Veterans, Disabilities, Addiction, and Treatment

July is Disability Pride Month. And although there are Veterans who have left the armed forces unscathed from serving their country, far too often there are many who are left to battle depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and even physical disabilities if they’ve been harmed on the battlefield. Many Veterans have turned to alcohol or drugs to deal with the emotional challenges, physical pains, and psychological issues from war and the transition back to civilian life.

At Desert Hope Treatment Center, an American Addiction Centers’ facility, we offer a specialized program just for Veterans and first responders. The unique experience faced by our former service men and women needs to be handled with care. And in honor of Disability Pride Month, we would like to acknowledge those Veterans who are not only battling with alcohol or drug addiction, but those who may also be facing challenges that come along with disabilities.

Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, Desert Hope offers a beacon of light in what may ironically feel like very dark waters. Not only does the facility offer treatment for both substance and alcohol addiction, but we treat co-occurring mental health disorders as well. Addressing and treating all issues simultaneously increases the likelihood of an individual achieving long-term sobriety.

A disability is defined as “the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity (SGA) by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairments, which can be expected to result in death, or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, according to the Social Security Administration. Many Veterans are facing this very challenge under a variety of circumstances unique to each individual.

And although Desert Hope doesn’t specialize in physical disabilities, such as amputees, the emotional trauma coupled with addiction to alcohol and/or other substances that may be the result of such a life experience is what we help with.

Topics discussed in the Veterans program specialized program for Veterans at Desert Hope include:

• Pain management.
• Military/first responder culture.
• Relapse prevention.
• Grief/loss.
• Impact of stress.
• Post-traumatic responses.
• Values/character.
• Recovery needs.
• The “hypervigilant rollercoaster.”
• Relationships/family.
• Cognitive distortions.

And the substances that we treat for include, but is not limited to:

• Opioids.
• Benzodiazepines.
• Alcohol.
• Fentanyl.
• Crystal meth.
• Ambien.
• Over-the-counter drugs.
• And many others.

Desert Hope Treatment Center may be the solution to a problem with addiction that you may be facing. What you have to remember is that you’re not facing this problem alone, even if it feels that way now. You have options. People want to help you. A different life does await you.

The professional medical staff at Desert Hope wants to work alongside you to help you to reach long-term sobriety and to stabilize a co-occurring disorder that you may have. It’s not easy to ask for help all of the time, but taking that first step towards this inquiry is a step that may not only open doors but may potentially save your life.