If you’re looking for veterans drug rehab in California, Journey Hillside is the ideal space for you. We offer comprehensive substance abuse treatment to veterans who are dealing with the effects of addiction.
The first step towards recovery is recognizing that you need help. Find out how to get the help you need in the sections below and learn about how veteran substance abuse treatment works.
How Drug Addiction Impacts Veterans
Drug addiction can affect veterans in a variety of ways, all of which are serious issues. Below are some of the most common and severe effects of drug addiction on the veteran population.
- Can lead to homelessness: Struggling with drug addiction can make it difficult to maintain a job and financial stability. A failed drug test can cost you your career and can even leave you at risk of homelessness.
- Can cause family issues: Drug addiction in veterans is also known to cause conflict between family members. If you refuse to get the help you need to overcome your addiction, your family’s emotional health can suffer and conflict can arise.
- Can increase the risk of self-harm and suicide: Many hurting veterans use substances to cope with the physical and emotional pain they feel. However, drugs and other addictive substances don’t offer a solution or a sense of hope — they only create greater problems. Drug addiction has been found to increase the risk of suicide and self-harming behaviors in the veteran population.
- Can worsen existing mental health issues: Drugs can seem like a potential coping mechanism if you deal with mental health issues. However, a substance abuse problem is known to worsen the severity of conditions like anxiety, depression, and PTSD in many cases.
- Can contribute to coexisting addictions: A drug habit feeds the addictive cycle, making you more prone to developing other addictions. For this reason, alcoholism and drug addiction often coexist in the veteran population.
Causes of Substance Abuse in Veterans
Below are some of the most common causes of substance abuse in veterans, including PTSD, chronic pain, alcoholism, and mental health conditions.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Many veterans experience the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following active duty. PTSD is triggered by traumatic experiences, and its emotional effects can be difficult to handle. As a result, some veterans who struggle with PTSD may turn to substances to cope.
Chronic Pain
Veterans with service-connected injuries run the risk of developing an addiction to prescription painkillers. The medications prescribed to treat chronic pain can be extremely addictive, and it’s vital to only use these drugs as recommended.
Alcoholism
A co-occurring problem with alcohol can lead to the development of a drug problem in many cases. At our drug rehab for veterans, we address the problems of both drug and alcohol addiction.
Mental Health Issues
Mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder can all exacerbate a veteran’s addictive tendencies. For this reason, our drug rehab for veterans offers dual diagnosis treatment that addresses the underlying connection between mental health and addiction.
Symptoms and Signs of Substance Abuse in Veterans
Substance abuse in veterans can initially be difficult to spot. However, as the best drug rehab for addicted veterans California has to offer, we have the expertise required to recognize those signs.
Below are the key physical and behavioral symptoms of substance abuse in veterans.
Physical Symptoms
Physical symptoms of substance abuse include:
- Problems with fatigue
- Changes in weight
- Red eyes
- Vomiting
- Chills or sweating
- Track marks (in the case of heroin use)
Behavioral Symptoms
The behavioral symptoms of substance abuse include:
- Impulsive behavior
- Changes in eating patterns
- Struggles with money
- Increased anger and irritability
- Increased time spent alone
- Decreased motivation to focus on work
- Increased depression and anxiety
How To Get Help for Addicted Veterans
If you or a loved one are a veteran struggling with addiction, know that there is hope. The help you need can come in the form of support, intervention, therapy, or a residential treatment program.
Support
Support groups that follow a 12-step plan are some of the most valuable resources for anyone struggling with addiction. These groups give you actionable steps for ongoing sobriety, as well as a community of peers to turn to when you are struggling.
Therapy
Several forms of therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) are evidence-based treatment methods for substance abuse.
Intervention
Intervention is often the first step towards getting the help you need to recover from drug addiction. An intervention typically involves your friends, healthcare provider, and anyone else in your support system strongly encouraging you to seek treatment. Recognizing that you need help and responding by taking action can be the turning point that puts you in a position to start healing.
Options for Treatment
In addition to outpatient treatment — treatment that you undergo while living at home — you can also get treated for addiction while living at a residential facility. The inpatient rehab route can be one of the best settings for recovery, as it gets you away from potential triggers and places you in a supportive environment.
Inpatient treatment for addiction involves a combination of highly effective strategies, including medically assisted detox, therapy individually and in groups, relapse prevention, and more.
Benefits of Drug Rehab for Veterans
Drug rehab for veterans can do all of the following for you:
- Give you back your hope for recovery
- Give you the support you need to get clean and stay clean
- Offer practical steps to take to improve your life
- Help you detox without severe withdrawals
- Address the root causes of your addiction
- Give you a stable and drug-free place to live
Get Veterans Help for Drug Addiction Today
If you need help overcoming drug addiction, contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you in your recovery.
