Hamilton VA Healthcare Associates – Butler County Ohio

Alcoholism

The goal of treatment for alcoholism is abstinence. Those with poor social support, poor motivation, or psychiatric disorders tend to relapse within a few years of treatment. For these people, success is measured by longer periods of abstinence, reduced use of alcohol, better health, and improved social functioning. Recovery and Maintenance are usually based on 12 step programs and AA meetings.

Drug Addiction

Drug rehab in Ohio provides comprehensive treatment to address the physical and psychological needs of those struggling with substance use disorders. This may involve inpatient and/or outpatient care.

Dual Diagnosis

The Intensive Dual Diagnosis Treatment program provides outpatient services to Veterans who suffer from co-occurring substance use and serious psychiatric disorders. Group and individual therapy are provided, including insight-oriented therapy, supportive therapy, skill-building, and trauma work. Particular focus is on a multidisciplinary team approach to treatment.

Mental Health and Substance Abuse

A combined mental health and substance abuse rehab has the staff and resources available to handle individuals with both mental health and substance abuse issues. It can be challenging to determine where a specific symptom stems from (a mental health issue or an issue related to substance abuse), so mental health and substance abuse professionals are helpful in detangling symptoms and keeping treatment on track.

Opioid Addiction

Opioid rehabs specialize in supporting those recovering from opioid addiction. They treat those suffering from addiction to illegal opioids like heroin, as well as prescription drugs like oxycodone. These centers typically combine both physical as well as mental and emotional support to help stop addiction. Physical support often includes medical detox and subsequent medical support (including medication), and mental support includes in-depth therapy to address the underlying causes of addiction.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a therapy modality that focuses on the relationship between one's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It is used to establish and allow for healthy responses to thoughts and feelings (instead of unhealthy responses, like using drugs or alcohol). CBT has been proven effective for recovering addicts of all kinds, and is used to strengthen a patient's own self-awareness and ability to self-regulate. CBT allows individuals to monitor their own emotional state, become more adept at communicating with others, and manage stress without needing to engage in substance abuse.

Couples Therapy

Whether a marriage or other committed relationship, an intimate partnership is one of the most important aspects of a person's life. Drug and alcohol addiction affects both members of a couple in deep and meaningful ways, as does rehab and recovery. Couples therapy and other couples-focused treatment programs are significant parts of exploring triggers of addiction, as well as learning how to build healthy patterns to support ongoing sobriety.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a modified form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a treatment designed to help people understand and ultimately affect the relationship between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. DBT is often used for individuals who struggle with self-harm behaviors, such as self-mutilation (cutting) and suicidal thoughts, urges, or attempts. It has been proven clinically effective for those who struggle with out-of-control emotions and mental health illnesses like Borderline Personality Disorder.

Eating disorders include anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and dysfunctional eating patterns. Many psychologists and other mental health professionals consider eating disorders to be food addictions, meaning food is being used in an addictive way (similar to drug or alcohol addiction). Certain substance abuse treatment programs will have treatment for eating disorders as one of the services offered. An eating disorder may also present as a co-occuring disorder or dual diagnosis alongside drug and alcohol addiction.

Experiential Therapy

The Treatment Recovery and Activity Center (TRAC) program focuses on Veterans’ Strengths Needs Abilities and Preferences and is considered the last link between the hospital and the community. The program can help Veterans cope with mental illness, deal with activities of daily living, adjust to life’s challenges, develop the skills to live life to the fullest, and avoid hospitalization.

Family Therapy

Research clearly demonstrates that recovery is far more successful and sustainable when loved ones like family members participate in rehab and substance abuse treatment. Genetic factors may be at play when it comes to drug and alcohol addiction, as well as mental health issues. Family dynamics often play a critical role in addiction triggers, and if properly educated, family members can be a strong source of support when it comes to rehabilitation.

Group Therapy

Group therapy is any therapeutic work that happens in a group (not one-on-one). There are a number of different group therapy modalities, including support groups, experiential therapy, psycho-education, and more. Group therapy involves treatment as well as processing interaction between group members.

Individual Therapy

In individual therapy, a patient meets one-on-one with a trained psychologist or counselor. Therapy is a pivotal part of effective substance abuse treatment, as it often covers root causes of addiction, including challenges faced by the patient in their social, family, and work/school life.

Life Skills

The Cincinnati VA Medical Center’s Community Employment Services provides information, pre-employment assessment and workforce re-entry planning services, linkage, and coordination for VA and non-VA services, and community based follow-up services to integrate Veterans into the community through competitive employment. The Compensated Work Therapy program (CWT) provides vocational opportunities for Veterans seeking employment.

Motivational Interviewing

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a clinical approach to helping people with substance abuse issues and other conditions shift behavior in positive ways. It is more goal-oriented than traditional psychotherapy, as MI counselors directly attempt to get clients to consider making behavioral change (rather than wait for them to come to conclusions themselves). Its primary purpose is to resolve ambivalence and help clients become able to make healthy choices freely.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy

All Veterans referred to the tobacco treatment center receive a comprehensive individualized assessment, which includes a clinical interview, CO monitoring, and a blood pressure screening. Tobacco treatment intervention options include medications, classes, and individual counseling. Tobacco treatment classes occur at different times during the day and evening at the main hospital and CBOCs.

Nutrition Therapy

Nutrition and Food Services (NFS) provides counseling services for outpatient veterans for the Cincinnati and Fort Thomas Divisions and the Community Based Outpatient Clinics. NFS also provides healthy meals for Veterans admitted to the Medical Center. Nutrition Counseling for all medical conditions: Move weight control programs, Diabetes, Hypertension, Heart Disease and etc.

Trauma Therapy

Each program provides assessment and brief treatment of PTSD. The trauma is addressed using Cognitive Processing Therapy in individual and group sessions. Additional therapy groups include Anger Management, Relaxation Skill Training, Assertiveness Training, Distress Tolerance, Communication Training, Sleep Management, and Health Issues.