Substance abuse is a mental health disorder that has the potential to affect an individual’s physical, mental, and emotional health. 

Just as keeping up an addiction can be costly, addiction treatment can be expensive as well. Some insurance plans will cover the cost of a stay at a rehabilitation center, while some individuals have to pay out of pocket. 

If you’re a veteran in Ohio, you’re in luck. There are several Ohio VA rehab programs that accept military insurance, such as Veterans Affairs benefits, and can help veterans recover from a substance use disorder. 

Below we’ll explore how a veteran in Ohio can go about finding funded treatment, and what the different treatment options are. 

 

Scope of Addiction Amongst Veterans 

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) published a report in 2019 that laid out the scope of addiction amongst veterans. They found that 1.3 million veterans had a substance use disorder in the past year. 

 

Out of these individuals:

  • 343,000 had issues with illicit drug use
  • one million had issues with alcohol use
  • 98,000 had issues with both alcohol and illicit drug use 

 

There are several reasons why veterans abuse substances. Some of these include:

  • emotional distress from traumatic events 
  • development of mental health disorders 
  • chronic pain from injury or strenuous duty 
  • difficulty transitioning from duty to normal life 

 

How Can a Veteran Receive Help from the VA?

When veterans turn to substances to cope, it may lead them down a rough path. This is why it’s important that veterans receive treatment for a substance use disorder. 

According to the SAMHSA, there are over 100 drug rehab and other services for veterans in Ohio. In addition, there are over 50 services for family members of veterans. 

Benefits through VA insurance cover the costs of mental health disorders, including substance use disorders. As long as the substance use is directly connected to their service, then costs will be covered. 

There is also TRICARE, which is another military insurance. Veterans are eligible to apply for this type of insurance, which will cover the costs of treatment services. 

 

What Sort of Treatment Options are Available for Veterans?

Veterans Affairs covers many options for substance use treatment for veterans. Some options are more intensive, while others are flexible. Important factors that may play into a treatment choice are:

 

  • the severity of substance use 
  • if there are co-occurring mental health disorders 
  • occupational, marital, and overall lifestyle situation

 

If you or a loved one are curious as to which kind of treatment will be the best fit, we’ll explore each option below. 

Detoxification Programs 

Detox programs are ideal for those withdrawing or about to begin withdrawing from substances. These centers are designed to provide the safest environment for patients to rid the body of toxins and begin the transition to longer-form treatment. Individuals usually stay three to seven days, or until uncomfortable physical withdrawal symptoms have subsided. 

 

Inpatient Programs 

Since substance use disorders are mental health disorders, it’s recommended that an all-encompassing long-form treatment plan is pursued. This is what inpatient programs provide. 

 

Patients will live on-site and be away from everyday life stressors that can trigger a relapse. They’ll have around-the-clock care and medical attention, and attend group and individual therapy sessions. This option is usually attended by those with severe addiction history. 

 

Outpatient Programs 

The least intensive form of addiction treatment is outpatient programs. Clients do not live on-site during outpatient treatment, but instead, visit the facility to attend anywhere from one to eight hours of counseling and therapy per day or week, then return home. 

 

Some patients will come in once or twice a week, while others visit four to five times weekly. Certain outpatient programs provide medical attention for those still experiencing withdrawal symptoms. 

 

These programs are best for veterans with a lower to mild substance use disorder, or those stepping down from residential treatment. 

 

Finding a Program 

By applying for VA health care, it’s possible to receive coverage for addiction treatment in the state of Ohio. Attending any of the above treatment programs can be the beginning of a drug-free life.