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Drug and Alcohol Rehab for Veterans

  • Reviewed by: Dr. Carl Williams, Ph.D., LCADC
  • Modified:
  • Reading Time: 9 minutes
  • Reviewed by: Dr. Carl Williams, Ph.D., LCADC
  • Last Update:
  • Reading Time: 9 minutes

Learn about specialized rehab treatments for veterans, including cognitive behavioral therapy and medication-assisted therapy.

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Strategies and Challenges

Substance Abuse in Veterans

Approximately 7% of the United States population comprises veterans (about 18 million American adults). About 66% of them grapple with chronic pain.

Despite initiatives designed to aid veterans and other inactive military members, war trauma can lead to maladaptive coping methods. More than one in ten veterans deal with substance abuse problems. In light of this, 65% of veterans who check into a treatment center are grappling with alcohol use disorder.

Table of Contents

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Levels of Care
Popular Topics
Families & Addiction

Understanding Addiction Causes in Veterans

Why Do Veterans Develop Drug or Alcohol Addictions?

Many factors can contribute to veterans developing a dependency on narcotics or alcohol. Injuries, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), and psychological problems are the most common causes.

As a result, there is an urgent need to provide treatment and assistance for these widespread issues among veterans.

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Specialized Treatment Approaches for Veterans

Addiction Treatment for Veterans

Treatment for addictive behavior explicitly geared for veterans is often individualized to address the specific challenges these heroes face when battling an addiction to drugs or alcohol. Preventive services, behavioral therapies, and pharmaceuticals are all viable options for treating substance abuse among veterans.

Participants in our treatment program have the opportunity to take part in various therapies that include:

Individual Therapy

Individual, one-on-one therapy sessions with a trained rehab specialist are integral to the healing process. As a particular population, veterans may have additional difficulties maintaining sobriety, but with psychotherapy, they can learn to recognize and manage these issues.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Veterans with drug abuse issues can benefit from CBT by learning to think more realistically and constructively about their lives and the world around them. In addition, the program can aid veterans in controlling their substance use, saying “no” to drug and alcohol opportunities, resolving issues related to their substance abuse through creative problem-solving, and achieving their specific targets.

Motivational Interviewing (MI)

The goal of MI in treating veterans with drug and alcohol use disorders is to identify and fortify the person’s innate drive to make positive behavioral changes through collaborative interactions with the therapist. Person-centeredness is at the heart of motivational interviewing (MI).

The MI approach encourages clients to actively participate in the change process, fosters open communication about problems, and heightens the drive to effect positive adjustments.

The aim is to encourage patients to modify undesirable behaviors by appealing to their sense of personal responsibility.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

DBT is a subset of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that has successfully treated various mental health conditions. DBT has proven particularly helpful for those struggling with substance abuse and mental health issues. The focus here is on teaching people healthy coping mechanisms for dealing with stress.

Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET)

For veterans struggling with substance abuse, MET focuses on one-on-one talks with a therapist to identify and fortify the person’s intrinsic incentives for making positive behavioral changes. This treatment focuses on uncovering the motivations for change and the positive outcomes that could result from it.

Family Counseling

Family members typically play pivotal roles in healing from any illness, including addiction. Family counseling or therapy is a form of psychotherapy that involves the client’s loved ones in the healing process to effect positive change for everyone concerned.

Group Therapy

In a typical group therapy session, a therapist (or multiple mental health professionals) will work with five to fifteen patients, addressing their issues simultaneously. Weekly meetings often last from one to two hours.

Customized support groups are available for those struggling with various issues, such as depression, metabolic syndrome, panic attacks, social anxiety, excruciating pain, and drug misuse. When you enter treatment, you’ll receive assistance choosing the group that best fits your situation.

However, group therapy isn’t for everyone; some people need the one-on-one attention they can only get in an individual setting.

Rolling Hills Recovery Center Veterans Helpline

Anytime, day or night, you may call us at Rolling Hills Recovery Center at 855-559-8550. We’ll work with you to find the best treatment plan.

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Key Medications in Addiction Recovery

Prescription Drugs: Medication-Assisted Therapy (MAT)

Similar to other severe illnesses like diabetes and heart disease, drug use disorders need multidisciplinary care that may include prescription medication and psychotherapy.

Among these MAT treatment interventions are medicines that help lessen the severity of cravings, prevent relapses, and lower the probability of death from drug use, including:

For OUDs (Opioid Use Disorders):

  • Naltrexone Injection.

  • Naloxone/Buprenorphine.

  • Methadone.

For AUDs (Alcohol Use Disorders):

  • Naltrexone.

  • Acamprosate.

  • Topiramate.

  • Disulfiram.

For TUDs (Tobacco Use Disorders):

  • Bupropion.

  • Replacement Therapy for Nicotine.

  • Varenicline.

Rolling Hills Recovery Center offers free 24/7 addiction support for veterans.

A patient navigator is ready to help. Our team of dedicated professionals are here to help 24 hours a day.

Call (855) 559-8550

Addressing Opioid Addiction in Veterans

Veterans and Opioid Use Disorder

It has been shown that 21.7% of combat-injured veterans administered sedatives, and 46.2% of those prescribed opioids for pain management abuse these substances.

One study found that virtually all service members who took opioid tablets to treat OUD or chronic pain had several risk factors for overdose.

Medication-assisted treatment (also known as MAT) is the most successful method of dealing with opioid addiction and is usually used in conjunction with behavioral therapies.

The likelihood that a patient in therapy will continue with treatment and progress in their social functioning increases when they concurrently utilize MAT.

There are various signs to look out for if you are a veteran or if you feel that a loved one who is a veteran needs help with alcohol or drug addiction (including opioids). Some of them include the following:

Physical Signs

  • Changes in appearance.

  • Sudden weight loss.

  • Glazed or bloodshot eyes.

  • Physical withdrawal symptoms when not using the substance.

  • Changes in sleeping habits.

Behavioral Signs

  • Loss of enthusiasm and interest in loved ones and friends.

  • Less pleasure and satisfaction in hobbies.

  • Social isolation.

  • Failing to stop using drugs despite wanting or trying.

  • Continued the addictive drug in question despite legal and financial trouble.

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Accessing VA Benefits for SUD & Mental Health Rehab

Integrated Mental Health and SUD Rehab Using Military Benefits

The VA offers treatment alternatives for mental health issues and drug use disorders to qualified ex-members of the armed forces. These initiatives provide veterans an opportunity to access various inpatient and outpatient treatments.

Recovery therapies may also be covered by TRICARE coverage with prior approval and a finding of medical or psychological necessity. Acute residential psychiatric treatment may be reimbursed for up to 45 days, inpatient rehab for three weeks, and detox services for up to a week. A maximum of sixty sessions of group therapy and fifteen visits with the patient’s family as an outpatient are also provided.

You may use this website, www.va.gov, to submit an application for VA services and benefits, check your benefits status, and access various services. You can enroll at www.Login.gov or sign in using your eBenefits sign-in number. This site also enables veterans to carry out self-service transactions.

  • Verifying the status of compensation.

  • Access to pension claim information.

  • Enrolling in the GI Bill.

Veterans and active service members (and their family members) can also carry out other self-service transactions on this site, including obtaining copies of military records (DD214), civil service preference letters, and other personal data.

For more information on VA benefits, get in touch with your nearest VA facility, the VA MHD (Mental Health Department), or get in touch with our admission team.

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Our caring treatment navigators are standing by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week ready to help you or your loved one. When you call Rolling Hills Recovery Center you can trust that you will find the help you need – at no cost or obligation to choose our program. Get started right now.

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Preparing for Treatment

Our Easy Admissions Process

Treatment Planning
Assessment

Our clinical and medical teams review your personal history and circumstances in order to determine the best treatment plan based on your needs.

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Intake

During intake you will be asked some more questions about your background & medical history. This allows us to fully formulate your treatment plan.

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One of our caring team members will take you around the clinical facilities and introduce you to the rest of our team and current community. 

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We know that the first day of treatment can be overwhelming for anyone. We work with you to ensure you ease yourself into the treatment process.

Our Admissions Process

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Don't Put Off Getting Treatment. Start Right Away at Rolling Hills Recovery Center

If you or a loved one is a veteran struggling with addiction and ready to begin treatment, please get in touch with us by phone or fill out our online form. First, we’ll work with the people who care for you at the VA to ensure that your treatment plans are all in sync. After that, we’ll stay in touch with you and give you all the resources you need to prepare for treatment, including a list of what to bring.

Our specialists will ask you questions about your unique experience and answer your concerns privately as they develop a personalized treatment strategy. So don’t wait any longer; seek addiction treatment right away.

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Written By:

Angel Alexander

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Rolling Hills Recovery Center

Mental Health Writer

About Author:

Angel Alexander is certified in mental health studies and mental health coaching. Angel has over nine years of freelance writing experience and seven years in mental health and substance abuse writing. Angel is currently in her 2nd year of studies at Wallace Community College for the study of psychology.

Medically Reviewed By:

Dr. Carl Williams Ph.D., LCADC

Carl Williams, medical content reviewer at rolling hills recovery center
Rolling Hills Recovery Center

Expert Contributor

About Reviewer:

Dr. Williams presently serves on the board of Directors for two non-profit service organizations. He holds a Master’s degree in Human Services from Lincoln University, Philadelphia, Pa, and a Ph.D. with a concentration in Clinical Psychology from Union Institute and University. In Cincinnati, Ohio. He is licensed to practice addictions counseling in both New Jersey and Connecticut and has a pending application as a practicing Psychologist in New Jersey.

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