800-784-1361
About George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center
VA Salt Lake City Health Care System - George E. Wahlen VAMC is a public rehab located in Salt Lake City, UT. VA Salt Lake City Health Care System - George E. Wahlen VAMC specializes in the treatment of Mental Health Care and Chemical Dependency.
VA Salt Lake City Health Care System exists “to serve the veteran who served us” through the delivery of timely quality care by staff who demonstrate outstanding customer service. They hope to serve and honor the nation’s veterans following President Lincoln’s promise “To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan”.
Some of the services offered by VA Salt Lake City Health Care System – George E. Wahlen VAMC include Behavioral Health Care, Chemical Dependency, Primary Care, Community Integration, Inpatient Unit, Occupational Therapy, Outpatient Clinics, Pharmacy/Dispensary, General Services, Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Unit, Vocational Rehabilitation, and Personal Care.
They also provide Veterans with Telehealth, for access to health care that is timely, more convenient and easier to access through the use of new health care technology including video conferencing and health monitoring devices that can connect patients to their health care team.
Payment Options
Private Insurance 
Self-pay options 
Financial aid 
Medicare 
Military insurance 
Medicaid
Levels of Care
Outpatient
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
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. Some rehab centers specialize in short-term residential treatment (a few days to a week or two), while others solely provide treatment on a long-term basis (several weeks to months). Some offer both, and tailor treatment to the patient's individual requirements.
Intensive Outpatient
Clients often choose to enter intensive outpatient programs (IOP) when they exit inpatient rehab. Others turn to IOP as an alternative to hospitalization. Intensive outpatient rehabs offer high-level care for clients in early recovery and those at an elevated risk of relapse, typically requiring them to commit to between nine and 20 hours of treatment per week. The most prevalent treatment modalities include psychotherapy, recovery education, medication assisted treatment (MAT), and holistic therapies, such as meditation.
Aftercare
Clients receiving services in a rehab aftercare program have generally been stable and sober for a period of weeks and months and no longer require high intensity treatment. Many have stepped down from inpatient rehab to outpatient treatment. Others have been discharged from formal treatment but need support in maintaining their sobriety. Clients typically work with their case manager and care team to develop a long-term care plan that aligns with their unique needs and goals.
12-Step
Participants in 12 step programs engage in rigorous group counseling, peer coaching, and personal development. Though 12 step recovery is rooted in spiritual principles, religious affiliation is not mandatory. The steps model promotes participants' emotional and psychological healing, which is presumed integral to sustained sobriety. Regular attendance at group meetings is expected. These meetings are free, anonymous, peer-led, and accessible day and night in most communities. Gender and age-specific programs and other specialized formats are common.
Sober Living Homes
Each sober living home in Utah is a residence, not a treatment center. This setting does not provide clinical or medical treatment, but many residents attend recovery groups or outpatient rehab while staying at the home. The setting, also called a halfway house, offers a balance between structure and accountability and living in the "real world," to help people transition from treatment to everyday life.
24-Hour Clinical Care
In order to ensure your safety during the withdrawal process, rehabs offer 24-hour clinical care in Utah. You have access to experienced medical staff around the clock, and they can adminsiter treatments or perform clincial interventions that lessen withdrawal symptoms and make you more comfortable. Teatments can include medications, nutritional supplements, and mental health counseling.
Medically Assisted Detox
Medical detox is the safest way to remove addictive substances from your body under the care of medical professionals. In an inpatient environment, you'll be monitored 24/7 by doctors, nurses, and clinical experts, who will help keep you as safe and comfortable as possible and administer medication if needed to treat any withdrawal symptoms. The process may take up to a week or longer depending on your needs, and is often at least partially covered by insurance.
Programs
Adult program
Program for men
Program for women
Young adult program
Elderly program
LGBTQ program
Military program
Settings & Amenities
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Private transportation -
Recreation room -
Gym -
Art activities -
Yoga studio -
Acupuncture room -
Residential setting -
Private rooms
Treatment
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
When you enter a drug rehab in Utah, the process usually involves four stages: treatment initiation, early abstinence, maintaining abstinence, and advanced recovery. Treatment methods can rely on medications, counseling, or both, in either an outpatient or inpatient setting.
Dual Diagnosis
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.
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.
Clinical Services
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.
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.
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.
Motivational Interviewing
The foundation of motivational interviewing in Utah rests on four pillars: partnership, evocation, acceptance, and compassion. The therapist collaborates with the client, encouraging them to explore their options and make informed decisions about making changes in their lives.
Trauma Therapy
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.
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.
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.
Life Skills
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.
Experiential Therapy
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
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.
Accreditations
CARF
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: 30249
Joint Commission
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: 9545
Contact
(801) 582-1565 
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