Does the VA Offer Rehab for PTSD?
Getting PTSD Treatment Support from the Veterans Administration
Becoming a United States Armed Forces member is an honorable career move – perhaps one of the bravest that someone entering the workforce can undertake. Unfortunately, this decision also carries certain inherent risks and challenges that may stick with any military member during their life. Combated-related PTSD has a lifetime prevalence of around 31% in current and former active-duty soldiers in the United States.
The good news is with the right course of PTSD treatment, recovery is possible, as many service members have experienced an almost 100% return to a clean bill of mental health. There’s no reason to suffer from the impact of combat trauma, the mental health impact of a traumatic brain injury, or even military sexual trauma.
If you or someone you love is demonstrating symptoms of PTSD or any other mental health disorder, you’ve probably had questions about whether the VA provides PTSD treatment.
This article covers the specifics of mental health care for current and former service members, particularly regarding PTSD treatment, and how Icarus Behavioral Health plays a role in providing these imperative health services.
The Local VA & PTSD Treatment: What Are Your Options?
As with most VA hospitals, your local New Mexico facilities have certain PTSD treatment options available. If you’re a current or former member of the United States Armed Forces, the mental health care options available at the VA are always an option you can leverage in times of need.
Treating PTSD can be challenging for many of those who suffer from this challenging disorder. In the general population, 6 out of every 100 individuals have mental health challenges related to PTSD. Unfortunately, many are unaware of the presence of the disorder or feel indifferent about seeking treatment.
Being a member of the military, you’re a part of a demographic that is at high risk of developing PTSD and similar mental health disorders. The first step is understanding the signs and symptoms to communicate your needs to obtain the right professional health services.
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Understanding the Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Dealing with PTSD and other related conditions can be debilitating. In some individuals, the symptoms are constantly prevalent. In others, they may not surface unless the individual is exposed to certain triggers.
According the National Center for PTSD, the severity of the side effects of PTSD varies from person to person, but it helps to have a general idea of what these symptoms look like.
When you suffer from PTSD, you’ll generally notice one or more of the following:
- Flashbacks (vivid memories) of combat or other traumatic experiences when exposed to triggers.
- Triggers may include loud noises like fireworks, loud engines, gunshots, cars backfiring, and other unexpected auditory events.
- Difficulties functioning in public or during times of high traffic while in a vehicle.
- Trouble sleeping at night, especially accompanied by vivid nightmares of your traumatic experience.
- Unexpected tremors or intense shaking.
- Sensitivity or flashbacks when exposed to items that remind you of your traumatic experience (clothes, smells, sights, etc.)
Suffering from PTSD can also bring about accompanying mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, clinical services are available at your local VA hospital.
What Type of PTSD Program Is Available at the Local VA Hospital?
At your local Veterans Affairs Hospital, there are several treatment programs available. The Wounded Warrior Project hosts remote meeting options along with providing other resources for veterans in need.
At your local VA health center, you’ll find the following available for current service members and veterans alike:
Make the Connection Program
The Make the Connection program is assembled for veterans and their family members to connect with other veterans suffering from PTSD and similar disorders. With Make the Connection, veterans can engage anonymously with their peers to share stories and additional resources they might find helpful.
PTSD Day Hospitals
If you’re a service member who is suffering from extreme PTSD symptoms and needs immediate care, the PTSD day hospital program provides treatment during typical business hours (8:00 am to 4:00 pm). This is similar to partial hospitalization programs available at Icarus Behavioral Health.
Outpatient PTSD Services
Outpatient treatment programs are available to veterans suffering from PTSD who need less intense therapy. You meet with a mental health professional for counseling sessions during previously scheduled appointments.
While all of these treatment programs provided by VA health centers offer a certain degree of relief for veterans, many times something more focused and intensive is required for efficient recovery. If you’re in Albuquerque or other areas of New Mexico and need intensive treatment aside from what’s available at VA health centers, Icarus Behavioral Health is available as a high-quality alternative.
When You Need a Top-Tier Treatment Program
Although veterans have a resource for mental health treatment at the VA medical center, there are oftentimes when a more intensive option is available with top-level professionals in the mental health industry.
Icarus Behavioral Health in New Mexico has provided expert healthcare services as an alternative to the VA hospital. We work closely with our clients and their family members to ensure that our veterans get the education and behavioral programs required to lead them on the road to recovery.
What Sets Icarus Behavioral Health Apart from VA Programs?
There are several reasons why Icarus Behavioral Health provides advantages over VA hospitals in New Mexico when you need resources for PTSD recovery.
Consider the following benefits available when you choose Icarus Behavioral Health in New Mexico.
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Dual-Diagnosis Treatment Program
Many times PTSD is accompanied by a substance abuse disorder. When this happens, a dual-diagnosis treatment program is one of the most viable options for recovery. Icarus Behavioral Health provides comprehensive treatment thanks to our expert staff, helping you get to the root of both disorders simultaneously.
Holistic Treatment Services
One of the highlights of our program is our holistic treatment services. Healing isn’t only about the mind and body — the spirit also needs attention. Not only do we provide education to help you conquer spiritual and behavioral issues, but our hands-on holistic programs combine all three elements to help round out a thorough treatment regimen. Our holistic treatment includes:
- Music therapy services
- Psychodrama
- Art therapy services
- Yoga instructional services
- And more
Multiple Forms of Evidence-Based Treatment
The individualized recovery plans crafted at Icarus Behavioral Health consist of a plethora of different therapeutic modalities. Depending on your assessment, recommendations may include cognitive processing therapy, trauma-informed therapy, and other impactful treatment programs.
Group Therapy Services
Our group therapy services give you an opportunity to engage with other veterans in person, forming bonds that often last a lifetime. When you suffer from PTSD, sometimes it takes the camaraderie and connection with other veterans who understand what you’re going through to give you that additional push towards recovery.
Group therapy includes peer-to-peer, in addition to family family-involved programs.
Aftercare Resources
The aftercare resources available through our program are an important part of the PTSD recovery process. Veterans who recover from PTSD in one of our inpatient or outpatient settings often achieve higher levels of success by engaging in aftercare activities.
This can include subsequent visits with primary mental health specialists, or even PTSD recovery-focused meetings with your peers. We ensure you leave with all the tools required to continue being proactive in your recovery.
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Icarus Behavioral Health: Treatment Veterans Can Depend On
Although the VA hospital has many talented physicians and specialists on their staff, appointments can be backlogged for months. When you suffer from something as crippling as PTSD or substance abuse disorder, you shouldn’t have to wait for help.
Icarus Behavioral Health is proud to accept TRICARE, TRICARE for Life and TriWest, alongside many veteran-eligible private insurance plans, so getting you approved and into our facility is simple. We offer discrete service at every care level and can work around your scheduling challenges or work obligations.
For more information, contact a member of our admissions team today for a confidential consultation and to get immediate support options.
