Rehab for Veterans
The experience many military members face during active duty often takes a toll on their mental well-being. Unfortunately, these dangerous, often life-threatening acts of service often lead to the development of PTSD and addiction. In these cases, rehab for veterans is imperative to help reestablish a sense of safety and sobriety post-service.
We recognize the importance of providing specialized treatment and support for veterans struggling with addiction. That is why Royal Life Centers is proud to offer a Valor Program for veterans and first responders coping with addiction.
Within our Veteran’s track, we provide specialized addiction treatment services that focus on the unique experiences of retired military members battling alcohol and drug addiction. We understand the ongoing stress from the hazards of their work often results in substance abuse and/or mental health disorders. The trauma-informed care we provide in our veterans rehab center helps veterans achieve a meaningful life of sobriety and well-being.
Veteran Substance Abuse and Addiction
At first glance, statistics about service members and substance abuse are disheartening. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reported in 2020 that 5.2 million veterans misused substances. Sadly, developing an addiction during or after serving in the military is extremely common for multiple reasons.
First responders and veterans work in stressful, high-pressure environments where danger is a real risk. Veterans often cannot avoid carrying the tension of their jobs with them. Also, military work can lead to mental and physical ailments. Mental struggles like grief, survivors’ guilt, and isolation from feeling alone in their experiences can occur. Physical problems like chronic pain and insomnia are frequent, too.
Further, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) leads to erratic and sometimes debilitating mental, emotional, and physical symptoms in veterans. Often, people attempt to use drugs and alcohol to reduce such feelings and pain. As devastating as it may be, substance use can easily turn into abuse once an individual loses the ability to stop on their own.
Alcoholism in Veterans
Alcoholism, also known as alcohol use disorder (AUD), is a medical condition. Alcohol abuse, alcohol misuse, and alcohol addiction all refer to AUD when an individual is dependent on the substance. The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) states that several factors can increase a person’s risk of developing an AUD such as drinking at a young age, genetic predisposition, a family history of alcohol problems, mental health conditions, and a history of trauma.
In studying the relationship between PTSD and alcohol abuse, the National Center for PTSD found that either condition can trigger the other. Simply put, trauma can lead to alcoholism, and alcoholism can lead to trauma. An unfortunate result of this connection is that AUD is the most common form of addiction in military members.
The work of U.S. service members is unpredictable and perilous, requiring them to be in unfamiliar territory and always on guard. Upon returning to civilian life, adjusting to normalcy is a challenge. Because of the stress during deployment, as well as the trauma they may battle upon their return, addiction is common. Consequently, alcoholism often starts as a desire to numb the pain. Unfortunately, AUD is the most common form of addiction in military members.
Certain factors increase the likeliness of alcohol addiction in veterans. For example, combat plays a key role in alcohol abuse. Those who were exposed to combat are more likely to engage in binge drinking and other alcoholism precursors. Rehab for veterans addresses trauma-led alcohol abuse.
Drug Abuse in Military Veterans
Substance abuse disorders (SUD) include the use of opioids, sedatives, stimulants, hallucinogens, and other psychoactive drugs like cannabis. On the one hand, active service members are discouraged from drug use due to enforced policies of abstinence. After deployment, however, studies find that veterans often turn to drugs as a way to self-medicate their symptoms of PTSD.
SUDs are more common in young males than in other demographics, and cannabis is the most common illicit drug used by service members. Opioid addiction is also prevalent, as opioids can be prescribed for common physical symptoms like chronic pain. Unfortunately, research shows veterans often reach a “crisis point” before searching for help. While specialized treatment for veterans is available many people minimize their drug abuse or put off seeking treatment. As they continue to abuse drugs, veterans increase their risk of developing a drug addiction.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please reach out for help today.
How Does PTSD Effect Addiction?
First responders and military members shouldn’t feel there are any barriers to receiving help since rehab centers are widely available. Often, treatment facilities have specialized care program tracks specifically for addressing veterans’ issues.
One such reoccurring issue in current and former service personnel is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD can materialize after high-risk situations where the threat of death is high. Because veterans and service members work in war zones and emergency situations, their trauma can be debilitating. Without treatment, PTSD can be chronic, but individuals can recover with rehabilitation.
Symptoms of PTSD include:
- Flashbacks (stressful memories/intrusive thoughts)
- Feelings of disconnection from others
- Loss of interest in activities
- Avoidance of certain places or activities
- Impaired executive functioning
- Feelings of blame (survivor’s guilt)
- Depression and hopelessness
- Suicidality
- Anxiety and fear
- Nightmares
- Insomnia
- Aggression
- Angry outbursts
- Jumpiness
- Guardedness
- Self-isolation
Traumatic events can have a lasting impact on individuals and families. Without seeking treatment, these effects can continue to worsen, often resulting in harmful behaviors such as self-harm and substance abuse. That is why it’s important to seek help from experienced treatment professionals who specialize in treating the symptoms of addiction and trauma.
During treatment in a rehab for veterans, individual’s can benefit from evidence-based programs that are designed to address their unique experiences. By receiving specialized care, veterans can recover from PTSD and substance abuse and create a new life of health and wellness.
PTSD and Substance Abuse in Veterans
The impact of PTSD and addiction on the lives of individuals and their families can be devastating. This is especially true for individuals who retire from the military. Veterans who suffer from PTSD are more likely to misuse drugs or alcohol, making the combination of these conditions one of the greatest challenges facing the country’s military personnel of today and tomorrow.
Recognizing just how common both of these dangerous conditions are in the lives of our nation’s veterans can highlight the importance of treatment. Statistics on the prevalence of co-occurring PTSD and SUD in veterans include:
- Over 2 of 10 Veterans with PTSD also have a substance use disorder (SUD)
- Nearly 1 out of every 3 Veterans seeking treatment for SUD also has PTSD
- 1 in 10 Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans have a problem with alcohol or drugs
- 3 out of 10 Veterans with PTSD smoke cigarettes
Likewise, research on the relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder, suicide, and overdose deaths in veterans highlights the dangers of untreated PTSD. Without seeking treatment, veterans continue to struggle with symptoms of distress in the later stages of life, and in turn, significantly raise their risk of non-fatal suicide attempts and overdose deaths by suicide. To prevent the unnecessary risk of suicide and overdose deaths, alcohol and drug rehabs for veterans provide effective, trauma-informed care to treat substance abuse and co-occurring PTSD.
Self-Assessment: Am I Addicted?
Help for Veterans with Substance Abuse
and Addiction
As mentioned, statistics show that many veterans battle with joint substance abuse and PTSD. Over 2 out of 10 veterans with PTSD have co-occurring SUD. Further, they show that U.S. military members returning from deployment who have addiction and PTSD engage in periods of binge drinking.
The number of veterans affected by addiction is alarming when approached without a solid treatment option. Veterans may feel as though they’ll be just another statistic. Family members may worry that their loved one will never recover from their trauma. However, the positive news is that specialized rehab for veterans understands the needs of service members and provides it.
At Royal, we prioritize care and treatment for veterans through our Valor Program. Accordingly, this tailored specialty treatment program is both population-specific and personalized on an individual level.
The Importance of Trauma-Informed Care for Military Veterans
Unfortunately, emergency workers often struggle with more than one severe issue that won’t go away on their own. Rehab addresses comorbid alcohol and drug use disorders (SUD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It helps veterans with whatever they are struggling with.
Rehab’s treatment goals aim to upheave the negative power of addiction and mental disease for lasting life fulfillment. The following are only some of the benefits trauma-informed care provides:
- Safe, effective alcohol and drug detoxification
- Addressing the impact of trauma and substance use
- Targeting SUD and PTSD symptoms simultaneously
- Trauma-focused therapies like EMDR and TF-CBT
- Processing trauma, grief, and loss
- Guidance in adjusting to civilian life
- Life assistance (vocational, financial, legal, housing)
- Identifying purpose in life
- Learning healthy coping strategies
- Engaging in stress reduction exercises
- Practicing relaxation techniques
- Building self-resilience and inner motivation
- Reestablishing a sense of safety
- Rebuilding trust in a judgment-free environment
During addiction treatment, trauma-informed care can be an important part of one’s recovery journey. Through our comprehensive addiction treatment programs, we seek to give individuals the tools they need to heal from their traumas while also providing a safe environment for detoxing from drugs and alcohol. During inpatient rehab for veterans, our intensive therapies address each individual’s battles in a way that resonates with them.
We believe that through education, support, and compassion, anyone struggling with addiction can reclaim their life and find hope for the future. That is why our team of licensed and experienced clinicians dedicates their life’s work to helping you learn how to cope with past traumas in healthy ways. With Royal Life Centers’ help, you can begin to build a healthier lifestyle for yourself in recovery.
Royal’s Valor Program for Veterans
At Royal Life Centers, our team is dedicated to helping veterans with drug or alcohol addiction get back on their feet. Our Valor Program offers an individualized treatment tailored to meet the unique needs of each veteran who enters our care.
By partnering with Veterans Affairs, Royal Life Centers seeks to ensure our nation’s heroes receive the best possible care available for their unique needs. We work diligently to create an atmosphere where every veteran feels safe to open up about their mental health and substance abuse issues, knowing that our trained professionals are equipped to help them rebuild their lives.
Our team of doctors, nurses, counselors, and therapists understand that each individual is different and we understand the struggles veterans face when it comes to substance abuse. With clinical guidance, support groups, holistic therapies, and a variety of other evidence-based approaches designed just for veterans in mind — you can trust that we are committed to providing every guest with comprehensive care that encourages long-term sobriety.
Whenever you’re ready to start healing, call 888-568-5998. Our compassionate admissions team is available 24/7 to help you begin your journey to a fulfilling life in recovery. We’ll help you find the courage and strength to overcome addiction and reclaim your life. We’re here for you every step of the way — Because We Care.
What Does Our Veterans Rehab Program Offer?
Royal Life Centers’ Veterans Valor Program offers personalized treatment plans for guests. Whether they’re first responders or U.S. service members, the Valor initiative is a trauma-informed treatment plan. By specializing the program for the population, we can target the specific needs of guests. For example, guests often enter the veterans rehab center with co-occurring PTSD and SUD. The specialized track offers both exposure-based PTSD treatment and behavioral SUD treatment.
Along with personalized treatment plans for military veterans, the Valor Program includes:
- A full continuum of care
- Licensed and experienced medical staff
- 24/7 supervision in inpatient levels of care
- Detoxification and withdrawal management
- Individualized treatment plans
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Psychiatric medication management
- Integrative case management
- Seeking Safety curriculum
- Trauma-informed care
- Addiction and mental health education
- Evidence-based therapies
- Expressive arts therapies
- Holistic and wellness services
- Relapse prevention planning
- Life-skills training
- Experiential activities
- Physical fitness options
- Nutrition counseling
- Peer support groups
- Family integration
- Aftercare services
- Flexible outpatient programs
- Sober living residences
- Alumni services
Veterans’ mental health services are important to us, which is why our program follows the Seeking Safety curriculum. Additionally, our team includes certified professionals, many with military backgrounds. Throughout each level of care, our clinicians monitor guests’ progress and provide 24/7 medical care and support. Depending on the unique circumstances of each individual, our programs can also provide medication management services for withdrawal and/or co-occurring disorders. Our trauma-informed care for addiction and PTSD is available for those who are ready to access it!
Have any questions?
Our Rehab Programs for Veterans
At Royal Life Centers, we prioritize the comfort and well-being of our guests throughout their journey towards recovery from addiction and co-occurring disorders. That’s why we provide a comprehensive continuum of care for drug and alcohol use disorders across our network of addiction treatment centers. Our goal is to ensure that every individual receives the highest level of support and achieves a sense of well-being after their time in treatment.
Our comprehensive addiction treatment programs guide individuals through a seamless progression, starting from detox and residential inpatient services to partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient treatment. Each phase is meticulously crafted to equip guests with the necessary resources to sustain their sobriety. As part of our commitment to long-term care, we also extend an invitation to our serene sober living residences during the aftercare phase of treatment—PHP, IOP, and OP.
Our Inpatient Rehab Programs for Veterans
Royal Life Centers at The Haven provides comprehensive inpatient treatment programs for those struggling with addiction. Our experienced team of clinicians and counselors work together to provide individualized treatment plans that focus on the unique needs of each guest.
Royal Life Centers inpatient programs include:
- Medical detox program
The initial detox phase can last from a few days to a week, during which medications are utilized in the management of withdrawal symptoms. With detox, veterans will begin participating in individual and group therapies to identify and address addictive behaviors.
- Residential inpatient program
The residential portion of treatment typically lasts 2 weeks, incorporating medication management, intensive therapies, addiction counseling, mental health education to establish coping skills and build solidify a foundation of sobriety.
During inpatient treatment, our experienced staff are available any time of day or night to provide medical support and guidance to guests, so no one ever has to feel alone during their journey of recovery. We are here to ensure each individual’s success in achieving a life without addiction.
Our Aftercare Programs for Veterans
Royal Life Centers provides continuing care services for veterans in Sound Recovery, our outpatient facility located right next door. During these lower levels of care, our addiction treatment services focus on teaching life skills, relapse prevention, and providing an environment that supports recovery success. In addition to traditional therapies such as individual counseling, group therapy, family therapy, and 12-step meetings, we offer unique activities such as art therapy workshops and adventure outings to help bring new perspectives into the healing process.
Royal Life Centers aftercare and outpatient treatment programs include:
- Aftercare programs
Aftercare incorporates two separate levels of care, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient, that last 12 weeks. Held on an outpatient basis, aftercare services provide transitionary treatment and ongoing care as Veterans readjust to life outside the facility. For this reason, those participating in aftercare gain the opportunity to return home or move in to one of our sober living residences while undergoing treatment.
- Outpatient program (OP)
Our outpatient treatment services offer an extension of the clinical treatment and guidance while reinforcing the least amount of restrictions to support the establishment of self-sufficiency. Following the completion of our higher levels of care, veterans can receive ongoing clinical care, peer support, and recovery resources to support long-term recovery.
Are you looking for help with addiction? Let us support you on the path to lasting recovery
What To Expect During Rehab for Veterans
At Royal Life Centers, we strive to provide compassionate care in a welcoming environment, so each veteran can embark on his or her path of recovery with confidence. We understand the unique pressures veterans face and provide the tools and resources they need for a successful recovery. Our team of therapists, psychiatrists, nurses, and support staff is here 24/7 to assist you on your journey back to health and wellness.
With our comprehensive addiction treatment plans, we work together with each veteran to create a personalized treatment plan that combines evidence-based therapies with strategies for healthier living, we are committed to helping veterans reclaim their lives from addiction – and return home with the strength and resilience needed to stay on the path of recovery.
Therapy Services for Veterans
At Royal Life Centers, we strive to provide compassionate care in a welcoming environment, so each veteran can embark on his or her path of recovery with confidence. We understand the unique pressures veterans face and provide the tools and resources they need for a successful recovery. Our team of therapists, psychiatrists, nurses, and support staff is here 24/7 to assist you on your journey back to health and wellness.
As guests progress through the earliest stages of recovery, they begin working through their substance abuse in both group and individual counseling sessions. Starting in detox and continuing on throughout each level of care, our intensive therapies provide an opportunity for veterans to process their trauma, work through difficult emotions, and develop the skills necessary for long-term recovery.
During treatment, our therapists utilize evidence-based therapies known to benefit the treatment of addiction and PTSD such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and equine-assisted therapy (EAT). Guests can also participate in expressive arts therapy sessions that incorporate art, music, writing, and movement to encourage healthy forms of self-expression. Likewise, we provide holistic activities — such as yoga, meditation, and spiritual counseling to establish relaxation techniques for stress management.
By combining evidence-based therapies with strategies for healthier living, we are committed to helping veterans reclaim their lives from addiction – and return home with the strength and resilience needed to stay on the path of recovery.
Family Integration During Rehab
Knowing that relationship strain often occurs as a result of addiction, we also provide resources for families and loved ones. During residential treatment, we provide each guest with an opportunity to incorporate their loved ones during sessions with their individual therapist. In doing so, our collaboration with guests means that they have the freedom to choose the optimal amount of family involvement for their recovery.
We also provide family resources like educational information, family counseling, and resources to support groups. This helps to repair relationships while providing guests with the tools they need to work on their recovery from addiction.
We understand how difficult it can be for families facing addiction, so we strive to make our services as accessible as possible. Through compassion and understanding, RoyaL Life Centers at The Haven works with every guest and their loved ones to ensure they succeed in their journey toward lasting sobriety.
Comprehensive Treatment Programs for Veterans with Co-occurring Disorders
Veterans and active service members have an increased likelihood of developing co-occurring disorders due to the stressful and traumatic nature of their jobs. In fact, 3.9 million veterans were diagnosed with SUD, mental illness, or both in 2019. An estimated 1 in 15 Vets are affected.
For this reason, Royal Life Centers’ Valor Program places a strong emphasis on dual diagnosis treatment services specifically designed to aid first responders and veterans with co-occurring disorders. This special program track also provides personalized treatment plans, medically assisted detoxification, intensive evidence-based services, case management, aftercare planning, and trauma-informed therapies.
We believe it’s essential we care for our service members which is why we provide comprehensive care, support, and resources for all veterans from across the country. We are committed to helping them achieve their goals of sobriety and recovery while providing a safe, nurturing environment where they can heal.
Entering Royal’s Valor Program
Entering Royal Life Centers’ Valor Program is simple but it will change your life. While joining our veterans rehab center may feel like an intimidating change to those struggling with substance abuse which is we make our admissions process as easy as possible.
If you’re ready to make a lasting difference and begin walking the road to sobriety, reach out to enter our addiction treatment program for veterans. Our compassionate admissions team is ready to take your call at any time and help you begin your journey towards recovery.
To expedite your entrance into our Valor Program, fill out the insurance verification form. In doing so, our admissions team will be able to give you a better idea of what your coverage could look like. If your insurance is through Veteran Affairs, then your benefits will completely cover your treatment at Royal!
Alcohol and Drug Rehab for Veterans Near Me
Royal Life Centers is a nationwide network of addiction treatment centers with locations in Washington State and Arizona. Our Valor Program is offered at each of our eight veteran rehab centers to ensure those with PTSD and addiction can receive the trauma-informed care they need to recover.
Alcohol and Drug Rehab for Veterans in Washington State
Our veteran rehab centers in Washington State include:
- Royal Life Centers at The Haven is our detoxification and inpatient treatment center in Lacey, Washington.
- Royal Life Centers at Sound Recovery is our aftercare and outpatient treatment center in Lacey, Washington.
- Royal Life Centers at Puget Sound is our detox and residential inpatient treatment center in Sumner, Washington.
- Royal Life Centers at Spokane Heights is our detox and inpatient treatment center in Spokane, Washington.
- Royal Life Centers at Cascade Heights is our aftercare and outpatient treatment center in Mead, Washington.
Alcohol and Drug Rehab for Veterans in Prescott, Arizona
Our veteran rehab centers in Prescott, Arizona include:
Getting help is a huge personal step to take, but it’s one you’ll always look back on as the turning point. Take the first step and contact us today by calling 888-568-5998 to learn more about our addiction treatment program for veterans. Our admissions team is available 24/7 to answer any questions and help get the process started towards recovery.
2020 National survey on drug use and health: Veteran adults – SAMHSA
Alcohol’s effects on health – NIH
PTSD and substance abuse in veterans – U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Substance use and military life DrugFacts – NIH
Substance use disorders in military veterans: prevalence and treatment challenges – NIH
The role of symptom accommodation in trauma-focused treatment engagement and response – NIH
Looking for a Drug and Alcohol Rehab for Veterans?
If you or a loved one is a Veteran currently struggling with addiction, please reach out to us to find out more about how our rehab for veterans can help. We work with most private insurance policies and we have affordable self-pay rates if you do not have insurance. Give us a call and we will figure out the best treatment plan for you or your loved one.
Because We Care.
Would you like more information?
If you or someone you know has a substance use disorder, we hope you’ll begin your journey with us at Royal Life Centers.
