Veteran Rehab in Ohio

Many veterans are living with a substance use disorder, as the high-stress lifestyle that comes with military service, trauma from service, and other factors can cause them to self-medicate.

For veterans located in Ohio who are seeking drug or alcohol treatment, there are a number of options available, many of which may be covered by TRICARE or VA health care benefits.

Addiction treatment for veterans can be in either inpatient or outpatient form. Veterans rehab programs may include such services as medical detox, group therapy, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorders.

Veterans and military service members are often exposed to situations during service that are high-stress and dangerous, often leaving them with both physical and psychological injuries.

Mental health issues and other hardships are often risk factors for alcohol and drug abuse, which is partly why substance abuse is not uncommon among veterans.

Veteran substance abuse rates include:

• More than 1 in 10 veterans will be diagnosed with a substance use disorder.
• Male veterans are more than twice as likely to develop an alcohol use disorder than female veterans.
• Alcohol is the most popular substance abused among veterans — 65% of veterans who enter addiction treatment report that alcohol is their main substance of use.
• Around 25% of veterans have reported abusing illicit drugs.
• 10.7% of veterans admitted into addiction treatment are there for a heroin use disorder, while 6% are admitted for a cocaine use disorder.
• Around 25% of veterans in the VHA system are currently receiving a prescription for opioids.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), there are currently over 900,000 veterans residing in Ohio. Less than 70,000 of the veterans in Ohio are women.

One in every 10 veterans is diagnosed with a substance use disorder, which means that there are nearly 100,000 veterans living in Ohio today who are battling substance abuse.

This number can be especially alarming when considering that veterans also often face higher rates of PTSD and mental illness, homelessness, and unemployment.

Military service members tend to be inclined toward substance use, and alcohol use in particular, for a number of reasons.

This can be especially true in the case of retired military veterans who were exposed to high-stress situations during their service, such as war or a difficult deployment.

Risk factors for veterans and substance abuse include:

• Physical and psychological injuries from time spent at war
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Chronic pain
• Co-occuring mental disorders
• Difficulties in reconnecting with loved ones upon return from deployment
• Homelessness
• Difficulty finding employment, low employment rates
• Disability ratings

Treatment programs for addiction and substance abuse come in many different forms. One of the first choices a person will make when seeking treatment is whether to enter outpatient treatment or a short-term or long-term residential treatment program.

There are also intensive outpatient treatment programs and partial hospitalization programs available.

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

• Medically monitored detoxification
• Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
• Individual, group, and family therapy
• Behavioral therapy
• 12-step programs
• Methadone treatment
• Inpatient treatment
• Outpatient treatment
• Motivational interviewing
• Peer support groups
• Relapse prevention support
• Aftercare

It is also possible to find drug and alcohol rehab centers that offer specialized programs for veterans.

Many veterans find these programs beneficial, particularly the group therapy and support groups with other veterans who have had similar experiences.

People who live with substance abuse issues often also have co-occurring mental or behavioral health issues.

Dual diagnosis programs work to address co-occurring disorders and the root of a person’s addiction so the addiction is less likely to return.

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

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Panic disorders
• Bi-polar disorder
• Obsessive compulsive disorder
• Eating disorders
• PTSD
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Dual diagnosis treatment programs tend to offer multiple types of therapy available including behavioral therapy.

Behavioral therapies that have been shown to be effective with substance use treatment are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).

Veterans may also receive care for their mental health disorder via antidepressant medications, anti-anxiety medications, other prescription medications, and alternative therapies.

Substance abuse treatment for veterans is often offered at major hospital systems or VA medical centers, and can often be found in major cities like Cleveland, Dayton, Columbus and Cincinnati.

Resources for locating veterans rehab programs in Ohio include:

• SAMHSA — The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration offers an extensive and searchable database of treatment centers in each state, as well as other resources.
• U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs — This database of substance abuse treatment facilities offers specialized veterans rehab programs directly through the VA.

When looking for a good rehab program, veterans should always take care to ensure that any program they are interested in is reputable and of high quality.

Some veterans may prefer a program that is specialized for military veterans. The staff in these programs are often veterans or have special training to understand the needs of veterans.

Signs of a quality rehab program include:

• Accreditations, such as through CARF or the Joint Commission
• Certifications
• High success rate
• Evidence-based treatment options
• Positive client testimonials
• Low doctor-to-patient ratios or staff-to-client ratios
• Specialized programs for veterans

Affordability should never be a problem for veterans who are seeking substance abuse treatment. There is always help available in many forms and with little to no cost in many instances.

Most drug rehab programs for veterans will be covered by TRICARE insurance, health benefits through the VA, or a private insurance plan.

TRICARE is a type of military insurance that’s similar to Medicaid or Medicare, but is exclusively available to active duty military service members and veterans.

The type of coverage provided through TRICARE will depend on the amount that each veteran is approved for.

People who are eligible for healthcare benefits through the VA may find that most, if not all, of their drug rehab program can be covered under these benefits.

This, of course, is dependent on the amount of benefits that the veteran is approved for and will depend on numerous factors.

Veterans can usually find either inpatient or outpatient treatment that is covered under these benefits.

Not all rehab centers accept TRICARE or other forms of Medicare. Some addiction centers, luxury rehab centers especially, may only accept self-pay or private insurance.

Veterans can use private health insurance if they are interested in one of these drug rehab centers.

Veterans may face certain obstacles when seeking substance abuse treatment, in Ohio and elsewhere.

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

• Waitlists
• Lack of adequate mental health care
• Lack of funding or financial resources
• Lack of support from loved ones
• Stigma

Fortunately, there are resources available specifically for veterans in Ohio to help them overcome any obstacles that are standing between them and quality addiction treatment.

The following organizations can help Ohio Veterans with needs like housing and homelessness support, insurance, employment, mental health services, financial support, and more.

Ohio veterans have access to the following resources:

• County Veteran Services Office — There are currently 88 local CVSO locations throughout the state of Ohio. These offices can provide short-term financial assistance to veterans and their families, as well as a range of other services. 
• Ohio Military Service Career Center — This organization helps veterans locate employment, obtain certifications or licensure, and coordinate events and other programs specifically for veterans. 
• Ohio Women Veterans Advisory Committee — This committee meets quarterly and is dedicated to identifying and assessing the needs of women veterans in Ohio. Some of the issues discussed include benefits, education, training, and employment.

If you or a loved one are a veteran in Ohio and seeking substance abuse treatment, please know that you are not alone and that it is never too late to get help for your addiction.

Call our helpline today when you are ready to get started on your recovery journey, and our treatment specialists can help you locate a treatment center near you.