Veteran Drug Rehab in Wisconsin

Veterans across the country have high rates of substance use disorders. The stresses and trauma of military service as well as other factors can push veterans to use drugs and alcohol.

Veterans living in Wisconsin who are looking for a substance abuse treatment facility have many options available to them, including free and low-cost care covered by VA benefits or TRICARE insurance.

Wisconsin drug and alcohol rehab for veterans can be short-term or long-term, and may include inpatient care, outpatient treatment, behavioral therapy, group therapy, and more.

Veterans abuse drugs and alcohol at higher rates than the general population. A number of risk factors stemming from the stress and trauma of service and the difficulties of life as a veteran are to blame.

Homelessness, mental health issues, and more can also contribute to alcohol and drug abuse in veterans.

The following facts shed light on the relationship between veterans and substance abuse:

• Cannabis is the most commonly abused drug among veterans.
• Between the years 2002 and 2009, cannabis use disorders went up by more than half in veterans treated in the Veterans Health Administration system.
• More than two-thirds of veterans report that they experience pain. This puts veterans at higher risk for opioid use disorders.
• Up to half of Iraq war and Afghanistan war veterans have a diagnosed mental health disorder, which makes them more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol.
• U.S. veterans make up 11% of the homeless population in the country, and up to 70% of homeless veterans have a substance use disorder.

Wisconsin is home to over 360,000 of the United States’ 20 million veterans. About 8% of Wisconsin’s veterans are women, and over 50% are 65 years of age or older.

Almost 40% of veterans living in Wisconsin served during the Vietnam era. Around 30% served during one of the gulf wars, which is far lower than the national rate of around 40%.

Over 70,000 veterans in Wisconsin receive VA disability benefits. Almost 170,000 are enrolled in the VA healthcare system.

The vast majority (over 350,000) of Wisconsin veterans are white, while only 30,000 belong to a minority group.

Veterans face a number of risk factors that make them more likely to use drugs and alcohol. Both military service and the challenges faced as veterans can serve as risk factors.

Veterans who experienced trauma or high-stress situations during deployment are at especially enhanced risk for drug and alcohol use.

Risk factors for substance abuse commonly found among veterans include:

• Mental and physical injuries from time spent at war
•  Chronic pain
• Difficulty finding employment, low employment rates
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Difficulties in reconnecting with loved ones upon return from deployment
• Homelessness
• Co-occurring mental health and behavioral health disorders
• High rates of disability

Alcohol and drug rehab centers for veterans offer a wide range of services. Treatment can begin with detox, outpatient, or inpatient care.

Under the umbrella of outpatient treatment, different programs like intensive outpatient programs (IOP) and partial hospitalization programs (PHP) exist.

Treatment approaches you may find in veterans treatment programs include:

• Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) including buprenorphine or methadone
• Medically monitored detoxification
• 12-step programs
• Residential treatment
• Motivational interviewing
• Peer support groups
• Outpatient treatment
• Relapse prevention support
• Behavioral therapy including dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Sober living arrangements
• Aftercare

Co-occurring disorders, also called dual diagnoses, refer to people who live with both a substance use disorder and a behavioral or mental health disorder.

Special programs exist at many treatment centers to provide dual diagnosis patients with the mental health services and substance use disorder treatment that they need.

Veterans have high rates of co-occurring disorders.

Mental and behavioral health disorders that often co-occur with substance abuse include:

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

Treatment programs for dual diagnoses utilize behavioral therapy, medication, and other interventions.

While each diagnosis is treated separately, it is also important that the patient is treated as a whole person with an understanding that the disorders feed into one another.

If you are looking for veterans addiction treatment in Milwaukee, Madison, or anywhere else in Wisconsin, you can find it at a variety of locations.

Both private treatment centers and VA medical centers offer treatment programs for veterans.

Use these online resources to find addiction treatment programs for veterans in Wisconsin:

• SAMHSA — SAMHSA stands for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. This U.S. administration offers a variety of resources for people looking to overcome addiction, including a state-by-state database of certified treatment centers.
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) — The VA offers a database of treatment facilities that provide rehab programs specifically designed for veterans in recovery.

If you are a veteran searching for a treatment center, you should know what to look for to ensure that you attend a high-quality rehab facility.

Some veterans might prefer programs that are specifically designed for retired military members. These programs offer special benefits and a unique understanding of the challenges faced by veterans.

Look for these signs of a quality rehab center:

• Accreditations, such as through the Center for Accreditation on Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) or the Joint Commission
• High success rate
• Certifications
• HIgh doctor-to-patient ratios or staff-to-client ratios
• Positive client testimonials
• Evidence-based treatment options
• Specialized programs for veterans

Veterans seeking substance abuse treatment should not have to worry about affordability. Veterans in Wisconsin have access to different benefits that can help to cover the cost of treatment.

Drug and alcohol rehab programs for veterans can usually be covered by either TRICARE military insurance or VA benefits. Private health insurance can also be used to pay for treatment.

TRICARE is a type of health insurance that is only available to military service members, veterans, and their family members.

Benefits and coverage vary from person to person. Check your coverage to ensure that treatment is covered.

Many veterans are eligible for health insurance benefits from the VA. Rehab programs for veterans can often be paid for with VA benefits.

Veterans receive different benefits from the VA based on a number of factors including time served, income, and more. Both inpatient and outpatient rehab programs may be eligible for VA coverage.

If you don’t have TRICARE or VA benefits or you have your sights set on a specific rehab center that only accepts private insurance, you can still get treatment costs covered.

Private insurance is the most common way to pay for treatment. Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance plans like Aetna, Cigna, HealthPartners, and more can be used to pay for rehab at most treatment centers.

Veterans face challenges that can make it difficult to seek or access the treatment they need for substance use disorders.

Stigma around receiving mental healthcare, lack of support from loved ones, a lack of knowledge about available benefits, waitlists for rehab, and other factors can be barriers to treatment for veterans.

Fortunately, there are many resources available that can help veterans access the help they need.

Assistance with homelessness, financial hardship, substance abuse, mental health crisis, housing, employment, and more can be found through the Wisconsin VA and other resources.

Wisconsin veterans have access to these resources:

• Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) — The WDVA offers a bounty of resources to veterans in the state, including assistance with finding healthcare benefits, dealing with unemployment, financial hardship, and more.
• Wisconsin Veterans Network — The Wisconsin Veterans Network is a nonprofit organization run by veterans that offers an array of services and benefits, including homelessness assistance, financial counseling, emergency relief, family counseling, and more.
• Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) — The Wisconsin DWD offers veterans employment services, such as programs that help veterans find long-term employment, disabled veterans employment programs, and more.

If you or a loved one are looking for veterans substance abuse treatment, it is never too late to find the help that you need to get your life back on track.

Call our helpline today to speak with a treatment specialist about how to find and access the best addiction treatment facilities in your area.