Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers for Veterans in Florida
In recent years, public awareness of Veterans’ mental health and the toll of military service has increased. According to a 2019 report by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, more than 1 in 10 Veterans have been diagnosed with a substance use disorder (SUD), the medical condition defined by the compulsive use of a substance despite the negative consequences.1 Rates of substance misuse among Veterans tends to be higher in men between the ages of 18 and 25 when compared with the civilian population.1 Despite the resounding evidence that military service members are at risk of developing SUDs, the stigma surrounding Veterans’ mental health persists. Only about 10% of Veterans diagnosed with a SUD seek treatment.2
The state of Florida has the third-largest population of Veterans living in the United States.3 There are several routes to rehab for Veterans living in Florida. It’s important to explore your options; consider quality and availability over proximity; read reviews and testimonials; and consult your primary care physician, mental healthcare provider, or an addiction care specialist to find the appropriate level of care.
How to Find Veteran Rehab in Florida
Finding a drug rehab for Veterans in Florida may seem like a daunting task. There are 530 facilities offering substance use treatment services in the state of Florida, according to the Substance and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Of those, 245 programs statewide offered mental health and substance use treatment programs specifically for Veterans.4 With so many options, how does a Veteran decipher which program is best suited for them and their needs?
Veterans can start by checking with their local Veterans Affairs (VA) office or SAMHSA, both of which may be able to provide resources for Veteran-specific treatment options. Additionally, the American Addiction Centers (AAC) locations in Florida—Recovery First Treatment Center and River Oaks Treatment Center—offer specialized programs for Veterans.
Levels of Care for Veterans in Florida
The type of treatment a Veteran receives depends on the severity of the addiction and any co-occurring mental or physical health conditions. Effective treatment means every Veteran gets an individualized treatment plan, which may include:8
Detoxification. Medically managed detox helps the Veteran rid their body of the substance while also helping them overcome the symptoms of withdrawal with interventions from medical staff to reduce discomfort and keep the individual safe.
Inpatient treatment. Residential rehab provides live-in solutions where Veterans receive supervised treatment that may include individual and group therapy, psychiatric care, education, and potentially, medication. This is all to reduce the risk of relapse by helping them resolve the issues that lead to the substance misuse and help them develop coping strategies, too.
Outpatient treatment. Outpatient treatment allows Veterans to receive structured treatment—which looks identical to inpatient services—during specific, clinic-based appointments. However, these Veterans return to their jobs, families, or outside responsibilities rather than stay at the facility.
Outpatient Programs for Veterans in Florida
Outpatient programs vary in levels of intensity. For some Veterans, outpatient programs provide a point of entry into the continuum of care. For others, outpatient programs offer a step down from more intensive programs such as inpatient care.
In Florida, there are 195 outpatient programs for Veterans, including:4
Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs). PHPs, sometimes referred to as day treatment programs, are intensive, highly structured outpatient programs that allow Veterans to live at home or in a sober living residence but attend counseling and therapy sessions at the treatment center—generally most days a week for several hours each day.
Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs). IOPs are less intensive outpatient programs that typically deliver counseling and behavioral therapies between 9 and 20 hours a week and often offer day and evening sessions for greater flexibility.
Standard outpatient care. Standard or regular outpatient programs are the least intense form of outpatient care and may deliver therapies in sessions that meet once a week or even biweekly.
Recovery First Outpatient Treatment Center and River Oaks Outpatient Treatment both offer PHPs and IOPs. Additionally, both programs have customized groups for Veterans designed to meet their unique needs. These groups cover military culture, the impact of stress, post-traumatic responses, family and relationships, cognitive distortions, needs in recovery, pain management, grief and loss, relapse prevention, and more.
Types of Therapies Used in Addiction Treatment for Veterans
Behavioral therapy. Addiction treatment commonly consists of a combination of group and individual therapy to help Veterans reduce or eliminate their substance use. These therapy sessions aim to help people change the behavior that led them to use substances. Some of the evidence-based behavioral approaches used for Veterans include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps Veterans restructure their thoughts and feelings related to substance use. It encourages them to question and examine recurring thoughts to phase out those that are negative or unhealthy. CBT can help Veterans develop coping skills, identify risky situations, navigate through them, and prevent relapse. CBT is also effective in the treatment of co-occurring mental and physical health disorders, too.
- Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). DBT teaches Veterans how to regulate their emotions to reduce self-destructive behaviors that stem from intense emotions. It helps them reduce cravings, prevent relapse, and learn healthy coping skills.
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR helps Veterans recover from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that results in symptoms and distress. By having the Veterans discuss the past trauma while simultaneously engaging other parts of the brain—through bilateral eye movements, taps, or tones—EMDR helps heal the brain’s information processing system and promotes emotional stability and symptom reduction.
Does the VA Cover Rehab Treatment in Florida?
Rehab for Veterans in Florida may be covered by VA benefits in some cases, but the VA generally must approve care before treatment starts for it to be covered.6 This determination is typically made by VA staff and eligibility is based on care, needs, and circumstances.6
The length of stay and type of care provided—such as inpatient, outpatient, or hospital detoxification services—all factor into determining what VA benefits cover.7 If you have a primary care provider through your local VA hospital, they can refer you directly to substance use treatment that is in-network with your VA benefits.7 If you do not, you can still contact the VA for referral information.7
Florida Rehab Costs for Veterans
The cost of Florida rehabs for Veterans varies based on several factors, including the length of treatment, the services rendered, the location of the facility, and additional amenities.
Do Other Insurance Providers Cover the Cost of Rehab?
If you decide to pursue substance use treatment outside of the VA hospital system, there are treatment centers that accept federal military insurance. In Florida, 271 treatment facilities accept Veterans’ or other military insurance benefits.4 Additionally, 282 facilities accept Medicaid, 190 accept Medicare, and 446 accept private health insurance plans.4 Regardless of your insurance coverage, there are numerous options for Veterans. For instance, both River Oaks and Recovery First, AAC’s two Florida treatment centers, are in-network providers with TRICARE, the VA’s medical insurance benefit for Veterans.
Can a Veteran Go to Rehab in Florida Without Insurance?
Yes, there are several facilities in Florida that offer treatment services and programs for individuals without insurance. According to SAMHSA, 8 facilities in Florida offer treatment at no charge to eligible uninsured individuals or those who cannot afford to pay.4 If you are one of those who has lost coverage, or are uninsured, you do not have to forego substance use treatment due to an inability to pay out-of-pocket. In conjunction with VA benefits, there are state-funded programs that can help you on your journey to recovery.
Additionally, there are other ways to pay for treatment in Florida. Many facilities in the state accept cash or other means of self payment such as credit or debit cards. Some treatment centers offer payment plans or other financing options to eligible Veterans, so rather than paying for the cost of treatment all at once upfront, monthly payments are made to cover the cost. And some rehabs offer scholarships or other grants to help those who qualify pay for treatment.
How Do I Choose the Best Veteran Rehab in Florida?
You want to find the best option to fit your needs. Call the facilities you’re considering and ask questions, including:
- Licenses and accreditations. A state licensed and accredited program operates according to the state’s health and safety standards.
- Treatment models used. Rehab centers offer a variety of treatment types, including inpatient treatment, outpatient services, therapies, and counseling. Consult a doctor, therapist, or intake counselor to find the best option for your needs.
- Program length. Program lengths vary. Explore your options and talk with a doctor, therapist, or other healthcare professional to help you make the right choice for your treatment needs.
- Payment options. Ask if the treatment center accepts your health insurance and speak to the facility’s insurance specialist to understand what your plan includes. In addition, ask about other ways to pay.
- Specialized programs for Veterans. Beyond the core components of evidence-based addiction treatment, which may include detox, counseling, education, pharmacological therapy, and more, inquire about other programming. For instance, some centers offer Veteran-specific services, 12-Step groups, nutritional counseling, recreational activities, exercise programs, faith-based groups, meditation, gender-specific programming, LGBTQ support, and more.
- Co-occurring treatments. Even if you’re not aware of a mental health condition, the program should screen for common mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Co-occurring disorder treatment programs take an integrated approach to treat the substance use issue and mental health condition simultaneously.
- Aftercare support. Recovery is an ongoing journey and doesn’t stop after you’ve graduated from the treatment program. Ask about aftercare services, like ongoing counseling, mutual-help groups, job placement assistance, and sober living homes.
- Explore rehab reviews.
Why Choose American Addiction Centers for Rehab as a Veteran?
If you or a loved one are a Veteran seeking substance use treatment in Florida, you are not alone. American Addiction Centers has River Oaks and Recovery First in Florida as well as other treatment centers throughout the United States, which provide evidence-based care and specialized treatment programs for Veterans. Call to connect with a knowledgeable and compassionate admissions navigator, who can listen to your needs, answer your questions, explain your options, verify your insurance, and help you begin the process to lasting recovery.
