Rehab for veterans
After years of hardships away from home, returning to your country to live as a veteran in an entirely too comfortable lifestyle is a task that is hard to comprehend, for some veterans, only solved by spending time in rehab. Being in the military means learning to live under strict discipline with peers and higher-rank officers who must hold themselves to a standard fit for military survival. The new habits and coping mechanisms learned during a challenging time can be unsuitable for day-to-day civilian life, often requiring veterans to enter a period of rehab in order to unlearn and reintegrate back into healthy, comfortable lifestyles exclusive of the substance and drug abuse of which veterans often fall victim.
- Jump to
- Mental health and veterans
- What rehab means for veterans
- Why veterans go to rehab
- How does rehab for veterans work?
- Which rehab programme should veterans enrol in?
- What you should do next
- Frequently asked questions
Mental health and veterans
As a result of the hardships experienced abroad as well as the sudden environmental change, studies have shown that veterans often develop mental health illnesses such as depression, alcohol abuse, anxiety and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). While PTSD has been commonly quoted as a frequent effect of war, the real number of people afflicted with this severe mental state is less than that of depression, alcohol abuse and anxiety. Nonetheless, rehab for veterans often caters to this mental affliction owing to its severity and the effect it can have on veterans as well as their friends and family.
Meanwhile, it was most commonly found through research that substance abuse in veterans is the second most frequently occurring ailment upon returning home. This is because military officers often use alcohol as a coping mechanism. It can also be a bonding activity between peers and commanding officers as well as a general way of life.
The most common ailment is anxiety caused by the traumatic experiences during their time in service followed by the return to civilian life, which can also aggravate substance and drug abuse in veterans.
Why veterans go to rehab
As challenging and as life-changing as military service can be, returning to civilian life does not call for survival instincts and military discipline to be applied during day-to-day life. To that end, coping mechanisms used in times of service would be damaging and could cause a veteran to be riddled with substance abuse and addiction problems for the rest of their lives, progressing them rapidly to further physical and psychological complications. Instead, veterans who seek out rehab can learn to deal with anxiety, PTSD and substance and drug abuse without having to depend on a substance.
How does rehab for veterans work?
Beginning a rehab programme as a veteran kicks off with a drug and alcohol detox. A detox is discontinuing the use of a substance or drug to remove it from the body. Thus, the alcohol and drug rehab programme takes place through physical and mental sobriety for the veteran. After a detox, veterans in rehab will be able to progress through a rehab programme that includes small group and individual therapy where they can feel supported by peers and professional mental health and addiction specialists.
The goal of rehab for veterans is to be able to live a regular, healthy civilian life. Thus, many private rehabs have gym equipment and workout rooms to enable positive physical activity that will also support mental rejuvenation.
Furthermore, a variety of diverse treatments are available at private rehab programmes to enable veterans to experience a holistic rehabilitation experience. These are accompanied by peaceful, picturesque locations that will help veterans find their own form of tranquillity during their residency. With that, medical and substance abuse rehab professionals are always available to help guide resident veterans toward different mindsets and healthier coping mechanisms.
Which rehab programme should veterans enrol in?
Once you have decided that rehab is the best option for you and your loved one, you will also have to decide which rehab programme to enrol in. The options will depend on location and cost.
As veterans have been through enough hardships and challenges, it would only stand to reason that they should spend their time healing in a scenic, picturesque location that will encourage them to meditate and find peace within themselves. A rehab treatment location for veterans will ideally be surrounded by nature and space rather than in a dark environment. You should also consider the location of the rehab in relation to their support system. Veterans surrounded by their support system during their rehab programme will remind them of the importance of family and relationships that they may have felt distanced from during their time in service.
Furthermore, the cost of substance abuse rehab for veterans varies from one rehab to another. Public and charity-owned rehabs are often available at no cost. However, the admission time can take months or even years as that is the option that the mass population opts for. Meanwhile, private rehabs most often have quicker admission times. In fact, some private rehab clinics offer 24/7 admission for veterans who intend to begin a rehab programme and work with charities to offer discounts for treatment.
What you should do next
The challenges that you have been through are incomparable, and we have great sympathy and respect for your situation. Thus, we would like to help you get through this stage of your life as smoothly as possible. Alcohol, drug and general substance abuse rehab are programmes that welcome veterans in an understanding, open-minded and professional method. At UKAT, we welcome veterans to contact us and enrol in a substance or drug addiction rehab programme that we provide so we can help you back to a life you can be comfortable and happy living in. To get more information or find out how to begin your admissions process, contact us via phone or live chat.
