Veteran Drug Rehab in Oregon

Veterans are at a greater risk of developing a substance use disorder compared to civilians due to their experience in high-stress and traumatic situations. Veterans who have been deployed or seen combat are even more vulnerable to addiction.

Fortunately, there are a number of options for veterans living in Oregon who are seeking substance abuse treatment. Many of these treatment programs will be covered by VA health care benefits or TRICARE.

Addiction treatment programs can be inpatient or outpatient. Additionally, there are also medication-assisted treatment programs, many different types of counseling, and group support offered.

Learn about Veterans rehab programs in Oregon, support services for veterans with addiction, and more.

Substance use disorders are common in veterans due to mental health issues, such as post traumatic stress disorder, and other factors.

Veterans are often left with psychological and physical injuries after service. It is common for veterans to self-medicate these problems in order to numb the pain.

Veteran alcohol and drug addiction rates include:

• Approximately 1.1 million veterans meet the criteria for a substance use disorder.
• Four in five veterans claim that alcohol is their biggest struggle.
• In a seven-year time span, marijuana reportedly increased more than 50% among veterans.
• Over 10% of veteran admissions to addiction treatment facilities were for heroin.
• More than two out of ten veterans who have post traumatic stress disorder also have an addiction to drugs, alcohol, or both.
• Around 10% of veterans returning from Afghanistan and/or Iraq have a problem with alcohol or drugs.
  Over 45% of veteran suicide attempts were preceded by drugs and alcohol.

The US Department of Veterans Affairs reported that there were 303,689 veterans currently living in Oregon. Approximately 9% of Oregon’s adult population are veterans of the U.S. military.

The following are statistics for veterans living in Oregon:

• Oregon’s veterans face a 5.7% unemployment rate.
• Almost three in four veterans in Oregon are homeowners.
• 7.4% of veterans in Oregon live in poverty.
• There are 70,194 veterans in Oregon who have a service-connected disability rating.
• 53,585 veterans are living in a home that has serious structural and other issues.
• There are currently 1,329 veterans who are experiencing homelessness in Oregon.

Veterans can be very vulnerable to drug and alcohol abuse, more so than the general population. There can be many reasons why veterans develop a drug or alcohol addiction.

Active and former military members often have lingering trauma from service. If a veteran has been in a war, this could be a stressor that causes them to abuse drugs and alcohol.

Other risk factors that contribute to substance abuse in veterans:

• Chronic pain
• Co-occurring mental disorders
• Post traumatic stress disorder
• Injuries, both physical and psychological, received in combat
• Difficulty finding and maintaining employment
• Having a difficult time reintegrating into civilian life
• Homelessness
• Disability ratings

If you or a loved one are a veteran seeking help for substance abuse, there are many different treatment programs to choose from. Most programs are divided into short-term and long-term options.

Inpatient and outpatient programs are also available, as well as a wide variety of counseling services.

Veterans can expect to find the following services and treatment programs:

• Medically supervised detox
• Inpatient/residential treatment programs
• Partial hospitalization programs (PHP)
• Intensive outpatient programs (IOP)
• Outpatient programs
• Transitional housing
• Medication-assisted treatment (MAT), such as with methadone
• Individual and family therapy
• Twelve-step programs
• Group therapy and support meetings
• Case management
• Aftercare

Many alcohol and drug rehab centers also have special programs for veterans. These are often run by other veterans who know first-hand what you or your family member could be going through.

Veterans facing substance use disorders often also face a co-occurring mental illness. Many people misuse drugs and alcohol to self-medicate for psychological pain.

Veterans who have a dual diagnosis will often go through treatment for both their addiction and mental illness.

Behavioral and mental health issues that often co-occur with substance use disorders:

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

Co-occurring disorders are usually treated by therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Other therapies, such as motivational interviewing, may also be used.

When veterans search for substance abuse treatment, a good place to start is to look in major cities, such as Crater Lake, Eugene, Medford, Portland, Roseburg, Salem, and White City.

There are other options for finding addiction and mental health care, including online databases and VA medical centers, which will also have resources for veterans.

Resources for locating veteran treatment programs in Oregon include:

• US Department of Veterans Affairs – Provides a searchable database of substance abuse and mental health treatment centers with specialized programs for veterans.
• SAMHSA – The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration offers a database of mental health and addiction resources by state. It includes rehab treatment options for veterans as well.

There are many program options in Oregon, which can make the decision of where to go overwhelming. Any substance abuse treatment center you choose should be reputable and of high quality.

Veterans may find themselves more comfortable and open to addiction programs made for Veterans. These programs are often run and managed by other veterans.

Other important qualities to look for in veterans rehab programs:

• Accreditations, often through CARF of the Joint Commission
• Certifications
• High success rates
• Positive testimonials from clients
• Evidence-based treatment options
• Low doctor-to-patient ratios/staff-to-client ratios
• Specialized programs for veterans

The cost of treatment should never prevent veterans from seeking help.

Veterans have access to military health insurance, TRICARE, and VA health benefits as well as private insurance options which may cover the cost of care. There are many rehab programs that accept most if not all of these options.

TRICARE is a type of insurance, similar to Medicare and Medicaid, that is only available for active service military personnel and veterans. This form of insurance covers everything from primary care to addiction treatment services.

The amount of coverage a veteran can expect to receive from TRICARE will depend on how much they are approved for.

If you are considered eligible for VA health benefits, many if not all of your drug rehab expenses may be covered by these benefits.

VA benefits can cover inpatient and outpatient treatment programs, but the amount of coverage will be determined by varying factors.

If you are considering seeking treatment through a private or luxury rehab facility, you may find that they do not accept TRICARE or VA health benefits.

These treatment centers often accept private health insurances, self-pay, payment options on a sliding fee scale, and financing.

Unfortunately, while substance abuse treatment may be available to all veterans, there are often barriers that prevent them or deter them from seeking help.

Barriers to addiction recovery for veterans in Oregon include the following:

• Lack of adequate mental health care
• Not having the support of loved ones
• The stigma of seeking help
• Long waitlists
• Lack of funding or financial resources

However, there are resources in Oregon that are provided specifically to help veterans overcome obstacles that prevent them from getting the help they need

The following resources provide assistance to veterans with employment, housing, primary care services, mental health and addiction services, and more.

Resources for Oregon veterans seeking addiction recovery include:

• Central Oregon Veterans Outreach — This veteran outreach program is a non-profit organization that assists veterans in the Bend, OR area with basic necessities and housing.
• Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs — The ODVA offers resources for veterans and their families. They offer education assistance, housing aid, mental health and wellness resources, tribal veterans programs, women veterans resources, and trauma resources for veterans.
• VA Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center and Clinic (SORCC) — The main campus for this Oregon rehabilitation organization is located in White City, OR. It offers full medical care, including vision and dental, as well as rehab programs and mental health services.

If you are a veteran ready to start your journey to recovery from alcohol or drug addiction, you are not alone. It is never too late to seek help, and there are people waiting to give you assistance.

Call our helpline phone number today to talk to an addiction recovery expert. They can help you find the best substance abuse treatment center in Oregon near you.