Call 888-647-0579 to speak with an alcohol or drug abuse counselor.

Who Answers?

Treatment Options for Veterans

Many veterans experience the ravages of war and combat first-hand. Most anyone put through these types of experiences carries some form of emotional and even psychological scarring. Couple this with the wide range of physical injuries that take place, and it is little wonder drug addiction affects so many veterans in one form or another.

Not unlike anyone else struggling with drug addiction, there are treatment options for veterans to help them overcome. Doing so can mean the difference between struggling with a lifelong addiction and living a drug-free life. Fortunately, the U.S. Veterans Administration makes needed treatment help readily available for veterans wanting to break an addiction habit.

Drug Abuse Causes

Treatment is available to veterans with substance abuse and mental health issues!

Alcohol, street drugs and even prescription medications all offer easily accessible ways for veterans to escape from painful memories and difficult emotions. For veterans who have been injured in combat, prescription medications intended as treatments can quickly become the source of an uncontrollable habit. Whether dealing with difficult emotions or treating a medical condition, alcohol and drug abuse issues create whole other sets of problems, both physical and psychological.

Many veterans suffer from a range of psychological conditions, some of which include post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety disorders. These conditions can drive most anyone to alcohol and/or drugs as a means to self-medicate distressing symptoms. Over time, ongoing drug use starts to affect a person’s health, relationships and ability to hold down a job.

Veterans affected by drug abuse and addiction issues struggle with chronic conditions that only become progressively worse with time. Treatment options are many, though each person’s individual needs determine which types of treatment will work best.

The Veterans Administration or VA consists of a network of treatment facilities located in most every area of the country. Veterans affected by pain pill addictions, alcoholism, psychological disorders or drug addiction can find the types of supports and guidance needed to overcome drug abuse problems.

Veterans Administration Services

Veterans seeking help from the Veterans Administration undergo a comprehensive assessment process to determine a person’s specific treatment needs, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs site. The types of services offered by the VA cover a wide range of treatment approaches as well as assistance benefits. Some of the services offered through the VA include:

Marriage and family counseling
Outpatient therapy
Outpatient drug treatment
Detoxification services
Support groups
Medication-assisted therapies for drug addiction problems
Residential care
Aftercare drug treatment services
Vocational training assistance
Job search assistance
Housing assistance

VA Drug Treatment Options

For the most part, VA drug treatment options are the same as those offered anywhere else in terms of the types of facilities and treatments used. As drug addictions can take any number of different forms, some veterans may best benefit from receiving multiple treatment approaches, such as therapy and medication while others may only require therapy treatment.

As many veterans develop psychological problems from experiences had while serving in the military, counseling treatment plays a central role in helping veterans overcome both psychological and substance abuse problems.

More Treatment & Detox Articles

Parents, administrators fight binge drinking

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools have a new program to tackle binge drinking in teens, which seems to start before they head to college, according to a national survey. The survey by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said 18 percent of 12 to 20-year-olds are binge drinkers. The school system is using federal money for….

It's cruel reality TV, and the price of failure is terrifying

In the real world, there is no such thing as a typical addict. Never forget there’s a story behind each person falling prey to the demon rum or drugs or any other of the known vices. Once the benders blur together and substance abuse takes over someone’s life, the addiction becomes a social problem –….

10 easy steps to safe drinking

With the holiday festivities in full gear, many people will most likely become victims or causalities of careless drinking. No one can claim that drinking too much alcohol is good for your health – especially as you get older. For some people, careless drinking has put them in a situation where they have been advised….

Teenage drug addiction

MEET MRINAL from Kanpur. He is 16 years old and has already been to a rehabilitation centre. He started drinking and smoking since he was 13. Meet Manoj and Vijay from Delhi, aged 17. They are famous among their group for throwing big parties with unlimited flow of alcohol and marijuana. These characters have not….

How much alcohol can you drink before killing yourself?

Police in Little Compton, Rhode Island responded to a call of driving a vehicle without the owner’s consent. The suspect was at his mother’s home. When police arrived at the home, the man, 39-year-old Jonathan M. Holmes was extremely unsteady on his feet, seemingly drunk. On the way to the stationhouse Mr. Holmes slumped over….