Veteran Drug Rehab in Mississippi

It is not uncommon for military veterans to experience a range of mental health issues as they attempt to readjust to a civilian lifestyle after years of serving their country.

For many veterans, unfortunately, the mental health issues or physical pain that can result from time in the military can become unmanageable, causing them to turn to drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism.

There is hope, however, and veterans in Mississippi have multiple options available to them when it comes to seeking professional support and treatment for alcohol or drug addiction.

Many of these options are also covered by TRICARE and VA benefits, and offer treatment types that cater specifically to veterans.

Veterans can be exposed to incredibly high-stress, violent, and traumatic situations during their service. These experiences can often leave them with mental health issues and severe physical pain.

Because many veterans live with chronic pain, an addiction can start as a valid prescription for pain relief and gradually progress into addiction as the person becomes dependent.

Veteran substance abuse and mental illness rates include:

• Approximately 13% of the current population of veterans has a prescription to at least one opioid.
• The opioid most commonly abused by veterans is Vicodin (hydrocodone).
• Around 15% of veterans report using marijuana in the past year.
• Male veterans are more than twice as likely as female veterans to develop a problem with alcohol abuse.
• Veterans are 1.5 times more likely to commit suicide than the general population.
• Around 30% of veterans who commit suicide do so after abusing substances.

According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and the most recent census, there are just over 200,000 veterans currently residing in Mississippi.

This means a potentially large number of veterans in Mississippi are living with addiction, as 1 in 10 veterans is expected to develop a substance use disorder in their lifetime.

In addition to being at risk for substance abuse, veterans in Mississippi are also vulnerable to unemployment, homelessness, and other financial hardships.

Veterans are at a disproportionate risk for developing addiction and substance abuse, and there are many possible factors that contribute to this risk.

There is a particularly high risk for veterans who spent time at war and who may have witnessed extreme violence or the deaths of fellow service members.

Risk factors for veterans and substance abuse can include:

• Deployment
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Difficult transition back to civilian life
• Living with chronic pain
• Co-occurring disorders
• Lack of treatment
• Homelessness or unemployment

Addiction treatment programs for veterans in Mississippi can be found in both inpatient and outpatient treatment formats, depending on the needs of each individual and the severity of their addiction.

Inpatient or residential treatment is typically considered the most effective option in treating substance use disorders, although it may not be possible or practical for everyone.

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

• Short-term or long-term inpatient treatment
• Outpatient and intensive outpatient programs
• Dual diagnosis treatment
• Behavioral therapy
• 12-step meetings
• Medically monitored detox
• Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with methadone
• Aftercare
• Anger management classes
• Relapse prevention
• Employment and housing assistance
• Full medical support
• Individual therapy
• Sober living, transitional homes, and halfway houses

Some veterans also find alternative or holistic forms of therapy to be very helpful when treating substance abuse.

Holistic treatment options can include yoga and meditation, acupuncture, art therapy, music therapy, adventure therapy, and equine therapy.

Substance abuse and mental health are very closely related, as substance abuse can be both a potential result and a potential cause of a mental health disorder.

Dual diagnosis treatment is a type of treatment that is evidence-based and very effective in treating substance abuse and co-occurring disorders.

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

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• General depression
• Anxiety
• Panic disorders and panic attacks
• Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Bipolar disorder
• Eating disorders

Treating co-occurring disorders along with substance abuse often involves the use of antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications, as well as multiple types of therapy and counseling.

Types of behavioral therapy that are commonly used in co-occurring disorder treatment are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).

Specialized rehab programs for veterans are often found at VA hospitals and VA medical centers, but can also often be found at private substance abuse treatment practices.

Resources for locating veterans rehab programs in Mississippi include:

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is an organization that provides support and resources to those living with addiction. It also offers a 24/7 crisis hotline, a grant directory, and a searchable database of treatment centers in the United States.
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides numerous resources to retired military service members, and also offers a nationwide searchable database of specialized addiction programs for veterans.

When choosing a veterans rehab program or treatment facility for yourself or a loved one, it is wise to do some research in advance to ensure you are selecting a quality program.

Signs of a quality drug and alcohol rehab program include:

• Positive reviews and testimonials
• High ratings on Google and other social media
• National accreditations
• Certifications and memberships with relevant organizations
• Evidence-based treatments
• Awards and accolades

It is also recommended to take a look at the types of specialized treatment services that are offered for veterans at your rehab center of choice.

Some veterans may end up delaying treatment, or worse, not seeking treatment at all, because they mistakenly believe that addiction treatment is unaffordable.

However, with options like military insurance and benefits through the VA, veterans can receive the help they need at little to no cost.

TRICARE is the type of military health insurance that all active duty service members use, and which is also open to retired military service members, and the families of service members.

This type of health insurance is similar to Medicaid and Medicare and covers services that are considered medically necessary to the patient, with mental health and substance use disorders included.

Many veterans are entitled to benefits directly through the VA to help them cover healthcare and disability costs, including for mental health and behavioral health services.

Anyone who enlisted after September 7, 1980, served at least 24 months of consecutive service, and did not receive a dishonorable discharge may be eligible for these benefits.

For veterans who were discharged early due to injury or who served prior to 1980, there is typically no minimum duty requirement.

Veterans are always welcome to apply for their own private health insurance coverage if they would prefer, or if they are eligible for such benefits through their current employer.

Not all alcohol and drug rehab centers accept TRICARE or VA healthcare, and may only take private insurance or self-payment/cash.

In addition to accepting various insurance forms, some treatment centers offer additional types of payment assistance, including payment plans and sliding fee scales.

There are many possible barriers that veterans can face when considering whether to seek professional treatment for a substance use disorder.

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

• Living in a remote location geographically
• Military culture
• Stigma or discrimination
• Childcare or family responsibilities, particularly for female veterans
• Limited availability of specialized programs
• Concerns of legal or vocational repercussions
• Lack of financial resources or funding

Specialized programs and rehab facilities for veterans work to address and eliminate these barriers by providing welcoming and healing environments tailored to their unique challenges and concerns.

The following organizations are available to help veterans in Mississippi to secure assistance during times of hardship.

Mississippi veterans have access to the following resources:

• Mississippi VA — offers resources and assistance to veterans across multiple areas, including housing, education, and employment.
• Mighty Mississippi Office of Military Affairs — offers aid to active military members and retired veterans.
• Veterans Crisis Line — a 24/7 free and private hotline partnered with the VA that aids veterans in crisis, as well as the family members of veterans

Please do not hesitate to reach out to us or call our helpline if you are a veteran or you know a veteran who is in need of addiction treatment and support.

We assist veterans all over Mississippi, including the cities of Jackson, Biloxi, Hattiesburg, Gulfport, and many others.

It is never too late to free yourself from addiction and begin your new life — call us today to learn about the best treatment options near you.