Residential Rehab for Veterans: Drug & Alcohol Addiction

VA Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment

Overview

VA residential rehabilitation treatment, sometimes referred to as inpatient residential or domiciliary care, provides comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation services to Veterans with mental health conditions like posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and substance use disorder. The programs take a whole health approach to address challenges these Veterans may experience, including medical concerns and social needs such as employment and housing. The programs provide these services 24/7 in a structured, supportive, and comfortable residential environment. For Veterans experiencing an acute mental health crisis, VA provides immediate access to acute inpatient mental health care. Our goal is to empower each Veteran to regain a lifestyle of self-care, independence, and personal responsibility.

How we support each Veteran’s recovery

Every Veteran’s path to recovery is unique. That’s why VA’s mental health residential treatment offers support and services that are:

• Veteran centered. Each Veteran helps shape their recovery plan and goals, which are collaboratively created according to the Veteran’s strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences.
• Individualized. We offer various evidence-based treatments, including therapies and medications, so that Veterans can find what works best for them.
• Integrated. Recovery plans address co-occurring mental health and medical conditions, because we know addressing them together improves outcomes.
• Recovery oriented. Our focus is on giving Veterans the ability to build on their strengths, function independently, and participate in their community.
• Outcome focused. We measure success by a Veteran’s ability to maintain or improve on the gains they make under our care as they continue their recovery journey with outpatient support in the community following discharge.

Types of services and programs

Compensated Work Therapy-Transitional Residence

Designed for Veterans who face employment barriers due to mental health conditions or physical disabilities, Compensated Work Therapy-Transitional Residence (CWT-TR) provides Veterans with assistance and coaching to find and retain jobs as they continue treatment, empowering their transition to independent living. CWT-TR homes are often located in the community, providing a transitional home for Veterans as they work toward successful integration into the community. Veterans pay a program fee⁠—derived from their CWT-related earnings⁠—to help cover residential costs.

General mental health

The programs provide evidence-based treatments for many types of mental health concerns, including anxiety, mood, posttraumatic stress, psychotic, and substance use disorders. Veterans with mental health concerns who are receiving services at Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Centers can simultaneously enroll in residential rehabilitation.

Homelessness

This program, sometimes referred to as Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans (DCHV), is for Veterans with mental health concerns who are homeless, at risk for homelessness, or otherwise lacking a stable lifestyle or living arrangement that is conducive to their goal of recovery. Care is provided for multiple challenges, illnesses, or rehabilitative needs. When Veterans finish the residential program, they are discharged to appropriate safe housing.

PTSD

Treatment for PTSD is provided through evidence-based therapies, medications, and support that fosters independence, self-determination, and coping skills. The programs also provide treatment for conditions that often co-occur with PTSD, such as chronic pain, substance use disorder, and traumatic brain injury. Services are available to treat PTSD related to Veterans’ experiences of combat trauma, military sexual trauma (MST), and other lifetime traumas.

Substance use disorder (drugs, alcohol, and tobacco)

The programs give Veterans access to multiple evidence-based treatments for substance use disorder, including cognitive behavioral therapy, and prescribe medications for alcohol, opioid, and tobacco use disorders as appropriate. They also provide access to mutual-help groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous and SMART Recovery, that meet on- or off-site.

Women Veterans

Services tailored for women Veterans include treatment for sexual trauma, intimate partner violence, eating disorders, and mental and reproductive health needs; guaranteed access to women clinicians; locking bedrooms and bathrooms; and women-only spaces for leisure time. Many programs provide a separate and secured unit for women.

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