Veteran Drug Rehab in Vermont

Many veterans in the United States are living with a substance use disorder. For some, drug and alcohol use can be a way to deal with the stressful lifestyle that comes with serving in the military.

For veterans living in Vermont who are seeking help with a drug or alcohol addiction, there are many treatment options available. These options include short-term and long-term inpatient programs, along with many different outpatient treatment options.

For active duty service members and veterans, many treatment options may be covered by their military insurance, such as TRICARE, and their VA health benefits.

Keep reading to learn more about the rates of substance abuse in veterans, programs for veterans in Vermont, addiction treatment centers near you, resources for finding help, and more.

Veterans and active duty service men and women are often exposed to dangerous situations during their time in the military. These situations can be traumatic and stressful, which can lead to mental and physical wounds that drive them to self-medicate with alcohol and drugs.

Mental health issues and other hardships faced during a veteran’s time in the military can be major factors that lead to substance abuse.

Veterans substance rates include:

• Approximately 1.1 million veterans meet the criteria for a substance use disorder.
• More than 20% of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder also have substance use disorders.
• Around 1 in 10 veterans returning from Iraq or Afghanistan have a problem with alcohol or drugs.
• Male veterans are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with an alcohol use disorder than female veterans.
• Nearly 27% of veterans with a substance use disorder struggle with illicit drugs, and many veterans develop an opioid use disorder after being prescribed pain medication.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, there are currently 42,029 veterans living in Vermont, making up about 7.5% of the adult population in Vermont.

Financial hardships can often be factors that lead to developing a drug or alcohol addiction. In Vermont, the unemployment rate for veterans is 2.3%, and approximately 2,438 veterans are living in poverty.

Veterans in Vermont make on average $53,400 a year, compared to $61,973 — the overall income of Vermont.

In addition, 6,951 veterans in Vermont live in a home that has one or more major problems with structure, crowding, and cost. Currently, 71 veterans in Vermont are homeless.

Veterans and active duty service face greater risk of alcohol and drug abuse than civilians for a number of different reasons, including the trauma and stress of military service.

For veterans who faced a difficult deployment, or have seen combat in war, the chances for developing a substance use disorder are greatly increased due to self-medication.

Risk factors and alcohol and drug addiction in veterans include:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Physical and psychological injuries from time spent in combat
• Co-occurring mental disorders
• Chronic pain
• Having a hard time reconnecting with friends and family
• Difficulty finding and maintaining employment
• Homelessness
• Disability ratings

If you or a loved one are looking for a substance abuse program in Vermont, you may have noticed that they come in many different forms. Many programs will start you off with medically supervised detox, then you can decide if you need inpatient or outpatient treatment.

You may want long-term care in an inpatient program, or you may choose to do medication-assisted treatment in an outpatient program.

Substance abuse treatment programs for veterans may include:

• Medical detoxification
• Inpatient/residential treatment programs
• Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
• Methadone and buprenorphine therapy
• Intensive outpatient programs (IOP)
• Outpatient programs
• Transitional housing
• Individual, group, and family counseling services
• Support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous
• Specialized programs for veterans
• 24-hour hotline for support
• Aftercare programs
• Sober living

There are many veterans who may feel more comfortable in a special program for veterans with substance use disorders. These treatment programs are often run by other veterans who understand their unique experiences.

Veterans living with a substance use disorder may also face mental health issues. Having a substance use disorder and a mental illness at the same time is called a dual diagnosis.

Dual diagnosis programs are specifically designed to treat the underlying mental health problem, as well as the addiction, which leads to long-lasting recovery for veterans.

Mental health disorders that often co-occur with alcohol and drug addiction include:

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

Dual diagnosis treatment programs often include treatment such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), as well as other therapies such as motivational interviewing (MI) and trauma-informed care.

If you or a family member are a veteran looking for substance abuse treatment programs in Vermont, you can find many programs in most major hospital systems and VA medical centers.

You can also find many treatment programs in most major cities in Vermont, such as Brattleboro, Burlington, and Montpelier.

Resources for locating substance abuse program for veterans in Vermont include:

• U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs database of substance abuse and mental health treatment facilities offers specialized veterans programs directly through the VA health care system.
• SAMHSA — The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration offers a large and searchable database of substance abuse and mental health centers in each state, as well as other resources.

When you or a loved one are looking for an alcohol and drug treatment center in Vermont, it is important to vet any treatment center you are considering for quality.

If you prefer to get help with substance abuse in a program with peers, a specialized veterans rehab program may be the best fit for you.

Signs of a quality alcohol and drug rehab center include:

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

Affordability should never be a barrier preventing veterans from getting the help they need for a substance abuse issue.

Many of these programs are covered by military insurance, private health insurance, VA benefits, and self-pay.

TRICARE is a type of military insurance that is exclusive to active duty military members and veterans. TRICARE works much the same way Medicare and Medicaid do for the civilian population.

Disclaimer: The amount of coverage a veteran may receive is determined on a case-by-case basis, and numerous other factors will be reviewed as well.

If you or a loved one are eligible for VA health benefits, you may find that most, if not all, of your expenses from your substance abuse treatment in Vermont are covered by these benefits.

The amount of benefits you are approved for will depend on the individual needs of each veteran’s case, and several different factors.

For veterans who choose to seek recovery from alcohol and drug addiction in a private or a luxury rehab center in Vermont, they may find that their military insurance or VA health benefits will not be accepted.

These treatment centers typically accept most major private health insurances and self-pay options, and they often provide payment assistance through financing or a sliding-fee scale.

Unfortunately, many veterans experience barriers which prevent them from accessing the help they need to recover from an alcohol or drug addiction.

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

• Lack of adequate mental healthcare
• Lack of support from friends and family
• Lack of funds or financial support
• The stigma they may face from seeking help
• Long waitlists

The good news is there are many resources available specifically designed to help veterans overcome these barriers to recovery and get the help they need.

The following organizations can assist veterans with housing, employment, financial assistance, education counseling, mental healthcare, general wellness, substance abuse treatment, VA benefits, and more.

Vermont veterans have access to the following organizations:

• Burlington Lakeside VA Clinic — This Vermont VA clinic offers primary health care, mental healthcare, dermatology, women’s health services, nutritional counseling, laboratory services, and many other resources that veterans may need.
• South Burlington Vet Center — This veterans center is currently offering a number of different counseling services, and has special programs for PTSD, depression, and military sexual trauma. They also offer referrals for other locations.
• Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs — The Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs offers veterans assistance with healthcare, education counseling, housing, job placement, mental health, and provides resources for family members of veterans as well.
• White River Junction VA Medical Center — This VA medical center provides primary healthcare services, as well as specialty healthcare. They also provide mental health services, audiology, nutritional counseling, women’s care, and many more resources.

If you are a veteran in Vermont looking to take the first step on the journey to recovery, there are many resources and organizations available to assist you.

When you are ready to make a change, call our helpline phone number today to speak to a recovery expert who will help you find a substance abuse treatment center near you.