Veteran Drug Rehab in Kansas

The issue of drug and alcohol addiction is quite prevalent among U.S. veterans, and Kansas veterans are no exception.

Unfortunately, previous service members face many risk factors for developing substance abuse issues due to certain stressors and effects of their work.

While the journey to an addiction-free lifestyle can be overwhelming and challenging, there are many treatment services available to veterans, and some are even covered by VA health benefits or TRICARE.

If you or your loved one is struggling with alcohol and drug abuse, keep reading to learn more about veteran risk factors, treatment options, and more.

Substance abuse is quite common in veterans.

In fact, more than one in ten veterans have been diagnosed with substance use disorder. This is higher than the rate of the general population and does not account for the countless individuals struggling with addiction who have not received help.

Mental health disorders are also very common in veterans which can lead to a higher risk of developing an addiction. In fact, veterans with substance abuse issues are three to four times more likely to receive a PTSD or depression diagnosis.

Over 80% of veterans with substance abuse issues struggle with alcohol addiction and 26.9% with illicit drugs.

Opioids are some of the most common drugs abused by veterans, with oxycodone being the most commonly abused. Methadone, marijuana, and benzodiazepines are commonly abused among this demographic.

There are approximately 176,444 veterans in Kansas or about 8.1% of the population. Of the hundreds of thousands of people in this group, 3.6% are unemployed, 6.7% live in poverty, and about 161 are homeless.

Such factors are not only more likely to lead veterans to addiction but can add extra stress on top of the struggles of substance abuse.

The experience of being an active service member creates unique risk factors for veterans that the general population usually doesn’t face.

Risk factors for addiction in veterans include:

• Mental health disorders such as PTSD
• Trauma
• Abuse
• Chronic pain
• Sleep disturbances
• Injuries
• Homelessness
• Poverty
• Obstacles re-entering society

With so many factors in play, many veterans may find themselves on a path toward addiction without even realizing it. Simply trying to treat chronic pain or a mental health issue can quickly spiral into substance abuse.

These days, there are thankfully a variety of treatment options for alcohol and drug addiction. The main two types of treatment are inpatient or residential treatment and outpatient rehab.

Inpatient rehab offers full-time medical supervision and care in a specialized facility where the individual will temporarily live. Outpatient treatment usually only requires the individual to be at the facility for part of each day or week. There are also some short-term and in-between options like partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs (IOP).

Other treatment options widely offered are medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and detoxification.

MAT is a type of treatment that helps the individual recover from addiction by using medication, such as buprenorphine, to help taper them off the addictive substance. Similarly, detox is a kind of care that treats the symptoms of withdrawal.

Some facilities also offer special programs for veterans designed to care for the unique needs of previous service members in need of addiction treatment. Once you’ve recovered, many care centers also offer aftercare resources like sober living facilities or transitional living.

Mental health disorders are commonly seen alongside substance abuse in veterans. This condition is commonly known as co-occurring disorders or dual diagnoses.

While the most frequently discussed issue for veterans may be PTSD, many also face disorders like depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, eating disorders, and panic disorders.

Many alcohol and drug rehab centers in Kansas offer dual diagnosis treatment which is specially designed to treat addiction and mental health disorders simultaneously. Therapy and counseling are typically offered to achieve this.

Although therapy options differ from rehab facility to rehab facility, some reliable techniques include eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).

Some centers also provide more unique therapy programs like nature therapy, art therapy, equine therapy, and more.

Finding an addiction recovery program can be overwhelming, so here are some fantastic places to start.

There are several state and federal government resources that will help you find drug and alcohol rehab centers.

• Some treatment center resources:
  SAMHSA Treatment Locator – No matter where in the country you need to find addiction treatment, this anonymous and confidential locator will help you locate nearby facilities.
• Overland Park VA Clinic – The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has pages for each state that are a great resource for finding health care for service members at the VA medical center.
• Kansas – PTSD Program Locator – This state VA page will connect you with programs specialized for PTSD.

By starting with these resources, you can be sure to be connected with facilities offering the addiction recovery care you or your loved one needs whether you live in Kansas City, Topeka, or Wichita.

Finding a treatment facility is only half of the journey. You may also be wondering how to find veterans rehab programs that are actually of good quality.

Luckily, there are several factors you can look out for that typically indicate a facility is reputable and reliable. For example, look for rehab centers with accreditations or certifications like the Joint Commision or LegitScript.

Other great qualities to keep an eye out for include a low client-to-staff ratio, evidence-based treatment offerings, positive reviews and testimonials, and professional memberships or state support.

One point of stress for many considering addiction treatment is the cost of such care. Yet many veterans insurance options can help you cover the costs of addiction recovery.

A healthcare program offered to uniformed service members as well as their families, TRICARE is one option that may help lower or eliminate the costs of substance abuse treatment.

VA health benefits is another insurance option for veterans provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Though packages differ between individuals, most will cover some portion of the costs of addiction recovery.

Some veterans may have access to private health insurance plans instead. These insurance plans can be helpful in paying for drug and alcohol addiction treatment as well as other health costs. They sometimes require referrals.

It may seem like addiction recovery is fairly achievable with all of this information and the resources available. However, many veterans don’t seek out care or medical advice due to the barriers they face.

The most prevalent barrier seen among veterans when it comes to seeking addiction treatment is the embarrassment or shame associated with asking for help or calling a hotline. Many previous service members may not be comfortable admitting they need help.

Long wait times in the veteran health care system and not knowing they’re struggling with addiction can also prevent individuals from receiving care. Homelessness and poverty can also have this effect.

Fortunately, many resources and organizations are available to help veterans get the care they need and overcome these barriers.

If you’re unsure of where to find other necessary resources for previous service members, check out this short list below.

Kansas veterans resources include:

• Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs Office – This state page is a great place to find a variety of resources for veterans in Kansas.
• Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services – This page is a fantastic resource for anything related to behavioral health services.
• The Kansas Board of Regents – Military & Veteran Resources – Another tool for finding resources, this page will help you find resources in everything from education to financial aid

Kansas veterans may find themselves struggling with substance abuse at any point after service. Thankfully, there are resources and treatment options that can aid them in getting the help they need.

Give our helpline a call today if you need guidance regarding addiction recovery in veterans.