Making a decision to protect your country is an honorable choice. However, in the process of being a soldier, you may have experienced trauma while in combat. In some cases, this can cause veterans to turn to drugs and alcohol to numb the pain associated with certain memories.
A veteran’s support program will provide you with the tools you need to acknowledge your past traumas and, if necessary, begin the addiction recovery process.
Vertava Health offers several veteran support services. Contact Vertava Health today by calling us at 844.451.0263 to learn how our facilities can provide you with the help needed to recover from past traumas and addiction.
An Overview of Veterans and Addiction
It is not uncommon for veterans to struggle with anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In addition, it is also common for veterans with these struggles to become addicted to drugs or alcohol.
Here are some common symptoms of veterans who will need mental health and addiction support:
- Flashbacks
- Hopelessness
- Insomnia
- Relationship problems
- Aggressive behavior
- Memory problems
- Self-destructive behaviors such as inflicting self-harm or engaging in substance abuse
Memories of past trauma often trigger the symptoms. Veteran support programs will provide dedicated guidance from medical and mental health professionals who will help them navigate painful experiences without resorting to drugs or alcohol.
Veteran Support Programs Will Help with Addiction Recovery
The best way to overcome addiction is to acknowledge triggers and create a plan to navigate these challenges in a healthy way.
A veteran in addiction recovery will be provided with supportive medical staff to rid their bodies of toxins associated with substance abuse. Mental health practitioners will be available as well. They will offer individual and group therapy options to allow veterans to realize that they are not alone in their experiences.
Finally, in group therapy, veterans will learn new behaviors with their peers. Veterans can participate in a number of therapy programs such as art, music, and mindfulness to further support their healing. The behaviors and activities that veterans in addiction recovery have learned can be later transitioned through their sobriety. Family therapy is also available to help veterans, spouses, and children communicate these challenges.
In addiction recovery, healthcare practitioners will use a variety of evidence-based modalities such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).
Learn More About Vertava Health Today
Many programs focus specifically on veterans and addiction treatment. But at Vertava Health, our 90-day curriculum will provide veterans with the tools necessary to live a life in recovery. Our treatment program occurs in three distinct phases that include:
- Understanding addiction — This phase occurs during the first 30 days of treatment. Veterans will learn to acknowledge why they have resorted to drugs and alcohol.
- Coping skills — This is the second phase of our veteran treatment program. Veterans will learn positive coping skills. They will learn to recognize their triggers and apply appropriate coping skills to help them overcome challenges without relying on drugs or alcohol.
- Life in recovery — This is the final phase. In recovery, veterans will still have access to mental health practitioners and a wide network of sober peers who can support them through the process.
Trauma, addiction, and recovery are all experiences that are specific and unique. Our program considers your individual experiences and needs and then works within our model to support your healing journey. Veterans in addiction recovery also need support as they transition out of treatment programs. Contact 844.451.0263 to learn about how our veteran support program will guide you to live a life focused on navigating your pain.