Veteran Drug Rehab in Florida

Veterans often come back from service with trauma, depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems that can lead to substance abuse and addiction in some.

Any Florida veteran concerned about their substance abuse may want to visit an addiction treatment center to receive various types of physical and mental healthcare options.

Florida treatment programs for drug use may include outpatient and inpatient programs, detoxification, alcohol rehab, and accept insurance like TRICARE and VA health benefits.

Military service increases a veteran’s risk of addiction due to stress and post-traumatic stress disorder, among other risk factors. Self-medication with drugs and alcohol may seem to provide relief to stressors for some veterans.

Mental health issues, struggles with adapting to civilian life, and much more may contribute to alcohol and drug abuse. Even active duty soldiers may experience addiction.

These risk factors make an accredited treatment facility a powerful option for many veterans. Veteran-based treatment focuses on addressing the unique needs of veterans.

Veteran substance abuse rates in the U.S. include:

• 10% of all veterans have been diagnosed with substance use disorders.
• 8.6% of all veterans with an addiction self-report their disease and receive care.
• 3.5% of all veterans report abusing marijuana in the previous month.
• 1.7% of all veterans report abusing drugs other than marijuana in the previous month.
• 50% of all drug abuse among veterans is cannabis or marijuana use.
• 10% of all veteran substance abuse treatment is for heroin addiction.
• 6% of all veteran substance abuse treatment is for cocaine.
• 4% of all active duty members admit abusing opioid prescription drugs.
• 3.8 million prescriptions for opioid pain medications are written for veterans.
• 9% of all veterans report feeling extreme pain, which may lead to substance abuse.

According to the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, there are 1,492,000 veterans living in the state of Florida. Only about 164,000 of these veterans are women.

Florida currently has the third-largest population of veterans in America, with 1,148,000 wartime veterans, 344,000 peacetime veterans, and 24,000 WWII vets.

As an estimated 10 veterans are living with a substance use disorder, that means appropriately 114,800 vets in Florida may need drug rehab, detox, outpatient treatment, and aftercare.

These statistics are concerning, because service members may experience higher levels of homelessness, violence, and PTSD, which are all risk factors for addiction.

Risk factors for substance abuse in military veterans can vary depending on an individual’s experiences. However, there are many factors that can make substance abuse risks higher.

Behavioral health problems, co-occurring disorders, and pain may all affect veterans and require treatment like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dual diagnosis care.

Risk factors for substance abuse in veterans include:

• Trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Persistent pain caused by wartime injuries
• Psychological and physical damage
• Homelessness and depression
• High unemployment rates
• Temporary or permanent disability
• Emotional disconnect from loved ones
• Difficulties integrating back into a civilian lifestyle
• Military sexual trauma

Addiction care programs for veterans can include multiple modalities, including evidence-based care, holistic treatment, physical health care, nutritional care, and mental illness treatment.

A rehab program may provide multiple multiple treatment services and treatment options, including inpatient and outpatient programs, to help veterans overcome addiction more successfully.

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

• Medically monitored detoxification
• Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
• Detox support
• Inpatient treatment
• Outpatient treatment
• Partial hospitalization programs (PHP)
• Intensive outpatient programs (IOP)
• Individual therapy
• Group therapy
• 12-step facilitation
• Peer support teams
• Motivational interviewing (MI)
• Methadone management
• Behavioral adjustments (CBT and DBT)
• Relapse prevention support
• Aftercare

Veteran-focused drug and alcohol rehab centers offer treatments designed specifically for active duty and retired veterans.

These programs may provide high comfort for veterans by surrounding them with people who understand their needs.

Drug abuse and mental health disorders often result in co-occurring disorders.

Dual diagnosis treatment can include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), which may help identify the roots of a person’s addiction and make treatment easier.

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

• Anxiety disorders
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Depression and suicidal thoughts
• Bipolar disorder
• Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Eating disorders
• Gambling or sex addiction
• Trauma and PTSD

Dual diagnosis care programs can diagnose a veteran’s co-occurring disorders, identify how they affect their addiction, and create a treatment plan to help them recover.

Behavioral therapies provide an effective way of managing a veteran’s addiction by teaching them better coping behaviors and replacing negative patterns of behavior.

Beyond behavioral health care, veterans may also receive antidepressant and anti-anxiety medications, relapse medical support, and alternative therapies like acupuncture.

Substance abuse care may take place in specialized facilities, veterans hospitals, and even major hospital systems. Often, bigger cities like Orlando or Hollywood have the most options.

If you need help identifying an appropriate veteran rehab facility, you can use various resources that streamline your search and make it easier.

Resources for locating veterans rehab programs in Florida include:

• SAMHSA — SAMHSA’s Region 4 site includes Florida and many other southern states and provides multiple addiction therapy centers that can help you.
• Florida Department of Veterans Affairs — This site includes a database of various substance abuse facilities in Florida that can make your search a little easier.
• Substance Use Treatment for Veterans — Use this veteran-based rehab search tool to identify a treatment facility in Florida that meets your needs.

Each of these tools can help Florida veterans identify treatment programs that meet their needs.

Veterans can choose among luxury rehab, adventure therapy, or veteran-based care to manage their addiction therapy needs.

When trying to find a suitable drug rehab option in Florida, veterans can research their options and identify programs that work well for their needs.

You may want a program run by veterans that serves veterans or one that focuses on individual therapy. Pay attention to staff quality, as well as accreditations, available at each facility.

Signs of a quality rehab program include:

• Accreditations from trusted sources, such as CARF, the Joint Commission, or SAMHSA
• Multiple certifications and licenses from national and Florida sources
• High customer praise and strong reviews from previous visitors
• Low doctor-to-patient ratios that make treatment more personal
• Specialized programs that focus specifically on veterans
• Evidence-based care and alternative options, like massage therapy
• High success rates based on relapse prevention
• Strong ratings from business groups like the Better Business Bureau

Pay attention to specialized veteran care programs, including trauma-based treatment, to ensure that you receive care appropriate to your needs.

Veterans seeking drug abuse treatment may find multiple available insurance options that help them. These include options like TRICARE insurance, VA benefits, or private insurance.

Make sure that you talk with a rehab facility before assuming that they take your policy. Many rehab centers will accept TRICARE and VA benefits, but some may only accept private insurance options.

TRICARE is a military insurance that works like Medicaid or Medicare but only for active duty military members and veterans, as well as their family.

This insurance will cover most substance abuse treatment, depending on a veteran’s coverage limits and what care the treatment center provides.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or VA provides inexpensive healthcare options for veterans and active duty service members, including drug rehab programs.

Coverage levels may vary depending on your plan and the type of care you need, such as inpatient or outpatient treatment.

Talk with your local VA to learn more about what they cover for rehab facilities and to see if they have accreditation.

Some drug rehab centers don’t accept TRICARE or other military insurance plans. For instance, luxury drug rehab centers may only accept private health insurance or self-pay.

According to HealthCare.gov, Florida veterans have access to multiple private insurance plans, like BlueCross BlueShield, Cigna, and UnitedHealthOne.

Florida veterans may experience many barriers that keep them out of rehab facilities and affect their quality of life. These frustrations can make seeking treatment harder for veterans.

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

• Poor mental health care or inadequate treatment options
• Minimal funding or financial resource options
• Stigma from other veterans or the general community
• Misunderstanding or lack of support from loved ones

Thankfully, many veterans drug rehab resources are available in Florida. These include VA benefits, SAMHSA support, and veteran-focused rehab facilities that understand your needs.

Florida veterans that need extra help and support for addiction or any of life’s challenges can work with multiple organizations to assist in their recovery.

The following resources can help with mental health concerns, homelessness support, employment assistance, financial assistance, and more.

Florida veterans have access to the following resources:

• County Veteran Services Offices — There are many CVSO locations throughout Florida that can provide short-term financial help to veterans and other assistance programs.
• Florida Coalition to End Homelessness — Veterans experiencing homelessness may get support from this resource, including living options and job training.
• Employment Services — Florida’s Department of Veterans’ Affairs provides employment services for veterans, including career identification and help with job training.
• Discharge Upgrades — This service helps Florida veterans upgrade their discharge, including using VA benefits to find a better place to live after leaving the military.
• Veterans’ Home Recruitment — Veterans interested in healthcare careers may use this resource to find a career in veterans’ homes, serving others like them.
• Florida Veterans’ Benefits Guide — This resource provides a complete explanation of benefits that Florida veterans may use, including health insurance and more.
• Crisis Center of Tampa Bay — Veterans experiencing emotional trauma or other crises may use this resource to manage their emotional concerns.
• Women Veteran Support — Florida’s Department of Veterans’ Affairs includes support for female veterans, including gender-based addiction treatment and counseling.

If you or a loved one are experiencing drug abuse and need help with finding outpatient programs or residential treatment, understand that help is available for you.

Call our helpline now to learn more about the right level of care for you. We can help you find veteran-based treatment for drug or alcohol abuse.