Drug and Alcohol Rehab for Veterans

Part of the Complete Guide to Understanding Addiction

Why Veterans Need Drug and Alcohol Rehab?

When Veterans return home from military services, they struggle to adjust to civilian life. The major challenge for them is to cope with their traumas during military combat and operations. They get traumatic flashbacks, which often results in post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD.

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The rate of PTSD is high among veterans, especially Marine Corps and Army personnel. Those who experience severe and even moderate combat related traumas struggle to get those images out of their mind and mitigate mental health issues. To cope with their mental and physical illness they often resort to drug use. That’s why drug and alcohol abuse is common among veterans. The best treatment process to eliminate their drug dependencyis Drug and Alcohol rehab for veterans.

Veteran Drug Abuse Statistics

Most Veterans develop an addiction to opioid painkillers as they obtain the prescription for injury and pain. However, authorities are taking measures to prevent opioid addiction and misuse through various methods. The use of opioid painkillers reduced by 50% from 2011 to 2015 among service members. Numerous studies claimed that excessive use of prescription opioids increases dependency risks. In another research, experts found that 2 out of 10 veterans diagnosed with PTSD, also show symptoms of substance use disorder or SUD.

The United States Army published a memo warning people in the military to avoid benzodiazepines for the treatment of PTSD. They claimed that benzodiazepines slowed the trauma recovery process and it’s not effective in the long term. Besides opioids, Veterans also tend to abuse other illicit drugs including marijuana. According to a 2017 survey, 4% of veterans use illicit drugs. Among those, 3.5% started smoking marijuana. Data collected from various studies suggest that veterans are at risk of becoming smokers. From veterans who smoke, more than 27% are at the risk of developing deadly diseases such as coronary heart disease.

What is Veteran Affairs Drug and Alcohol Rehab

Veteran Affairs offers notable benefits to veterans. Their benefits include:

• Vocational rehabilitation
• Vocational training
• Grants for education
• Pensions
• Disability compensation
• Health care
• Life insurance
• Job placement
• Financial loans
• Burial

Veteran Affairs has the largest healthcare network in the entire United States. The facility supports many veterans throughout the country. The veteran affairs drug and alcohol rehab offers wide-ranging options for drug abuse treatment. That’s why VA facility is crucial for veterans as it helps them live a healthy life. The community care program enables veterans to utilize their VA benefits for alcohol and drug abuse treatment at different facilities.

Types of Addiction Treatments for Veterans

Drug and alcohol abuse treatment plan is different for veterans than for the average American. It’s because they have to face unique challenges while coping with their addictive behavior. This could be survivor’s guilt, PTSD, or military-related stress. Veterans need to address their issues and overcome dependency on drugs. Drug and Alcohol rehab for veterans has trained staff with the ability to deal with veterans’ issues. Furthermore, these caretakers have the skills to build communities among participants and guide them through drug and alcohol addiction.

If you are a veteran, dealing with substance abuse, veteran affairs drug and alcohol rehab would be your first option to seek care. However, there are numerous other options as well. If there is no available space in VA programs, or if the facility isn’t offering the care you want, then you can opt for other treatment providers.

VA community care provider network works with different facilities to offer the best treatment to veterans. VA treatment programs are in high demand since veterans go through a lot in their life and recovery can be a challenge. If you want to join the VA facility, you can put your name in the waitlist and they will contact you. If that doesn’t suit you, join a private treatment center that facilitates veterans. Here are some insurance policies you can consider to cover your treatment expense:

1.      Tricare

Tricare is a healthcare program for retirees and military service members. Tricare supports veterans as well as active-duty military members by offering them health coverage. You can use this coverage with your veteran affairs benefits. Tricare offers a myriad of affordable and comprehensive health care coverage all around the world. Here are some treatments offered by Tricare:

• Drug testing
• Detox
• Family therapy
• Impatient treatment programs
• Outpatient treatment programs
• Abuse disorder treatment for opioids and other substances

2.      Medicare

This is a federal program that offers health insurance to Americans with certain disabilities who are over the age of 65. This program helps veterans with their drug abuse treatment as well. However, keep in mind that you cannot use VA and Medicare benefits simultaneously.

Suppose you have VA as well as Medicare insurance. If you will opt for a VA treatment program or visit a VA doctor, you can avail of VA benefits. But, if you join a private treatment program or visit a non-VA doctor, you can apply with Medicare part A and Part B.

Many veterans prefer VA hospital or VA treatment programs for drug and alcohol abuse since it offers better benefits than Medicare. However, when the VA program is full or it’s too far from home, veterans avail Medicare benefits. Be sure to evaluate both options before deciding.

3.      Medicaid

Medicaid helps low-income individuals with their medical conditions. According to a review, almost 10% of veterans cannot afford their drug abuse treatment expenses. If you have financial issues, you can seek help from Medicaid. Also, remember that every addiction program doesn’t accept Medicaid. Therefore, you must check before getting registered.

Inpatient vs. Outpatient Programs

Both outpatient and inpatient rehab for veterans have downsides and upsides. Choose an option depending on your needs and other factors, which include the amount of support you require, the severity of your drug addiction, personal preferences, and cost considerations. Here are some common treatment options:

• Residential inpatient treatment
• Intensive outpatient treatment
• Outpatient counseling
• Self-help group
• Evening and weekend programs

What Should Veterans Look For In Rehab?

Veterans get involved in drugs due to numerous reasons including homelessness, unemployment, separation from loved ones, and military-related stress and traumas. Here are a few things veterans must choose on their path to recovery:

1. They should pick a VA or private trauma therapy designed to rewire their brain. These processes help veterans heal from their traumas and overcome painful memories.
2. They should choose a dual diagnosis program that helps them with addiction challenges and mental health problems.
3. They should prefer a community-focused recovery center.
4. Registering with a rehab center that offers insurance benefits to veterans would be ideal/\.

Military veterans have a plethora of reasons to develop drug and alcohol dependency. Since they have been through a lot of hardship and traumas, they might need prescription opioids to control their mental health issues. However, opioid is highly addictive. During drug abuse, veterans should consult with a VA facility center or private drug abuse treatment center. In both conditions, they can cover your treatment with health insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hopefully, you now have a basic idea about drug and alcohol rehab for veterans. If you have other questions, check these frequently asked questions.

Where Do Veterans Go For Drug and Alcohol Rehab?

Veterans visit veteran affairs drug and alcohol rehab for treatment. These programs offer vocational, social, medical, and rehabilitation therapies. The treatment involves psychiatric care, rehabilitation, and detoxification.

How long is Drug Rehab for Veterans?

Drug and alcohol treatment programs for veterans can last up to 48 months. But depending on the patient’s condition, the doctor might extend the duration.