Veteran Drug Rehab in Arkansas

Substance abuse and addiction are serious and somewhat common problems among veterans in the United States.

Because of this, many alcohol and drug rehab centers offer specialized programs that address the special needs and challenges that veterans experience during recovery.

Veterans in Arkansas have multiple options available to them when it comes to specialized treatment, whether they need inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, detoxification, or medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for an opioid or alcohol use disorder.

While not all U.S. veterans are exposed to war or violence during their time of service, many of them are, and the impacts can be devastating both physically and mentally.

These physical and mental injuries can leave veterans in pain and feeling lost as they try to readjust to civilian life, sometimes turning to drugs or alcohol for relief.

Veteran substance abuse and mental illness rates include:

• 9% of veterans report experiencing severe pain on a regular basis that calls for the use of prescription medications.
• 65% of veterans who enter treatment cite alcohol as the substance they most commonly abuse.
• Other substances commonly abused by veterans are prescription opioids and benzodiazepines, marijuana, synthetic opioids like heroin, and methamphetamines.
• Veterans with a substance use disorder are also 3 to 4 times more likely to be diagnosed with PTSD or depression as well.
• The suicide rate of veterans is 1.5 times that of the general population, with an average of 20 veterans dying by suicide every day in the U.S.
• It is estimated that 7% of all veterans will experience PTSD at some point following their service.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, there are approximately 220,000 veterans currently residing in Arkansas.

This leaves a potentially large number of veterans in Arkansas who are living with addiction, as it is estimated that 1 in 10 veterans will develop a substance use disorder during their life.

In addition to substance use, veterans also often struggle with issues like homelessness, lack of employment opportunities, and poor access to healthcare, all of which can be risk factors for substance use.

There are many possible reasons why veterans are at a disproportionate risk for substance abuse than individuals from the civilian population.

The simple answer is that veterans are exposed to situations and trauma that people in the general population typically have no experience with and cannot relate to, and can end up becoming very isolated after their service ends as a result.

Risk factors for veterans and substance abuse can include:

• Deployment-related stress
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Multiple deployments or a very long deployment
• Pain management
• Lack of social support
• Mental health issues
• Easy access to substances
• Domestic violence
• Exposure to combat or violence
• Military culture
• Difficulty adjusting or re-adjusting to civilian life

In terms of substance abuse treatment programs in Arkansas for veterans, there are multiple options available.

Veterans will first want to choose between an inpatient or outpatient program, depending on the severity of their addiction and how much supervision and care they need.

Treatment services you can expect to find in addiction programs for veterans include:

• Short-term or long-term residential treatment
• Outpatient treatment, including intensive outpatient programs (IOP)
• Medically monitored detox
• Methadone treatment
• Case management
• Medication management
• Aftercare
• Relapse prevention training
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Group therapy
• 12-step meetings
• Motivational interviewing
• Family therapy
• Telehealth services
• Transitional homes and halfway houses

In addition to the above services, rehab programs that are specialized for veterans will also offer specialized services that address the unique challenges of veterans and service members.

Veterans may feel more comfortable in programs with other veterans, where they can participate in group therapy and support groups with people who have shared experiences.

It is common for veterans to be left with mental health issues after spending time at war or in a difficult or lengthy deployment away from loved ones.

Mental health issues also commonly co-occur with substance use disorders, as people may lean on drugs or alcohol as a way of coping with their negative emotions and thoughts.

Mental health/behavioral health disorders that often co-occur with substance use include:

• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Depression
• Panic disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Eating disorders
• Mood disorders

Dual diagnosis treatment is a type of treatment that aims to specifically address this co-occurrence of disorders, by determining the root of the problem and treating it specifically.

Behavioral therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) are often used in dual diagnosis treatment.

Certain mental health disorders may also call for the use of medications as a means of treatment, such as antidepressants and or antianxiety medications.

Specialized programs for veterans are often found at large hospital systems, including VA hospitals or university hospitals, or in smaller, private medical centers.

Resources for locating veterans rehab programs in Arkansas include:

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) — This site offers a comprehensive database of treatment centers throughout the U.S., and also offers a 24/7 crisis hotline.
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — The VA provides a directory of programs for veterans that are offered directly through the VA and which may potentially be covered with VA benefits.

Veterans can also check with their primary health care providers or any medical providers they see through the VA for recommendations or referrals.

When choosing a veterans rehab program in Arkansas, make sure to choose a program that possesses marks of quality care and which is reputable in the area.

Also make note of what types of specialized programs they have available to veterans and whether the staff is made up of veterans as well.

Signs of a quality drug and alcohol rehab program include:

• Positive testimonials from past clients
• High ratings on Google or Facebook
• Low staff-to-client ratio
• High rate of graduation among clients
• National accreditations
• Designation and a non-profit organization
• Use of evidence-based treatments

Financial barriers are often one of the largest and most frequent barriers to come between veterans and the addiction treatment that they need.

However, veterans need not worry about affordability when it comes to addiction treatment, as they can often find their treatment partially, if not fully, covered.

TRICARE is a type of military insurance that is available to both veterans and active-duty members of the military, as well as their families.

TRICARE covers mental health services as well as comprehensive medical care, and can be used on substance abuse treatment where accepted.

This type of health insurance is very similar to Medicaid or Medicare.

Many veterans also qualify for health and disability benefits directly through the VA, although the amount of coverage that people will qualify for may vary based on several factors.

The benefits that the VA provides cover a variety of mental health and behavioral health services, including treatment for substance abuse.

Veterans can also contact the VA to be connected with specialized veterans rehab programs in their area.

Some veterans may have access to private health insurance plans, either through their employer or by their own funding.

With private insurance, veterans and other individuals essentially have a choice of any recovery center that they like, with the exception of certain luxury treatment centers that only accept cash or self-payment.

Making the decision to start addiction treatment is never easy for anyone, including veterans.

Some of the barriers that veterans face when seeking recovery programs include:

• Financial barriers
• Geographic limitations
• Stigma
• Co-occurring disorders
• Age- and gender-related barriers
• Waitlists
• Lack of support from loved ones

The following are organizations in Arkansas that can assist veterans with a variety of services, including substance use disorders, homelessness, unemployment, and financial assistance.

Arkansas veterans have access to the following resources:

• Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System SUD Program — This program through the VA helps veterans to recognize, treat, and manage their substance use disorders.
• Arkansas Central Office of Alcoholics Anonymous — This site provides a directory of meetings, access to virtual AA meetings, and resources to order and access 12-step literature.
• Veterans Crisis Line — A national, 24/7 free and confidential hotline for veterans and their loved ones, this crisis hotline offers assistance during times of crisis.
• Arkansas Freedom Fund — This organization provides and supports recreational activities and events which aim to rehabilitate and restore physical and mental well-being to veterans and their families.

If you or your loved one is a veteran in need of assistance, please know that there is hope and recovery is absolutely possible.

Simply call our phone number or helpline at any time if you need assistance in locating a specialized rehab program or treatment facility for veterans in your area of Arkansas.

Areas of Arkansas that we serve include Little Rock, Fayetteville, North Little Rock, and many others. Reach out to us today to be connected with top addiction treatment options near you.