Since the founding of the United States, Massachusetts has had a proud history of patriotism. Today an estimated 380,000 veterans live in Massachusetts. While many veterans fought in combat abroad, they have returned home to face other challenges.
Transitioning from military life to civilian life can be difficult, but this transition can be even more challenging when your past includes traumatic events and experiences. After serving, many veterans in Massachusetts and throughout the United States struggle with physical and mental health. Problems with either may lead to a variety of other challenges, including substance use disorders. Fortunately, there are addiction treatment programs for veterans in Massachusetts that can help them recover and work toward a happy civilian life.
Veterans and Mental Health
Many veterans will struggle with symptoms of mental illness. Their poor mental health is likely due to high stress and regular exposure to traumatic events during service. Some of the most common mental health conditions for veterans include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
While occurrences of these conditions are high among veterans, rates of PTSD tend to be the highest. PTSD is connected to trauma, and by some estimates, it is 15 times more common among military members and veterans than civilians. These symptoms can range from mild to severe, but if ignored, they may get worse. Mental health care for veterans struggling can help keep their symptoms from negatively impacting other areas of their life.
Veterans and Substance Use
Some veterans also struggle with drug or alcohol use in different degrees of severity. These rates of use and addiction may result from a variety of factors but can lead to costly consequences without treatment.
In some cases, veteran substance use is connected to poor mental health. One study of Vietnam veterans found that of those with PTSD, 74% also had a substance use disorder. As veterans struggle to get the treatment they need for their mental health, they may turn to unhealthy coping methods like drinking or drug use. While these substances can help veterans “self-medicate,” they ultimately tend to make symptoms worse and may lead to a substance use disorder. At Vertava Health, our veterans addiction treatment center in Massachusetts can address these struggles and concerns to promote lasting sobriety.
Substance use among veterans may also be a result of physical health challenges. Because of the dangerous and physically demanding nature of serving, some veterans may get injured during combat or struggle with chronic pain. While an effective way to treat this pain, prescription opioids can also be addictive if misused. Our opioid addiction treatment in Massachusetts will help veterans learn new ways of dealing with pain without relying on these medications.
Substance Use Treatment Programs for Veterans in Massachusetts
While many veterans struggle with substance use and poor mental health, a lot do not get the care they need to achieve long-term sobriety. We want to help change that. We offer veterans substance use treatment in Massachusetts to help them find lasting sobriety as they transition to a civilian lifestyle.
At Vertava Health Massachusetts, we believe that healing is different for every patient. With individualized treatment plans and a wide variety of programs that may not be offered through Veterans Affairs, we can help veterans with unique needs find the comprehensive care they are seeking. We will work with Veterans Affairs and your case manager to determine the best treatment plan for you and guide you through the approval process.
With a continuum of care that extends from medical detox to virtual services, we offer substance use treatment programs for veterans in various stages of addiction and recovery. All our programs follow American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) guidelines, and we use measurement-based assessments tools to ensure patients are at the appropriate level of treatment throughout the recovery process.
Patients in our residential treatment program in Massachusetts will partake in various treatment modalities and services led by a team of certified and licensed professionals. With evidence-based programs that help veterans work through past trauma and other hurdles, there is a focus on the patient’s mental health needs. This type of targeted approach to substance use treatment for veterans experiencing symptoms of PTSD or other mental health disorders helps promote long-term success in recovery.
Get the Help You Need and Deserve at Vertava Health–Massachusetts
There is hope for a brighter future. If you are a veteran needing help, do not wait any longer to get it. At Vertava Health Massachusetts, we can help you work toward a happier and healthier life. Call us today at 888.655.0289.
