VETERANS: Swift River is proud to offer a specialized Veterans Treatment Program. Call 413-570-9698 or click to learn more about our VA treatment.

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Veterans and Substance Abuse

veteran sitting on the couch with head in his hands realizing that veterans and substance abuse go hand-in-hand

Men and women who are in the military serve our country with distinction and risk their lives for our continuing freedom. Veterans and substance abuse go hand-in-hand for some people who cannot handle the stress and trauma of wartime, with millions of veterans struggling with substance abuse each year. Despite the high number of addiction cases, only a small percentage of them will seek help from substance use treatment programs for veterans in Massachusetts.

At Swift River, we provide compassionate and effective support for veterans struggling with addiction caused by wartime. Our certified therapists and medical staff will evaluate your physical and mental health when you first arrive for treatment. They take the information they gather and form a tailored treatment program that addresses the root cause of the addiction and allows for a safe detoxing experience. If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, call 413.570.9698 today to speak with our compassionate staff about enrolling in our substance use treatment programs for veterans in Massachusetts.

Understanding the Relationship Between Veterans and Substance Abuse

Drug and alcohol abuse is considered serious misconduct. It can lead to a dishonorable discharge, which is why so many active military members do not seek help with their substance abuse. Taking the life of another human can be very devastating, even if they are in a life or death situation. Soldiers are often forced to internalize their feelings during deployment and are more likely to turn to drugs and alcohol for relief. Over time, this becomes their coping mechanism to deal with their feelings and will lead to a severe co-occurring disorder.

The most common types of mental health disorders that can lead to addiction in veterans include:

  • Depression
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
  • Generalized anxiety disorder

At Swift River, we support veterans who struggle with addiction caused by their active duty. We offer a full range of treatment programs to support recovery, from detoxing to aftercare and continuing support programs.

Treating Trauma and Addiction for Veterans

Co-occurring disorders happen when veterans turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with the traumatic experiences they face while serving in the military. If they don’t seek help during their service, Veteran Affairs offers financial support for substance abuse, mental health disorders, and co-occurring disorder treatment programs.

Some of what you can experience during trauma and addiction treatment for veterans and substance abuse include:

  • Personalized treatment from certified therapists with experience working with veterans and treating their mental health symptoms.
  • Group and individual therapy where veterans can talk about their feelings in a safe and judgment-free space.
  • Treating trauma and addiction simultaneously through a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder program.
  • A better understanding of how addiction consumes them physically and mentally.
  • Develop healthy coping skills to process their feelings instead of hiding from them.
  • A safe space to practice their new skills and improve their communication and relationship skills.

Swift River – Massachusetts Provides Safe and Effective Treatment for Veterans Struggling with Trauma and Addiction

At Swift River, we proudly support veterans whose military duty has left them with a serious condition of addiction and a co-occurring mental health disorder. We help men and women learn to cope with their depression or PTSD symptoms without turning to drugs or alcohol and help them develop healthy ways of seeing themselves and the world around them. Other programs that we offer that treat veterans and substance abuse include:

  • Dual diagnosis program
  • Group and individual therapy
  • Family therapy
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy
  • Dialectical behavior therapy
  • Other holistic therapies

To learn more about our substance use treatment programs for veterans in Massachusetts, call 413.570.9698 today to speak with our compassionate staff about enrolling in our addiction treatment facility.

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