Veteran Drug Rehab in West Virginia

Many veterans and military service members live with substance abuse problems, and some of these issues result from the high-stress environments they were in. Traumatic situations plus other factors can lead veterans to self-medicate with drug or alcohol or abuse substances to cope.

Veterans in West Virginia have many options for addiction treatment programs. Many of which will be partly, if not completely, covered by military insurance like TRICARE or their VA benefits.

Veterans will find they have access to inpatient and outpatient treatment programs, plus medication-assisted treatment, support groups, and other forms of evidence-based treatment.

Learn more about the rates of substance abuse in veterans, programs for veterans in West Virginia, addiction treatment centers near you, resources for finding help, and more.

Active duty service members and veterans often face alcohol and drug addiction due to the traumatic and stressful situations they have faced, especially if they had a difficult deployment.

Veterans and military members are often more vulnerable to mental health issues, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, that can lead to self-medicating.

Veterans substance abuse rates include:

• More than 20% of veterans who have post-traumatic stress disorder also have a substance use disorder.
• Approximately 10% of veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan have an alcohol or drug misuse issue.
• Veterans living with substance use disorders are more than twice as likely to complete suicide compared to civilians.
• Alcohol use disorders are prevalent among active and retired military service members — four out of five veterans have reported that they battle alcoholism.
• 25% of veterans with a substance use disorder use illicit drugs.
• Among veterans who have a substance use disorder, 7% have both an alcohol use disorder and drug use disorder.
• 13% of veterans who received opioids for pain management developed an opioid addiction.
• More than 1 in 10 veteran admissions were for heroin addiction.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, there are currently 135,190 veterans living in West Virginia. A little over 9% of the adult population in West Virginia is made up of veterans of the U.S. military.

Over 80% of veterans are homeowners in West Virginia, however, 13,373 veterans live in homes with one or more major problems of quality, crowding, or cost. Stress due to housing can be a major factor that causes substance abuse.

Unemployment and lack of financial stability are other issues that veterans face. West Virginia’s veterans have a 4.9% unemployment rate, and there are 104 veterans who are currently homeless.

Veterans and military service members are more likely to develop a drug or alcohol addiction for a number of reasons, including the stressful and sometimes traumatic situations they face.

Veterans who had a difficult deployment or saw combat action during their time in the service are even more vulnerable to developing a substance use disorder.

Risk factors for substance abuse among veterans include:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Co-occurring mental disorders
• Physical and psychological injuries from time at war
• Chronic pain
• Having a hard time reconnecting with friends and family
• Difficulty finding a job, high unemployment rates
• Homelessness
• Disability ratings

If you or a loved one are looking for drug and alcohol treatment in West Virginia, there are many options to choose from, including inpatient and outpatient treatment programs.

One of the first steps you will take when entering substance abuse treatment is medically supervised detoxification. Then, you will need to decide if long-term or short-term treatment is a better fit for your needs.

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

• Medical detox
• Inpatient/residential treatment
• Partial hospitalization programs (PHP)
• Intensive outpatient programs (IOP)
• Outpatient treatment programs
• Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) using naltrexone
• Transitional housing
• Methadone therapy
• Individual therapy
• Group therapy
• Family therapy
• 12-step programs
• Relapse prevention
• Aftercare

Veterans also have the option of seeking out addiction treatment programs that are specially designed for veterans. These programs are often run by other veterans, which can make the road to recovery a little easier.

Veterans who are dealing with substance abuse are usually also dealing with mental health issues, or co-occurring disorders.

There are programs, such as dual diagnosis programs, that work to treat the underlying root of the cause, making long-term recovery from addiction more likely.

Mental health/behavioral health disorders that commonly co-occur with substance abuse:

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

The most common methods of treating co-occurring disorders include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Support groups and other evidence-based treatment options can also be utilized.

Alcohol and drug addiction treatment centers for veterans can be found in most major cities, such as Beckley, Clarksburg, Huntington, and Martinsburg. Substance abuse treatment programs can also be found in Veterans Affairs medical centers across West Virginia.

Other resources for locating veteran rehab centers in West Virginia include:

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

When you or a loved one are looking for a substance abuse recovery program, it is important to make sure that any program you choose is reputable and of high quality.

Another quality to look for is whether it is tailored to suit a veteran’s needs. Many veterans programs are run by other veterans or people who are qualified to assist their unique needs.

Signs to look for in quality alcohol and drug rehab centers include:

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

The cost of treatment should never stand in the way of veterans getting the care they need. Some insurance plans may cover substance abuse treatment completely.

Veterans will find that many alcohol and drug addiction treatment centers accept military insurances, such as TRICARE, VA health benefits, and most private health insurances.

TRICARE is a military insurance for current military service members and veterans only. TRICARE works the same way that Medicaid and Medicare do for the civilian population.

The amount of coverage a veteran can expect to get from TRICARE will depend on a number of different factors, and may vary from case to case.

Veterans who are eligible for VA health benefits may find that most, if not all, of their substance abuse services may be covered under these benefits.

The coverage a veteran can expect to receive under their VA health benefits will depend on the situation, and a number of different factors. The amount of coverage will be different for each case and veteran.

Substance abuse services that are

If you or a loved one are considering seeking drug and alcohol rehabilitation at a private or luxury rehab center, you may find that they do not take military insurance or VA health benefits.

These types of treatment centers often accept most major private health insurances, and they may offer self-pay options, and payment assistance such as financing or paying on a sliding-fee scale.

Unfortunately, many veterans feel there are barriers to getting treatment they need for drug and alcohol addiction.

Some of the barriers that veterans may face when seeking substance abuse treatment include:

• Long waitlists
• Lack of support from friends and family
• The stigma of seeking treatment
• Lack of funding or financial resources
• Lack of adequate mental health care

The good news is there are special programs for veterans that include resources to help them overcome these barriers to recovery.

For veterans living in West Virginia, there are a number of resources available to assist with housing, employment, education, mental and physical health and wellness, addiction treatment, and more.

West Virginia veterans have access to the following resources:

• Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center: Located on Medical Center Drive in Clarksburg, West Virginia, this VA medical center offers a range of medical services, including mental health and addiction treatment services.
• State of West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance offers a veterans crisis helpline, housing assistance, community outreach programs, employment assistance, and more.
• Veterans Upward Bound West Virginia is an organization that works with the Department of Education in order to assist veterans in West Virginia in achieving educational goals.

If you or a loved one are ready to begin your journey to recovery from alcohol and drug addiction, it is important that you know that you are not alone. There are many resources available to you in West Virginia.

Use our helpline today to talk to an addiction treatment specialist to find a drug and alcohol rehab facility near you.