Rehab for veterans is outpatient treatment for addiction, PTSD or other mental health conditions in people who have served. At Lotus Recovery Treatment Center, veterans or active duty service members get therapy, psychiatric care and medication support while living at home. Most insurance is accepted, and admissions is open 24/7 at (805) 856-6690.
Standing Strong in Sobriety and Service.
Helping Veterans and Active Military Members Recover from Trauma, Poor Mental Health and Substance Use.
Substance use problems are not uncommon among active-duty and retired members of the armed forces. Service members face unique challenges that can put them at risk for substance use, such as stressful training, combat experience and deployment. Those who face multiple deployments, combat-related injuries and combat exposure are most at risk for substance use and mental health problems.
It’s unfortunate that the very people who sacrifice their lives for our country are often hesitant to seek support.
This is often the result of zero-tolerance policies, confidentiality concerns and stigma. For instance, service members can be dishonorably discharged and even face criminal charges if they have a positive drug test.
Lotus Recovery Treatment Center is committed to changing the future of substance use and mental health treatment for military service members. We want to be part of the solution, and this is why we have our Veteran & Active Military Addiction and Mental Health Outpatient Program. This program allows us to honor the bravery and sacrifice of our veterans by providing comprehensive support and care, while also addressing the unique needs and challenges of service members.
How Common is Substance Use Among Military Personnel?
More than one in ten veterans have been diagnosed with a substance use disorder (SUD), which is slightly higher than the general population. Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) are the most common SUDs among military personnel. Army data from a recent behavioral health report found that 22 percent of soldiers reported hazardous or heavy drinking. Other statistics indicate that service members may be more likely to misuse alcohol, as they see this substance as a way to de-stress and connect with other fellow service members.
Rates of illicit drug use among active duty have decreased in recent years, however, this is not the case for veterans. Once active duty military personnel leave military service, rates of illicit drug use increase. Marijuana accounts for the vast majority of illicit substance use.
Opioids and other prescription medications are also a concern. Opioid use disorders among military members often start with an opioid pain prescription following an injury during deployment. However, due to the addictive nature of opioids, they can cause dependency. The risk for this is greater in those who have a co-occurring mental health disorder like depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Veterans Rehab for PTSD and Addiction
PTSD and substance use often show up together in veterans. VA practice guidelines recommend treating both conditions together. The National Center for PTSD reports that about 11 to 20 out of every 100 veterans who served in Iraq or Afghanistan have PTSD in a given year. For Gulf War veterans, the figure is about 12 in 100. About 30 in 100 Vietnam veterans have had PTSD at some point in their lives.
Many veterans drink or use drugs to quiet flashbacks, nightmares or poor sleep. Over time, the substance use makes PTSD symptoms harder to manage. In VA data from 2013, 26.5 percent of patients with PTSD also had a substance use disorder.
Military sexual trauma (MST) is another cause of PTSD in veterans. It is more common in women veterans, but more than half of veterans with MST are men.
Our dual diagnosis program treats PTSD and addiction in one coordinated plan. PTSD treatment, relapse prevention and psychiatric care happen in the same program, so one team tracks your progress.
Why Military Members are at a Higher Risk for Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders
There are a number of reasons why substance use disorders and mental health disorders are more prevalent in service members than the general population. They include:
01
Deployment
Deployment is associated with smoking initiation, unhealthy drinking, drug use and other risky behaviors. Those with multiple deployments are most at risk for developing SUD.
02
Combat experience
Being actively deployed in a combat zone may involve numerous traumas, such as witnessing death or serious injury of others, becoming seriously injured themselves, partaking in hand-in-hand combat and more. To cope with these traumas, some people self-medicate with drugs or alcohol.
03
Psychological distress
Military service members are at a higher risk for psychological distress based on their experiences, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and traumatic brain injury. In fact, veterans are five times more likely to experience depression than civilians.
04
Military culture
Drinking is often an accepted part of military culture. It’s widely available on military bases, and there are many opportunities to participate in social drinking. Some service members also drink to relieve boredom.
05
Greater risk for injury
Because of the nature of military work, service members have a higher chance of getting injured. Treatments often include opioids, which have a high potential for misuse.
Therapies Used in Rehab for Veterans
Your plan in our rehab for veterans is built from therapies with strong research behind them for trauma or addiction.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): helps you spot the thoughts behind cravings, anger or low mood, then practice new responses.
- EMDR: a trauma-focused therapy that helps you process combat or service memories so they feel less intense.
- Seeking Safety: a present-focused therapy for people living with both trauma and substance use.
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): skills for handling stress, strong emotions or urges without drinking or using.
- Family therapy: helps a spouse, partner or parent understand PTSD and recovery, so home becomes part of your support.
- Medication-assisted treatment: Suboxone for opioid use, or Vivitrol for opioid or alcohol use.
Your psychiatric care is led by Dr. Codie Vassar, MD, a board-certified psychiatrist and our Medical Director. Dr. Vassar is a 15-year veteran of the Wisconsin Army National Guard Medical Corps, so you work with a doctor who knows military life firsthand.
United in Service, Bonded in Recovery. Trauma Treatment in Thousand Oaks
Lotus Recovery Treatment Center is pleased to have the opportunity to work with active-duty and veteran military personnel, helping them overcome their substance use and mental health challenges. We have a dedicated team that will create a safe and supportive environment where you can address your concerns and work through issues using therapeutic techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-informed care, holistic approaches and medication-assisted treatment. Contact our team today to learn more about our commitment toward helping the people that deserve it most—our nation’s military members.
Rehab for Active Duty Service Members
You do not have to wait until you separate from the military to get help. Navy policy, for example, lets active duty members self-report substance misuse for screening and treatment without fear of disciplinary action. The self-referral has to happen before any alcohol-related incident. It also has to go to an authorized person, such as military medical staff or the branch’s substance use program.
Other branches have their own self-referral rules, so check with your installation’s substance use program before you start.
Paying for Veterans Rehab
Lotus Recovery Treatment Center accepts most insurance. You do not need to be enrolled in VA health care to start treatment with us. You can verify your insurance online or call (805) 856-6690 to check your benefits.
Veterans Rehab FAQs
Can I go to rehab while on active duty without getting in trouble?
Yes, through your branch’s self-referral process. Navy policy, for example, protects members who self-refer before any alcohol-related incident from disciplinary action. Check your branch’s rules with your installation’s substance use program.
Do I need to be enrolled in VA health care to get treatment at Lotus?
No. You can start with private insurance, since most insurance is accepted. Admissions is open 24/7 at (805) 856-6690.
Can you treat PTSD and addiction at the same time?
Yes. Our dual diagnosis program treats PTSD and substance use in one coordinated plan. Trauma therapy, relapse prevention and psychiatric care all happen in the same program.
What should I do if I am in crisis right now?
Call 988 and press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line, or call 911 if you are in immediate danger. The line is free, confidential and open 24/7. You do not need VA health care to use it.