Veterans often deal with lasting mental health effects from their time in service. Unfortunately, this can cause them to develop unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as drug and alcohol abuse. Because of the ongoing opioid crisis, many veterans have developed an opioid use disorder.
According to research published in the National Library of Medicine (NLM), “U.S. military veterans have been heavily impacted by the opioid overdose crisis, with drug overdose mortality rates increasing by 53% from 2010–2019.”[1]
If you are a veteran who struggles with opioid addiction, attending a rehab center that specializes in veteran mental health and opioid use disorder can greatly benefit you. During opioid rehab for veterans in San Antonio, you can expect to participate in a range of comprehensive treatment services that address your physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
How Do Opioid Rehab Centers for Veterans in San Antonio Work?
Opioid rehab centers for veterans embrace trauma-informed care and evidence-based addiction treatment services, including medical detox, individual therapy, group counseling, and aftercare support.
Assessment and Individualized Treatment Planning
The first step in opioid addiction treatment for veterans in San Antonio is an initial assessment. These assessments will collect information about your physical health, mental health, and trauma, as well as your history of opioid abuse. The information gathered will then be used to create an individualized treatment plan to ensure all of your unique needs are met.
Individualized treatment plans include the types of therapies you will benefit from based on your situation, such as if you require medical detox services, whether you should engage in a specialized counseling group, and how long you will require treatment.
Medical Detox
After your treatment plan is created, you will begin medical detox. Opioid addiction causes your brain and body to rely on opioids to function properly. Once you stop using them, you will experience withdrawal symptoms.
While opioid withdrawal is usually not life-threatening, it can be incredibly difficult to cope with and lead to relapse when left untreated. But during detox, doctors can prescribe medications like Suboxone or methadone to ensure that your withdrawal symptoms do not become severe.
Trauma-Informed Therapies
Once you have completed detox, you will begin attending therapy sessions for your opioid addiction. Veteran’s therapy is typically trauma-informed, as many veterans have a history of trauma and sometimes suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), meaning all therapies are sensitive to trauma and aim to heal the effects of traumatic events in one’s life.
In addition to having a focus on treating trauma, therapy will help you to unpack the causes of your opioid addiction, teach you how to self-regulate your emotions, and provide you with healthy coping mechanisms that allow you to avoid triggers for opioid abuse.
Group Counseling
While one-on-one therapy offers many of the tools you need to remain sober, another important aspect of opioid addiction recovery is group counseling. Attending counseling groups will allow you to break down feelings of isolation related to thinking you are the only one dealing with the issues associated with being a veteran and suffering from opioid addiction.
Even further, counseling groups encourage a feeling of community that is necessary for recovery, as your peers will be able to offer you support and advice throughout the treatment process.
Holistic Treatments
While traditional therapy can help you recover behaviorally and emotionally, veterans opioid rehab centers in San Antonio use holistic treatments to treat the “whole person.” Holistic treatments are designed to help you recover emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Because addiction can impact every area of your life, holistic therapies can be incredibly beneficial.
Examples of holistic treatments used during opioid rehab for veterans include:
- Meditation and mindfulness
- Breathing techniques
- Nutritional counseling
- Exercise
- Acupuncture
- Art and music therapy
Aftercare Planning
Lastly, opioid rehab centers for veterans in San Antonio facilitate comprehensive aftercare planning so that you’re prepared before you complete your treatment program. Aftercare planning involves creating a plan to prevent relapse and identifying supportive services that can help you remain sober outside of your facility.
Examples of relapse prevention techniques and aftercare services include:
- A list of triggers that are personal to you
- Coping mechanisms that work for you to use during times of need
- People you can call for support when you need it
- Continued attendance at therapy
- Recommendations on local support groups to attend
- Referrals to sober living housing programs
- Access to alumni support groups
- Case management services like vocational, legal, and medical assistance
Find Opioid Rehab for Veterans in San Antonio
If you or a loved one is a veteran who struggles with opioid addiction, Alamo Behavioral Health is here to help. We offer our clients compassionate and trauma-informed care to ensure that they recover on all fronts.
To learn more about our opioid addiction treatment center for veterans in San Antonio, contact us today.
References:
- The National Library of Medicine (NLM): U.S. Military veterans and the opioid overdose crisis: a review of risk factors and prevention efforts, Retrieved November 2023 From https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9262363/
