Veteran Drug Rehab in Louisiana

Veterans in Louisiana may retire from service with physical injuries, disabilities, or mental health problems that may lead them to addiction to alcohol or drugs.

Veterans coping with an addiction can get help at a substance abuse rehab center. Some of the services accessible at such facilities include residential and outpatient treatment, detox, and various forms of therapy.

Some of these facilities provide veteran-focused care and accept military health insurance. Wherever you are in Louisiana, you can find nearby help to recover from an addiction.

Alcohol and drug abuse is more prevalent among military personnel and veterans than in civilians for various reasons.

Anxiety, emotional health problems, and chronic pain are just a few reasons that contribute to a substance use disorder. Drug abuse among veterans is a genuine healthcare issue that requires attention and care.

Here are a few statistics to shed light on the prevalence of addiction among veterans:

• Over 830,000 veterans (1 out of every 4) have a serious mental health illness.
• Approximately 11% of veterans seeking healthcare at VA health facilities for the first time fit the criteria for a substance use disorder diagnosis.
• More than 595,000 veterans struggle with opioid misuse, making up 2.9% of the populace.
• The majority of opioid prescriptions among veterans put them at high risk of drug abuse. Top prescriptions include oxycodone (46.9%), hydrocodone (39.5%), and codeine (6.8%).
• Heavy drinking is substantially more prevalent among veterans with more combat experience (26.8% vs. 17% among those with less experience).
• Meth is among the common illicit drugs misused by military vets, with about 109,000 abusing the drug.

Louisiana is home to over 300,000 veterans, of which 22,500 are women. Most veterans (35%) in Louisiana served during the Vietnam era, while about 24% served only during peacetime.

Of veterans in the state, 29% use the VA healthcare system, which is above the national average (27%). Access to healthcare may be a problem for some — almost 10% of veterans in the state are uninsured.

Slightly over 20% of retired personnel have a Bachelor’s degree or higher, and close to 5% are currently enrolled in an educational program. This may present a challenge when seeking work after retirement.

Military service members and veterans in Louisiana and throughout the U.S. have a higher likelihood of substance abuse compared to the general population.

This is the result of a variety of factors they are exposed to, including:

• Physical injuries and psychological trauma sustained during service
• Post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues
• Problems reintegrating into the civilian population
• Trouble finding work and homelessness
• Chronic pain that may require opioid painkillers to alleviate

There are different levels of care for veterans seeking help for substance abuse in Louisiana. You can enroll in either an inpatient or outpatient drug rehab center.

Each has various levels, such as short-term and long-term residential stays, intensive outpatient (IOP), partial hospitalization programs (PHP), and sober living homes.

Other treatment services you can expect at a substance abuse treatment center include:

• Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with methadone
• 12-step programs
• Various therapy modalities, including individual and group therapy
• Family therapy
• Relapse prevention programs
• Aftercare support
• Transitional homes
• Detoxification programs

Some facilities also provide programs tailored to the unique needs of veterans seeking recovery from substance abuse.

Generally, people battling substance use disorders have mental health issues alongside the addiction. This is called a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorders.

The co-occurrence of mental health issues in people with drug abuse is quite common. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that of the 20.3 million adults with substance use disorders, 37.9% also have mental illnesses.

This is because substance abuse and mental health disorders share risk factors such as stress and trauma. Drug addiction may also aggravate a mental health issue and vice versa.

Some conditions often diagnosed in veterans with substance use disorders include:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Panic disorders
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Bipolar disorder

A dual diagnosis treatment program aims to treat the substance abuse problem as well as the mental health issues.

This is done through medication and a variety of behavioral therapy methods, including:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
• Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT)

If you’re looking for drug and alcohol rehab centers with veteran care services, you must know where you can find reputable treatment programs.

You can check out the VA department to find facilities that offer drug rehab for veterans. Private treatment facilities may also provide tailored programs for veterans.

You should find rehab programs near you, no matter where you live in Louisiana. There are programs in New Orleans, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and all over the state.

You can find information on reputable, accredited rehab programs through these resources:

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) — This website maintains a massive database of accredited facilities that use evidence-based techniques in their alcohol and drug treatment programs.
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) — The VA website provides a state-by-state listing of treatment centers that provide specialized rehabilitation services for veterans. You may locate inpatient and outpatient programs on the website, many of which take military insurance.

There are plenty of rehab facilities and programs within the state, each with its standards of practice and quality of service.

To identify the best rehab centers in Louisiana, look for qualities such as:

• Accreditations from organizations such as the Joint Commission or the Commission on Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)
• Memberships and certifications such as from SAMHSA
• Favorable reviews on Google and client testimonials
• A variety of evidence-based treatment options
• Low staff-to-client ratio
• Aftercare programs and low relapse rate among alumni

Cost is a significant barrier to treatment for veterans and many other people struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. Although addiction treatment programs can be expensive, some options can help you cover the cost.

Insurance coverage, financing options, and self-payment plans are some ways that can help you pay for rehab. Some medical centers accept military health insurance plans, especially those that provide tailored programs for veterans.

TRICARE is an insurance option the Department of Defense provides for service members, veterans, and their families.

The specifics of your service, income, insurance plan, and other factors will determine what will be covered by the program and your out-of-pocket charges.

You can also use your VA health benefits to pay for all or part of your rehab program. Before enrolling in a program, make sure to review your coverage and out-of-pocket expenses, because VA benefits differ from person to person.

Most rehab facilities accept some form of insurance, whether Medicaid, Medicare, or private. Some treatment centers do not accept TRICARE, so this option is valuable for getting the necessary care.

Some private health insurance options in Louisiana facilities are BlueCross Blue Shield, Humana, Aetna, UnitedHealth, and Cigna. Ensure you also contact the center’s helpline to verify coverage and availability before committing to a program.

Veterans might face many obstacles as they seek drug abuse treatment in Louisiana.

Some of these barriers include the following:

• Minimal or zero insurance coverage, making treatment expensive out-of-pocket
• The stigma around seeking treatment among active duty and retired military members
• Long waitlists to access rehab programs
• Lack of support from family and friends
• Lack of understanding about available treatments

If you’re dealing with these challenges, note that different resources are available to help you overcome them and get treatment.

The following organizations can assist if you are a veteran from Louisiana looking for education, financial aid, employment or business support, drug and alcohol treatment, or other services.

These resources include:

• Office of Veteran & Military Student Services at the University of Louisiana — find details about their education programs for veterans, which you can pay for with your benefits if you qualify.
• Louisiana Veterans First Business Initiative — if you’re a business owner, you can help your business gain a wider reach by registering for this initiative, which certifies and promotes veteran-owned businesses.
• The Louisiana VA resources page — you can find all sorts of information for veterans on this page, from local veteran communities and programs to legal resources and more.

It’s never too late to seek addiction treatment. If you or a loved one is a veteran looking for rehabilitation for drug addiction in Louisiana, options are available.

To start your rehabilitation journey, contact our hotline today. Our treatment professionals can put you in touch with a treatment facility offering the help you need to recover.