, how to move past it, and better coping techniques for triggers. SJRP’s expanding Adventure Therapy & Mindfulness Program is ideally suited for veterans and can help increase their chances of lifelong recovery.

How to Get Rehab Services for Substance Use

There are only a few steps to getting substance abuse treatment for veterans. You want to be sure to get the help you need as quickly as possible.

The first step is to make sure you have health care benefits. Most veterans are eligible to receive benefits through VA. Insurance companies such as Optum partner with VA to offer quality medical services to veterans, including substance use treatment and related services.

Optum VA Community Care Network

Next, speak to your VA primary care provider. Talk to them about your substance use and addiction concerns. They’ll be able to screen you for substance use and mental health issues such as SUD, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and trauma disorders. Your primary care provider can offer treatment and service recommendations.

Seek treatment services. You have the option to seek treatment services from several resources.

  1. Your primary care provider may recommend services and service locations to you.
  2. If you don’t have a VA primary care provider, you can find a Substance Use Disorder program near you that VA services.
  3. Or you can contact a Substance Use Rehab Facility that accepts and is in-network with your Optum insurance, such as SJRP. Our admissions team can help you verify your insurance and assist you with the next steps.
  4. If you served in Operation Ending Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), or Operation New Dawn (OND), you can call your local VA medical center and ask to speak to the OEF/OIF/OND coordinator.

Depending on your particular insurance plan, you may need to receive pre-approval prior to enrolling in a treatment facility. Be sure to ask your insurance representative if there are any specific requirements.

Don’t have VA health care benefits?

If you don’t have health care benefits through VA, you may still be eligible to receive care through some other programs.

Those who served in combat zones are eligible to receive free support services at community Vet Centers, including an alcohol and drug assessment as well as private counseling.

Those who are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness can receive assistance through VA’s homelessness programs. An individual can also call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838 or visit a local VA Community Resource and Referral Center.

As hard as it may be to have to swallow your pride and admit to yourself, and possibly your friends and family, that you have an addiction, you must do it as soon as possible. Alcoholism, nicotine dependence, and drug addiction can be crippling to your life, your family, and your future. You took care of your country; now let us take care of you. Call SJRP today at 833-397-3422 to begin the process of taking back the life you deserve!

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