Specialized Addiction Treatment Programs for Veterans

Evidence shows that military veterans are at a greater risk of developing substance abuse issues than many other segments of the US population. Moreover, the high chances of alcohol and drug addiction co-occurring with various mental health issues are even higher for military veterans. In addition, due to physical injuries, many veterans are prescribed opioid painkillers, which, combined with unaddressed mental health disorders, frequently lead to developing dependence or addiction.1

Unfortunately, prescription medication is only one of the risk factors. Statistics show that about 14% of Afghanistan and Iraq wars suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which was proven to be one of the most severe mental health issues that lead to substance abuse. The overall rate of alcohol consumption and drug abuse (both prescription and illicit) is higher among veterans compared to other population groups.2, 3

Aside from higher chances of developing substance abuse disorders (SUD), military veterans also struggle with mental health disorders, leading to an increase in suicide attempts and high-risk behaviors in general. There have been 45% more suicide attempts by veterans suffering from some type of substance abuse disorder since 2003. About 20% of high-risk behavior deaths resulted from overdoses.1, 4

These alarming figures point to a generally low awareness of the issues veterans deal with. The high stress of military service, injuries, or being held captive contribute to emotional and psychological issues that can frequently be overlooked in the specific circumstances and environment of military culture. Many veterans never get help for problems they struggle with, even though numerous programs specifically designed for their needs are available. Salute to Recovery is one such program.1

How Does Salute To Recovery Program Help Veterans?

Salute to Recovery is a substance abuse recovery program specifically designed to accommodate the needs of active and retired US military veterans, as well as first responders like firefighters, law enforcement officers, or emergency medical providers. The program aims to provide individualized care through evidence-based alcohol addiction treatment, as well as support, solidarity, and encouragement through a network of peers who can relate to particular circumstances and experiences of military life.5

The Salute to Recovery program aims to help veterans deal with alcohol or drug addiction, often accompanied by mental health issues, and ease them back into their everyday civilian lives. Since many veterans feel disconnected from communities other than the military one, this program uses approaches and services that will help them integrate and reconnect with their families and friends. This is achieved by providing different treatment modalities and services like counseling, group sessions, creative therapies like music therapy, and trauma counseling.6

Veterans are offered tools and resources to help them learn new coping skills and change unhealthy thought and behavior patterns. By applying these new skills, they can manage their SUD recovery and reduce the risk of relapse. By using therapy approaches like cognitive-behavioral (CBT) or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), patients learn to recognize triggers, avoid them, or respond to them in ways that won’t lead to relapse.7

A team of substance abuse and mental health professionals thoroughly evaluates all patients to determine the correct diagnosis and ensure that potential co-occurring disorders are addressed. All aspects of each patient’s condition, including their physical health, must be considered when determining an appropriate substance abuse treatment program.7

What Are the Salute To Recovery Eligibility Requirements?

Since Salute to Recovery programs are designed to help struggling US military members and other first responders, they’re open to participants who have been honorably discharged and are eligible for VA benefits. This includes veterans with service-related disabilities and mental health conditions like PTSD, who also suffer from alcohol or drug dependence.5

Aside from active or retired military veterans from all branches of the US Armed Forces, the program is open to current and retired first responders like:5

  • Firefighters.
  • Police / Law Enforcement Officers
  • Emergency medical services providers.
  • Emergency dispatchers.
  • Correctional and probation officers.

All these groups serve their country and communities by performing mentally and physically demanding jobs. Unfortunately, the occupational hazards and high stress levels raise the chances of mental health problems and resorting to substance abuse as an attempt at self-medication. Therefore, recognizing and addressing potential substance abuse and getting appropriate treatment is crucial to their recovery and well-being.7

What Do Veterans Learn Through The Salute To Recovery Program?

Since the Salute to Recovery program is aimed at patients whose substance abuse issues are tightly related to the occupational stress they endured and its consequences. The main goal of this carefully designed program is to help veterans change their emotional response to stressful situations and manage thought and behavior patterns that lead to addiction.5

These changes are achieved through specific approaches and courses that include learning about and dealing with:5, 7

  • The effects of military culture. Both first responder and military culture create specific high-stress environments that don’t allow much space for dealing with one’s emotional issues and taking the time to unpack the events and hardships veterans are exposed to.8

Through these courses, patients are taught that their feelings matter and that addressing them can save them from numerous mental health issues, including severe depression and the risk of suicide. Unfortunately, the pressure of putting up a “bulletproof” façade contributes to feelings of shame and deters affected individuals from seeking help.8

  • Family and relationships. Veterans may return from their military service feeling wholly disconnected from their community, family, and friends. This is understandable, as their experiences can be difficult to explain to people who never went through anything similar. Patients are taught communication and conflict-resolution skills to prevent self-isolation and feelings of loneliness that aggravate their mental health. They also learn how to set healthy boundaries and respect those of other people.9
  • Hypervigilance management. Hypervigilance is extremely useful in life-threatening situations; it can mean the difference between life and death. However, being constantly on edge doesn’t serve its purpose in everyday life. Through the Salute to Recovery program, patients learn how to prevent inappropriate responses in situations that don’t present an objective threat. Understanding the mechanism of hypervigilance can help them deconstruct it and learn to recognize the symptoms to prevent harmful reactions.10
  • Character and values. The question of life values is crucial for all people battling addiction. When it comes to military veterans, however, the question of character is a particularly sensitive one. Accepting the fact that addiction and mental health issues are not the results of character deficiencies and weakness but an illness influenced by various external factors can be genuinely life-changing for these patients.11

However, being held accountable for one’s actions and adhering to principles of personal integrity and respect toward oneself and others is something that needs to be practiced over time.11

  • Impact of stress and stress management. There’s no question that military service is one of the most stressful and life-threatening jobs. Being exposed to severe stress on a daily basis can cause a disbalance within one’s natural coping mechanisms. As part of their addiction therapy, patients learn to recognize the signs of stress and manage it in healthier ways.7
  • Response to post-traumatic stress. This part of the program teaches patients about trauma and its effects on one’s emotional and mental health, as well as cognitive distortions PTSD might cause in some people. It also covers the topics of loss, grief, survivor guilt, and ways to find healthier ways to cope with these feelings.12

What Types of Treatment Does The Program Offer?

All effective and evidence-based substance abuse treatment programs are designed according to the specific needs of each patient or, in this case, a particular group of patients that share similar life experiences. To achieve lasting sobriety, programs are designed by selecting approaches and services best suitable for treating addiction by addressing underlying conditions and aggravating circumstances.7

The Salute to Recovery program takes all these best practices into consideration when selecting elements of the recovery process. When it comes to military veterans, the crucial ones include:5, 7

  • Medically monitored detoxification. Detox is the first step of any addiction program. Since withdrawal symptoms of alcohol or drug-dependent patients can be quite unpleasant and severe, even life-threatening in some cases, the patients are being closely monitored and usually given medication to alleviate them.

Detox usually lasts anywhere from 2-3 days up to a week. However, this is not substance abuse treatment by itself; it needs to be followed by the next stage, which involves therapy or counseling and, in some cases, pharmacotherapy.

  • Counseling or therapy is the next phase of addiction recovery treatment. It can be provided through inpatient or outpatient programs. The duration of this phase of treatment will depend on each patient’s condition, circumstances, and the severity of the addiction. The shortest treatment period is about a month (28-30) days, while more severe cases can last up to a year and even continue after the patient completes the program through outpatient services.
  • Trauma support groups. This type of group therapy provides guidance for addicted veterans and helps them deal with the traumatic experiences they experienced. Sharing the related emotions and progress with a group of peers who went through similar experiences can help patients overcome the feeling of isolation and provide them with a sense of fellowship they might be missing.
  • Anger management is an essential part of treatment for veterans since many of them are fighting feelings of loss, grief, and survivor guilt. The feeling of helplessness can quickly turn into anger issues, particularly after violent experiences and the environment. Anger management classes help participants learn how to control their anger and more constructively deal with the feelings that cause it.
  • Music therapy is one of the approaches applied by the Salute to Recovery program to help participants relax and connect with their emotions. Music therapy can help them notice, identify, and express their feelings so they can address them in a healthy way.
  • 12-step programs provide peer support through group meetings where members help each other stay on track and resist urges to go back to drinking or substance use. They create a sober environment and a sense of accountability that helps people maintain lasting sobriety.
  • Relapse prevention classes teach patients how to deal with everyday life stressors after they complete treatment. Individuals can reduce the risk of relapse by learning to recognize triggers and resist urges by changing their thought and behavior patterns. In addition, improving one’s interpersonal skills, communication, and problem-solving abilities can help them resist falling back into old, maladaptive behavior patterns.
  • Family or couples counseling. Addiction doesn’t affect only the person suffering from it; it’s often devastating for the whole family. This is why patients need to discuss their issues with their family members or partners and work on improving damaged relationships. In addition, couples can benefit from this type of counseling since it allows them to identify and address any underlying issues that may have contributed to the development of mental health or substance abuse.

Where Can I Find Rehab Facilities Near Me that Offer Salute To Recovery Program?

All eligible veterans can get insurance coverage for addiction treatment from the US Department of Veterans Affairs. The VA works with community care providers to provide healthcare services to all eligible veterans and their families. Those services include behavioral health, substance abuse, and mental health disorders.13

American addiction centers (AAC) is one of the community care providers that work with the VA to help veterans get the help they need. AAC is a network of highly reputable treatment facilities that offer individualized treatment programs for various population groups. Salute to Recovery is AAC’s addiction treatment program for military veterans and first responders.5

To find a facility near you, reach out to a free 24-hour helpline. Your call will be answered by one of the admissions navigators, who can check your insurance benefits and direct you to one of the local treatment facilities. In addition, they can answer questions about excessive alcohol use and addiction and explain diverse types of treatment programs. You can also verify your benefits by submitting an online form.