Fort Harrison VA Medical Center

3687 Veterans Drive Fort Harrison, MT 59636
DetoxInpatientOutpatient
Montana VA Health Care System - VAMC and Ambulatory Care Clinic MT 59636

About Fort Harrison VA Medical Center

Fort Harrison VA Medical Center is a veterans addiction treatment center located in Fort Harrison, Montana. They treat veteran men and women who are suffering from drug and alcohol misuse and want to recover with the guidance and supervision of medical professionals.

Unlike many of the other VA clinics, perhaps the biggest benefit here is that they offer multiple levels of care. Whether you’re looking for inpatient or outpatient treatment, you’ll find what you need here. Inpatient or residential treatment means you’ll be staying there for a certain amount of days or even weeks under the medical supervision of their staff. These are professionals who can monitor you and ensure that you stay safe while recovering.

If you need outpatient care then they have you covered there too. The benefit of outpatient treatment is that you’ll be able to return home after sessions, giving you time to maintain your work and home life, or any other outside obligations you may have.

If your addiction has reached a level of severity that concerns you then you can be treated with medication-assisted treatment or MAT for short. This process, which utilizes medications such as Suboxone and Vivitrol, can help by reducing the intensity of withdrawal symptoms and cravings, making it much easier to reach sobriety safely.

They also offer dual diagnosis care for individuals with co-occurring mental health disorders. This is fairly common, especially when dealing with the trauma that can come from time spent in the military. Mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD, can make it even more difficult to recover on your own. They also offer individual, group and marriage counseling.

Latest Reviews

Kyle Bender
1 week ago on Google
1
Want to echo everything the honest reviews already stated. A lot of staff are openly hostile, disrespectful, and uncaring. Doctors will lie to your face and create obstacles where there are none. There s good people working there but it s run terribly. Plus there s an open culture held by many and tolerated by the rest of open disdain for their veteran patients. If you feel you aren t being treated, you aren t. They re checking boxes and shoving you through because your pain doesn t matter to them. Many of them view you as an inconvenience. It s disgusting.
chawney lashley
3 weeks ago on Google
1
31 year old female patient c/o severe weight loss, pain and infections. Patient is 63 inches tall and weighs 94 pounds. Usually weight is around 130-120 lbs. Patient is told by her provider that she s in perfectly good health and that there is nothing that they need to do for her. Patient then gets a severe facial infection in the next 12 hours with severe painful swelling, and is then told by the same provider that there was no way they could have known that because the labs were clean, however Dr. failed to perform any sort of physical assessment or visual assessment, and declined to observe when the patient informed the doctor of all of the visible symptoms of the infection that the patient had noticed such as swelling, redness, and pain. The patient also requested assistance for domestic violence, and received none. The patient also asked for help with homelessness and received none. The patient had to go figure out how to take care of all that stuff all by her little ol self. The provider and her staff lack clinical skill, competency, bedside manner, and common sense. When I told the hospital I didn t like what they did they told me that if I didn t like it then file a torte claim. Not very professional or compassionate if you ask me.
Kelly Smail (Mean Kelly Dean)
1 month ago on Google
5
A valuable asset to our veterans
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Rehab Score

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Scoring is assigned by a proprietary system which helps surface key metrics that determine quality. The 10-point scale factors in categories such as operations, customer satisfaction, and trust metrics. Read Full MethodologyCaret icon
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8.5 / 10

Location

Other Forms of Payment

Private insurance refers to any kind of healthcare coverage that isn't from the state or federal government. This includes individual and family plans offered by an employer or purchased from the Insurance Marketplace. Every plan will have different requirements and out of pocket costs so be sure to get the full details before you start treatment.

Self-pay involves paying for treatment out of your own pocket. You can use savings or credit, get a personal loan, or receive help from family and friends to fund your treatment. If you don't have insurance or your insurance plan doesn't cover a specific program, self-pay can help ensure you still get the care you need.

Financial aid can take many forms. Centers may have grants or scholarships available to clients who meet eligibility requirements. Programs that receive SAMHSA grants may have financial aid available for those who need treatment as well. Grants and scholarships can help you pai for treatment without having to repay.

Medicare is a federal program that provides health insurance for those 65 and older. It also serves people under 65 with chronic and disabling health challenges. To use Medicare for addiction treatment you need to find a program that accepts Medicare and is in network with your plan. Out of pocket costs and preauthorization requirements vary, so always check with your provider.

Medicaid is a state based program that helps lower-income individuals and families pay for healthcare. Medicaid covers addiction treatment so those enrolled can use their coverage to pay for rehab. When a program accepts Medicaid the client often pays very little or nothing out of their own pocket.

free iconFree

Military members, veterans, and eligible dependents have access to specific insurance programs that help them get the care they need. TRICARE and VA insurance can help you access low cost or no cost addiction and mental health treatment. Programs that accept military insurance often have targeted treatment focused on the unique challenges military members, veterans, and their families face.

Addiction Treatments

Levels of Care

outpatient iconOutpatient
Outpatient Programs (OP) are for those seeking mental rehab or drug rehab, but who also stay at home every night. The main difference between outpatient treatment (OP) and intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) lies in the amount of hours the patient spends at the facility. Most of the time an outpatient program is designed for someone who has completed an inpatient stay and is looking to continue their growth in recovery. Outpatient is not meant to be the starting point, it is commonly referred to as aftercare.
inpatient iconInpatient
Montana Health Care facility operates a 24-bed residential mental health facility that provides residential PTSD and Substance Abuse programs. Residential treatment programs are those that offer housing and meals in addition to substance abuse treatment. Rehab facilities that offer residential treatment allow patients to focus solely on recovery, in an environment totally separate from their lives.
aftercare iconAftercare Support
Clients participating in a rehab aftercare program have typically already completed detox and/or intensive inpatient treatment and are reintegrating into their home, workplace, and community. Rehab aftercare services generally include outpatient counseling, recovery education, holistic care, and medication assisted treatment (MAT). Many clients also continue to receive recovery support after being discharged from outpatient treatment. Case managers and care teams help clients access the services they need at each phase of the recovery journey.
12-step icon12-Step
12-step programs are addiction recovery models based on Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). A number of substance abuse programs (including some drug and alcohol rehab centers) use the 12 steps as a basis for treatment. Beginning steps involve admitting powerlessness over the addiction and creating a spiritual basis for recovery. Middle steps including making direct amends to those who've been hurt by the addiction, and the final step is to assist others in addiction recovery in the same way. 12-Step offshoots including Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Cocaine Anonymous (CA), Dual Recovery Anonymous (DRA), Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA) and Gamblers Anonymous (GA).
medically-assisted-detox iconMedically Assisted Detox
Drug and alcohol addiction often takes a heavy toll on one's body. Over time, a physical dependence can develop, meaning the body physiologically needs the substance to function. Detox is the process of removing drugs and/or alcohol from the body, a process that can be lethal if mismanaged. Medical detox is done by licensed medical professionals who monitor vital signs and keep you safe, healthy, and as comfortable as possible as you go through detox and withdrawal.

Treatments

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.

A comprehensive drug rehab in Montana treats the entire person. Treatment methods address all the underlying causes of addiction and give the individual the tools they need to live a healthy, drug-free life.

Many of those suffering from addiction also suffer from mental or emotional illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety disorders. Rehab and other substance abuse facilities treating those with a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder administer psychiatric treatment to address the person's mental health issue in addition to drug and alcohol rehabilitation.

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 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.

Programs

adult-program thumbnail image
Adult Program
Adult rehab programs include therapies tailored to each client's specific needs, goals, and recovery progress. They are tailored to the specific challenges adult clients may face, including family and work pressures and commitments. From inpatient and residential treatment to various levels of outpatient services, there are many options available. Some facilities also help adults work through co-occurring conditions, like anxiety, that can accompany addiction.
young-adult-program thumbnail image
Young Adult Program
Young adulthood can be an exciting, yet difficult, time of transition. Individuals in their late teens to mid-20s face unique stressors related to school, jobs, families, and social circles, which can lead to a rise in substance use. Rehab centers with dedicated young adult programs will include activities and amenities that cater to this age group, with an emphasis on specialized counseling, peer socialization, and ongoing aftercare.
lgbtq-program thumbnail image
LGBTQ Program
The VA Montana Health Care System is proud to be recognized as a 2016 Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality. They are committed to providing excellent care to all Veterans including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Veterans. They are focused on ensuring all Veterans receive equitable and inclusive healthcare.
military-program thumbnail image
Military Program
Serving in the military is both mentally and physically challenging, and can result in trauma that persists even after combat ends. Military programs are tailored to the specific and often complex needs of active duty personnel, veterans, and military families. Clients often access these programs through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Clinical Services

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.

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.

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.

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.

Trauma therapy addresses traumatic incidents from a client's past that are likely affecting their present-day experience. Trauma is often one of the primary triggers and potential causes of addiction, and can stem from child sexual abuse, domestic violence, having a parent with a mental illness, losing one or both parents at a young age, teenage or adult sexual assault, or any number of other factors. The purpose of trauma therapy is to allow a patient to process trauma and move through and past it, with the help of trained and compassionate mental health professionals.

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.

EMDR is a therapeutic modality originally developed to help process trauma. In an EMDR session, a patient is prompted to undergo eye movements that mimic those of REM sleep. This is accomplished by watching a therapist's finger move back and forth across, or following a bar of light. The goal is repetitive sets of eye movements that help the brain reprocess memory, which can significantly reduce the intensity of remembered traumatic incidents. Associated memories can heal simultaneously, leaving patients significantly calmer, more stable, and more emotionally relaxed.

Sometimes, as part of a Veteran’s treatment, some members of the Veteran’s immediate family or the Veteran’s legal guardian may be included and receive services, such as family therapy, marriage counseling, grief counseling, etc. Family members might learn how to recognize symptoms and support recovery. In some treatment settings, a brief course of couples counseling or family therapy may be offered.

Life skills trainings involve all the skills a person must have in order to function successfully in the world. These include time management, career guidance, money management, and effective communication. Truly successful addiction recovery is based on the ability to not only live substance-free, but to thrive. Life skills teaches the practical necessities of functioning in society, which sets clients up for success in life, and therefore sobriety.

Typically, addiction leads to poor dietary choices, which leads to nutrient deficiencies. You don't get the vitamins and minerals you need for daily functioning, which can make recovery even harder. Nutrition therapy addresses these issues and gives you the dietary support you need to get on the right track for recovery.

Recreational therapy (aka therapeutic recreation) uses creative and fun activities to help with addiction recovery. Recreational therapists lead patients in entertaining and engaging activities like sports or games; art (drawing, painting, sculpture); drama, music, and dance; and/or community outings (field trips) to improve patients' physical, social, and emotional well-being.

Experiential therapy is a form of therapy in which clients are encouraged to surface and work through subconscious issues by engaging in real-time experiences. Experiential therapy departs from traditional talk therapy by involving the body, and having clients engage in activities, movements, and physical and emotional expression. This can involve role-play or using props (which can include other people). Experiential therapy can help people process trauma, memories, and emotion quickly, deeply, and in a lasting fashion, leading to substantial and impactful healing.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is a way of getting nicotine into the bloodstream without smoking. It uses products that supply low doses of nicotine to help people stop smoking. The goal of therapy is to cut down on cravings for nicotine and ease the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.

Amenities

  • private iconPrivate Setting
  • car iconPrivate Transportation

Accreditations

The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) is a non-profit organization that specifically accredits rehab organizations. Founded in 1966, CARF's, mission is to help service providers like rehab facilities maintain high standards of care.

CARF Accreditation: Yes
Accreditation Number: 252078

The Joint Commission, formerly known as JCAHO, is a nonprofit organization that accredits rehab organizations and programs. Founded in 1951, the Joint Commision's mission is to improve the quality of patient care and demonstrating the quality of patient care.

Joint Commission Accreditation: Yes
Accreditation Number: 9294

Contact Information

Phone icon (406) 442-6410
Building icon

3687 Veterans Drive
Fort Harrison, MT 59636

Fact checked and written by:
Benjamin Cardenas
Edited by:
Courtney Myers, MS

Reviews of Fort Harrison VA Medical Center

3.42/5 (86 reviews)
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Reviews

5

So many great services and wonderful people that will do everything possible to help you.

Reviewed on 3/15/2019
Overall Experience
Date Submitted
Reviewer

Google Reviews

3.4 (85 reviews)
Kyle Bender
1 week ago
1

Want to echo everything the honest reviews already stated. A lot of staff are openly hostile, disrespectful, and uncaring. Doctors will lie to your face and create obstacles where there are none. There s good people working there but it s run terribly. Plus there s an open culture held by many and tolerated by the rest of open disdain for their veteran patients. If you feel you aren t being treated, you aren t. They re checking boxes and shoving you through because your pain doesn t matter to them. Many of them view you as an inconvenience. It s disgusting.

chawney lashley
3 weeks ago
1

31 year old female patient c/o severe weight loss, pain and infections. Patient is 63 inches tall and weighs 94 pounds. Usually weight is around 130-120 lbs. Patient is told by her provider that she s in perfectly good health and that there is nothing that they need to do for her. Patient then gets a severe facial infection in the next 12 hours with severe painful swelling, and is then told by the same provider that there was no way they could have known that because the labs were clean, however Dr. failed to perform any sort of physical assessment or visual assessment, and declined to observe when the patient informed the doctor of all of the visible symptoms of the infection that the patient had noticed such as swelling, redness, and pain. The patient also requested assistance for domestic violence, and received none. The patient also asked for help with homelessness and received none. The patient had to go figure out how to take care of all that stuff all by her little ol self. The provider and her staff lack clinical skill, competency, bedside manner, and common sense. When I told the hospital I didn t like what they did they told me that if I didn t like it then file a torte claim. Not very professional or compassionate if you ask me.

Kelly Smail (Mean Kelly Dean)
1 month ago
5

A valuable asset to our veterans

Wendy Nelson
2 months ago
3

unfortunately,my father has been in the hospital at the VA for a couple of weeks now and is not really getting any better. The nurses do their best to take good care of him, but there are a lot of people out there in the hospital that are sick. Everyone there does their best take care of their patients, and I appreciate all the work they do.

C- Burn
2 months ago
4

Sean Price
3 months ago
1

Can't do much but complain on Google maps. The VA here is terrible.

Andrew Schultz
3 months ago
5

I've had nothing but a good experience here. Thanks for honoring veterans and taking care of us. The care I received from the ER Staff and Doctor White was exceptional.

Andrew
3 months ago
5

I've had nothing but a good experience here. Thanks for honoring veterans and taking care of us. The care I received from the ER Staff and Doctor White was exceptional.

Don Mullin
4 months ago
5

Treats Vets with respect and quality medical care.

Andrew C
4 months ago
1

This is from May 2022......I just moved from Boise to our Montana cabin and due to the transition my meds were delayed delivery and only had one day remaining. I was instructed to go to the Helena VA Medical Center to obtain a one week supply (low dosage Gamapentin). Had to go through the ER as instructed. Waited for a time which I understand I was low priority.I then met with a physician who interrogated me to why I needed this one week supply and why do I need these meds for! I said check my VA records but have been taking for 10 years for nerve damage. He was very hesitant to write the prescription and made me feel as if I was a drug addict begging for a fix. Oh he claimed he didn't have my records available....huh?Anyway, the hospital looks like a VA clinic from the 70's and not inviting. Very depressing looking place and I will never return. I will drive to Boise for my medical care.

laura baus
4 months ago
5

Joe Fowler
4 months ago
5

Love this place

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