Drug Detox for Veterans

Challenges Veterans Face

Veterans face serious challenges regarding substance use disorders, especially if they have lived through combat exposure or other incidents that caused them to feel their life or the life of others was in danger. Special programs for veteran rehab, using mental health treatments and medical drug or alcohol detox plans, can assist people with these issues in an inpatient or outpatient treatment program.

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, call WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab today at 877.969.1993 to learn how we can help.

Veterans and Substance Abuse

During active duty, it is common for service members to drink to excess and develop unhealthy coping mechanisms to deal with the realities of being in combat, living away from home, and being under constant pressure. Added to these coping mechanisms are undiagnosed mental health issues and PTSD, creating difficulties reconnecting with loved ones, managing a work-life balance, and identifying a problem with substance abuse.

Treatment programs, addiction rehab, and alcohol and drug rehab can help veterans with a drug or alcohol addiction. A dual diagnosis rehab plan can help with PTSD and substance abuse, using evidence-based treatments in a professional rehab facility.

Prescription drug abuse is one of the most common forms of addiction. Check out our list of Barbituate Examples below:

Barbiturates Examples

What Happens in Drug Detox?

At WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab, our drug detox for veterans and alcohol detox program begins at the moment of admission, so it is as quick and comfortable as possible. You will:

• Meet with an admissions coordinator and nurse to find out about you, your level of addiction, and your physical health so we can create a program that is right for your needs
• Give your consent to continue, then immediately check in to your private room, where the rest of the admissions process begins within 24 hours of admission
• Begin a slow taper off all substances
• Begin group therapy on day one if you wish (you do not have to)
• Meet with your primary therapist within the first 48 hours
• Be provided with controlled medications to keep you comfortable and safe
• Meet daily with an addictionologist to ensure everything is going smoothly
• Stay for 5 to 10 days on average
• Have medical care and psychiatric care seven days a week, with nurses on site 24 hours per day
• Have a smooth, easy transition into rehab once you are stable enough to move forward in your treatment

How Long Does Drug Detox Last?

The length of a drug detox program is usually five to ten days, but the timeline depends on several factors, including:

• Which substances you are detoxing from
• How much you were using and how often
• Whether you were mixing them with other substances like alcohol
• The method of use (snorting, injecting, eating, etc.)
• Physical and biological factors

When you check into your detox center for treatment, you will first undergo a screening process. The professionals there will tell you more about what to expect before you begin, as they will have all the necessary information to proceed.

Why Choose a Medical Detox Program

A medical detox program is safer than stopping using drugs and alcohol. Withdrawal symptoms from many substances can range from uncomfortable body aches and sensations to pain, vomiting, hallucinations, and even tricky issues like seizures or psychosis.

In a medical detox program, you will:

• Stay in a comfortable and safe, 100% sober facility for the full duration of your detox
• Be away from any triggers and substances, so that relapsing is not an “easy” option
• Have 24-hour medical oversight, care, and treatment as needed
• Receive FDA-approved prescription medications when needed, to help with any discomfort, insomnia, pain, or dangerous symptoms that may occur during detox, keeping you comfortable and able to rest as your brain and body recalibrate
• Begin therapy right away, so you can begin to look into the underlying issues, such as trauma, that caused the addiction
• Have access to counselors to help you deal with the emotional aspects that come with detoxing
• Be provided with dual diagnosis treatments if you are experiencing co-occurring mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, mood disorders, or other mental illnesses. This may include psychiatric medication and specialized therapy
• Be fully nourished and hydrated as your body rebalances so that you can regain your health
• Be cared for my nonjudgmental, trauma-informed staff and caregivers, all of whom will ensure you feel listened to and safe, answering all your questions and obtaining consent before beginning any treatment

Drug Detox at Whitesands

At WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab treatment centers, we have an entire military and veteran medical drug and alcohol detox program to help you stop using drugs and alcohol long-term when followed by an inpatient rehab, intensive outpatient rehab, or partial hospitalization program. Our intake experts will work with you to determine the level of care that will best work with your unique needs, ensuring you are safe, comfortable, and taken care of through the entire continuum of care.

Contact our drug rehab center today to learn more about our veterans’ drug rehab inpatient center and the amenities we offer. There is a program that suits everybody at WhiteSands, and with our long-term sober VA health and VA community connections, you will never be alone in your recovery.

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.