Veterans
Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Programs for Veterans
Drug and alcohol treatment programs for veterans can provide them with the social and medical rehabilitation necessary in order for them to be content in themselves and the lives that they lead. The programs that are offered for veterans include:
- Rehabilitation
- Detoxification
- Psychiatric care
Veterans who are returning back home from the warfare often face a series of challenges when attempting to fall back into their former routines and lives. Acclimatizing is not always as easy for some as it is for others, and being in combat can take a serious and devastating mental toll on veterans. The trauma and shock of being on the battlefield often paint a vivid image in the minds of veterans which can be hard to mitigate once they are seen. PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) is often a result. In turn, many veterans resort to excessive drinking and drug use in order to cope. Addiction treatment for veterans can help veterans overcome their reliance on drugs and alcohol.
Effects of Addiction on Families Post-Combat
For the families of those who are returning from combat, it’s a very exciting thing for them to be home. What is not often expected, though, is the PTSD that affects millions of people across the nation when they come home from war. The negative effects of PTSD not only include the emotional damage but also substantial brain injuries. These can take a dramatic toll on those who suffered life-altering sceneries while at war.
It’s important to realize that there are veteran’s addiction treatment programs available for those who turn to drugs and alcohol after combat and become reliant on them. Drug and alcohol abuse are scarily common amongst post-war vets. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), from the years 2004-2007, 7.1 percent of veterans had developed a substance abuse disorder. Many of these individuals do not know where to turn when they realize that their addiction has taken over their lives which in turn have left them feeling isolated and alone.
Soldiers who have come back from the battlefield are largely susceptible to suffering from mental health issues as well. They may not get diagnosed with any sort of disorder as they don’t always seek the care of a psychiatrist or doctor upon arrival home. In turn, they resort to a substance of abuse that will numb the pain of the mental images in their mind during their time overseas.
The events that these brave soldiers witnessed involved being exposed to ongoing scenes of horrible violence. In turn, they become ‘shell-shocked’ and can no longer feel a sense of mental relaxation or ease. They are always stressed out and on high-alert. Drugs and alcohol, then, become an easy and accessible coping mechanism.
Some of the types of care that a veteran can receive are:
- Brief outpatient counseling
- Intensive outpatient recovery
- Family and marriage counseling
- Drug subscription therapy
- Medically-assisted detox
- Relapse prevention care
- And much more
There are veterans programs available for those who have resorted to drug and alcohol abuse post-warfare. These programs work with individuals at all levels of recovery in order to ensure their success in sobriety. With effective addiction treatment care for veterans, these individuals can regain control of their lives and reconnect with their loved ones who have also been suffering from the change in the character of their loved one.
If you are looking for drug and alcohol addiction treatment help, contact WhiteSands Treatment today.