Veteran Drug Rehab in Kentucky

Veterans face a higher chance of developing a substance use disorder due to the high-stress and traumatic situations they are often exposed to.

This, plus other factors like deployment, can make it more likely for a veteran to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol, often leading to addiction.

There are a variety of options for veterans in Kentucky who are seeking help for an alcohol or drug addiction. Cost does not have to be an issue, as most addiction rehab facilities accept VA health benefits and TRICARE military insurance.

Kentucky veterans have plenty of choices when it comes to treatment, such as inpatient and outpatient treatment, medical detoxification, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT).

Learn more below about veterans rehab programs in Kentucky, the best resources for veterans in the state, and insurance plans accepted by veterans rehab centers.

The military lifestyle involves high-risk situations and trauma that can lead to physical and mental injuries in military service members and veterans.

These factors make veterans and active military members more vulnerable to developing an alcohol and drug addiction as a way to self-medicate and cope.

Substance abuse rates among veterans include:

• Over one million veterans currently have some sort of substance use disorder.
• 25% of those veterans with a substance use disorder struggle with illicit drugs.
• Approximately 80% of veterans who have an addiction report having an alcohol addiction.
• 7% of veterans who reported an addiction struggle with both alcohol and illicit drugs.
• Over 11% of veterans have used marijuana.
• 562,000 veterans currently misuse opioids; 505,000 of these veterans currently misuse prescription pain medicine.
• 2.2% of veterans have both a substance use disorder and a mental illness.
• Veterans living with substance use disorders are more than twice as likely to die by suicide than civilians.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, there are 282,767 veterans currently living in the state of Kentucky. This means over 8% of Kentucky’s population is made of veterans.

Statistics related to veterans living in Kentucky:

• Veterans living in Kentucky face a 4.5% unemployment rate.
• 8.4% of veterans in Kentucky are living in poverty.
• 63,837 Kentucky veterans have a service connected disability rating.
• There are 35,198 veterans living in a home with an extreme or severe issue.
• 399 veterans are currently homeless in Kentucky.

Active military members and veterans face a higher risk of developing substance use disorders due to the many stressors and traumatic situations they face.

Veterans and military service members who have been deployed and have seen action are vulnerable to turning to drugs and alcohol in order to self-medicate.

Risk factors that may lead to substance abuse in veterans include:

• Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Chronic pain from injuries
• Psychological and physical injuries received in the line of duty
• Low employment rates and difficulty finding a job
• Having a hard time reconnecting with family and friends
• Disability ratings
• Living in poverty
• Homelessness
• Co-occurring mental health disorders

If you or a loved one are a veteran searching for an addiction treatment center in Kentucky, you have many different program options. There are both long-term and short-term treatment options.

You can access inpatient and outpatient treatment programs as well as partial hospitalization plans and many different types of therapies and counseling services.

Treatment programs for veterans in Kentucky may include:

• Medical detox
• Inpatient residential treatment programs
• Intensive outpatient programs (IOP)
• Outpatient programs
• Partial hospitalization programs (PHP)
• Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs, such as with methadone
• Transitional and halfway houses
• Sober living
• 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous
• Individual, group, and family counseling services
• Domestic violence therapy
• Motivational interviewing
• Peer support groups
• Aftercare
• Relapse prevention

When veterans are searching for alcohol and drug treatment programs, keep in mind that there are special programs for veterans. These programs are usually run by other veterans or people who have experience with their unique issues.

It is common for people with alcohol and drug addictions to also be living with some form of mental or behavioral health issue. This is known as a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorders.

There are programs designed to help co-occurring disorders by dealing with the underlying issues at the heart of the matter.

The following mental and behavioral disorders often co-occur with substance abuse:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Bipolar disorder
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Eating disorders
• Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Panic disorders

Treatment for a dual diagnosis often includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and group therapy.

Support meetings with other veterans in the recovery process have also proven to be beneficial. Other options for treatment include prescription medications and alternative therapies.

When you begin the process of looking for an alcohol and drug rehab center, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Most major cities in Kentucky, such as Lexington or Louisville, will have VA medical centers.

Online resources are also available for locating rehab programs in Kentucky, such as:

• SAMHSA — The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration provides a searchable database online for each state. This database has information on alcohol and drug treatment facilities, as well as mental health treatment services and more.
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — The VA has a database for its mental health and substance abuse treatment facilities.

There are many different drug and alcohol rehab programs in Kentucky, which makes it very important to ensure that the treatment program you choose is of high quality and reputable.

When you are looking into special treatment facilities for veterans, having a staff of veterans or people who understand the unique problems of veterans is an important component.

Other qualities to look for in Kentucky veterans rehab programs include:

• Certifications
• Accreditations, usually through CARF or the Joint Commission
• Evidence-based treatment options
• Positive client reviews and testimonials
• Specialized programs for veterans
• Low doctor-to-patient and staff-to-client ratios

A major reason for not seeking help for alcohol and drug abuse is a fear of not being able to afford it. Cost should never be a barrier to mental health and addiction treatment for veterans.

Many rehab treatment centers accept military insurances such as TRICARE, VA health benefits, and private health insurances.

TRICARE is a type of military insurance that is only for active military members and veterans. It functions the same way that Medicaid and Medicare do.

Most treatment programs will be covered, although coverage will depend on how much each veteran is approved for.

Most inpatient and outpatient health services are covered by VA health benefits for veterans who are eligible.

The amount of coverage a veteran is eligible for varies from individual to individual, but most, if not all, rehab treatment programs may be covered.

If you are interested in a private or luxury rehab facility, they may only accept private insurance plans or self-pay.

Most treatment centers will accept self-pay on a sliding fee scale, or offer financing depending on your situation.

Unfortunately, while recovery programs may be available for everyone, there may be factors that prevent veterans from seeking help.

Some barriers veterans may encounter when seeking addiction treatment include:

• Lack of funding and financial help
• Not knowing how to seek resources
• Not having the support of friends and family
• Lack of adequate mental health care
• Long wait lists and not enough space.
• The stigma they feel may come with seeking help for addiction or mental health issues

If you are a veteran living in Kentucky, you can access a number of organizations that provide assistance and resources for homelessness, mental health, job placement, transportation, and other veteran benefits.

Some organizations that provide resources for veterans in Kentucky include:

• Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs offers assistance for veterans seeking help with housing, employment, education opportunities, mental health, and addiction treatment services.
• Lexington, KY Veterans Affairs offers resources for veterans living in Lexington. They have information and help for homelessness, job opportunities, mental health services, and addiction treatment.
• Louisville Metro Offices for Veterans offers resources for veterans in the Louisville metro area. They assist with housing, employment, healthcare, veteran benefits, addiction services, and mental health care.

If you or a loved one are a veteran in Kentucky with a substance use disorder, and you want to begin your road to recovery, know that you are not alone and help is within reach.

Call our helpline today to talk to an addiction treatment specialist who can help you find a treatment program that best fits your needs.