Specialized Treatment for Veterans

Specialized Treatment for Veterans

Providing mental health treatment for our nation’s veterans as a participating provider in the VA Community Care Network (CCN)

Specialized Treatment for Veterans

Providing mental health treatment for our nation’s veterans as a participating providerin the VA Community Care Network (CCN)

Silver Pines is proud to be PsychArmor Certified as a Veteran Ready Healthcare Organization and is committed to providing expert-led mental health and addiction services to military veterans and their families.

Substance use disorders (SUDs) remain a significant health concern among U.S. veterans, the lifetime prevalence of SUDs among veterans is estimated at 53%, reflecting the impact of factors such as pain, trauma, suicide risk, and homelessness (VA Health Services Research & Development). According to a recent report from the Veterans Administration:

  • 1 out of every 3 Veterans seeking treatment for an addiction also has PTSD.
  • The suicide rate has risen with Veterans, over 66% higher than non-Veteran adults.

Reaching out for help is a sign of strength and a courageous step in honoring your service and well-being. If you are a service member struggling to cope in daily life, you may feel disconnected from yourself and others. You are not alone. You deserve quality care from people who understand exactly what you’re facing because they’ve been there.

Silver Pines is proud to be PsychArmor Certified as a Veteran Ready Healthcare Organization and is committed to providing expert-led addiction and mental health services to military veterans and their families.

STR | Silver Pines is proud to be PsychArmor Certified as a Veteran Ready Healthcare Organization and is committed to providing expert-led mental health and addiction services to military veterans and their families.

What We Treat

Levels of Care

Detoxification

A safe and controlled environment where staff are medically equipped to manage and monitor withdrawal symptoms.

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Residential Treatment (RTC)

A structured environment, away from daily life distractions and triggers, focusing on recovery and healing.

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Our Treatment Approach for Veterans

Silver Pines offers comprehensive, evidence-based treatment for substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health conditions through our multi-disciplinary team of clinical and medical providers. Care is overseen by a board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Matthew Sommons, who completed his residency at the National Naval Medical Center and has extensive experience serving fellow veterans.

“We blend a deep understanding of military life with cutting-edge treatments to help veterans navigate their overall well-being. It’s not just about treating symptoms; it’s about recognizing each veteran’s unique experiences and fostering a path to healing that respects and builds on their service.” 


– Dr. Matthew Sommons

Silver Pines offers Veterans:

  • Evaluations and assessments provided by board-certified, veteran psychiatrist.
  • Weekly process groups focused on unique challenges faced by other fellow veterans, including coping with PTSD, reintegration into civilian life, and coping with military-specific traumas.
  • Work with a dedicated Veteran Recovery Specialist.

Our Four Prong Approach

Service

We help veterans process their service experiences in a healthy way, respecting the context in which these experiences occurred through therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) can be particularly effective in addressing issues like PTSD.

People

We acknowledge that each veteran’s path to recovery is unique and use therapies like motivational interviewing and family intervention to focus on the individual’s specific situation and involve their support system.

Values

The values instilled during military service, such as discipline and resilience, are crucial in therapy. Twelve Step Facilitation (TSF) and the Community Reinforcement Approach (CRA) can resonate with these values by promoting personal responsibility and community support, aligning treatment with the veteran’s core values.

Transition

The transition from military to civilian life is a significant phase for veterans. Therapies like motivational enhancement therapy (MET) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) support this transition by helping veterans develop new coping strategies and adjust their mindset to navigate civilian life successfully.

We Understand Veterans

  1. Understanding Military Culture and Language
    This includes familiarity with military rank structure, branch-specific terminology, and the significance of certain experiences like deployments, combat, or military training.
  2. Recognition of Service-Related Traumas
    Competency in identifying and treating conditions common in veterans, such as PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and moral injury. This also involves understanding how these conditions can manifest differently in veterans compared to civilians.
  3. Awareness of Military Transition Challenges
    Recognizing the difficulties that can accompany the transition from military to civilian life, such as reintegration into family life, finding employment, and adjusting to a less structured environment.
  4. Sensitivity to Hierarchy and Authority
    Understanding how military culture’s emphasis on hierarchy and respect for authority can impact a veteran’s interaction with healthcare providers and their willingness to seek and accept help.
  5. Knowledge of Military Resources and Benefits
    Being informed about resources available specifically for veterans, such as VA benefits and services, and how to help veterans navigate these systems.
  1. Awareness of Diversity Within the Military
    Recognizing that the military is a diverse institution with members from various ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, and everyone’s experience may be influenced by these factors.
  2. Understanding the Impact of Deployment on Families
    Recognizing the challenges faced by families of veterans, including long separations, the stress of deployment, and the adjustments required during reunification.
  3. Familiarity with Moral and Ethical Dilemmas Faced in Service
    Understanding the unique moral and ethical challenges veterans may have faced, which can lead to complex feelings of guilt or moral injury.
  4. Respect for the Veteran’s Strengths
    Acknowledging and building upon the strengths and skills that veterans acquire during their service, such as leadership, teamwork, and resilience.
  5. Sensitivity to Stigma
    Addressing the stigma often associated with mental health issues in the military and veteran communities and creating a safe, nonjudgmental space for veterans to seek and receive care.

LGBTQIA+ Veterans

We proudly support the diverse backgrounds and identities of our veterans, including those from the LGBTQIA+ community. It is our mission to ensure that every veteran who walks through our doors knows that they are entering a safe, supportive, and affirming space where their identity is respected, and their healthcare needs are met with the highest standard of care. We acknowledge the unique challenges and adversities faced by LGBTQIA+ veterans, including experiences of stigma and discrimination, which can significantly impact their mental health and well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Silver Pines is licensed to treat veterans with any primary substance use disorder diagnoses and co-occurring mental health diagnosis. Call us today at 844-265-7929 or complete our contact form and our admissions team can guide you through the process.

Contact our admissions team at 844-265-7929 and provide the contact information for each member of your VA team (therapist, social worker, and/or psychiatrist). We can connect with them to let them know that you’ve reached out for help. You may also ask your team at the VA to reach out to the admissions counselor you are working with to help facilitate the process.

Yes. We offer several different types of trauma-based therapies, which are provided by extensively trained master’s level clinicians with unique insight into military-specific traumas and related PTSD.

We communicate with the VA for authorizations, medications, and progress, but only with each client’s written consent. Each client chooses what information is shared.

Yes, transportation is provided within 6 hours of the facility.

To learn more about our treatment for alcohol addiction, substance use disorder, and dual diagnosis, contact our team today.
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