Using Veterans Affairs For Rehab

Nearly all Veterans made sacrifices while in the armed forces as a selfless service to our nation. Additionally, many enter the military without the thought of the future benefits they are entitled to once they return to civilian life. However, most Veterans know they are able to rely on the VA for some or all of their future medical care. 

The VA exists as a resource that supports Veterans even after they have left the service. But many Veterans don’t know addiction treatment is included in their benefits. To add, Veterans affairs drug rehab support options may not be very well known as well. Nevertheless, they are a very important benefit that Veterans struggling with a substance addiction should use. Lastly, this benefit is an essential part of Veteran care today. For instance, over 10 percent of Veterans are diagnosed with an addiction needing care.

Treatment Options for Veterans with Addiction and Mental Health Disorders

At Sunrise Veterans, we specialize in treating addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders in Veterans. Moreover, we understand Veterans have unique needs when it comes to treatment. Thus, our team works with each client in order to build the most effective addiction treatment. As a result, this helps address their individual needs.

Additionally, Veterans are able to choose from a range of treatment options at Sunrise Veterans, including:

Take Advantage of Your Veteran Affairs Drug Rehab Benefits at Sunrise Veterans

When it comes to seeking addiction treatment, many people hesitate to get the help that they need. For one, they worry about how they are going to pay for treatment. But thanks to the Missions Act, Veterans are able to get addiction treatment at no cost to them. Further, while you must go through the appropriate channels at the VA, the effort is otherwise well worth the reward of getting treatment. 

Consequently, long-term addiction can cause a range of negative health effects. This includes chronic mental health issues, to an increased risk of death due to overdose. Don’t let addiction continue to control your life. Get the help that you need to overcome your addiction with the help of Veterans affairs drug rehab benefits and Sunrise Veterans’ treatment programs.

How Can Veterans Use VA Benefits for Addiction Treatment?

Veterans who want to use their VA drug rehab benefits through the Missions Act, should take certain steps. The first step involves receiving a substance use disorder diagnosis. Once diagnosed with substance use disorder, Sunrise Veterans can work with the client to develop a treatment plan to address co-occuring mental health and addiction disorders. 

Sometimes, Veterans will be required to complete treatment at a VA facility before they can be referred out to a private facility. In some cases, others may be able to skip this step. However, the VA makes decisions on a case-by-case basis. Once Veterans get a referral for outside services, they need to ensure that their choice of service is on the paperwork. This important step ensures that the VA will cover addiction treatment without the Veteran having to worry about out-of-pocket costs. This way, they can focus entirely on getting the treatment they need. 

The Connection Between Veterans and Addiction

Veterans affairs drug rehab options exist because so many of those who have served our country end up with some sort of substance abuse problem. The daily stress of military life, deployments, combat, life-threatening injuries, chronic pain, and more all combine to increase a Veteran’s risk of addiction. Sadly, this risk is nearly twice what it is for civilians. 

Some Veterans end up with an addiction as a result of excessive alcohol consumption while still in the service.

In contrast, other Veterans end up with a prescription drug addiction as a result of injuries or mental health issues. No matter what leads a Veteran to have problems with substance abuse, it is extremely important that Veterans seek the help that they are entitled to.

PTSD and Substance Abuse

Veterans who have experienced trauma, whether from combat-related experiences, military sexual trauma, or other traumatic event have a greatly increased risk of developing post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. More than 2 in 10 Veterans are diagnosed with PTSD each year, due to a range of symptoms that can include:

What We Treat

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Feelings of shame, guilt, worthlessness, or hopelessness
  • Flashbacks
  • Intense, inappropriate outbursts of anger
  • Insomnia
  • Nightmare or night terrors
  • Thoughts of self-harm or suicide

It is estimated that at least one third of Veterans with PTSD also have a substance abuse problem. For many Veterans, this happens because they try to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol in order to cope with symptoms of mental health problems, rather than seeking professional help. 

What makes it even more difficult for Veterans with PTSD to stop abusing drugs or alcohol is that the withdrawal symptoms they experience make their mental health symptoms worse. This leads them to keep using drugs or alcohol in order to avoid side effects of untreated mental health concerns. Veterans affairs residential rehab benefits give Veterans a resource to get help for both addiction and PTSD symptoms, leading to a more effective treatment plan.

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