Birmingham VA Medical Center
Overview
Birmingham VA Medical Center is a substance abuse treatment center for people seeking treatment near Jefferson County. As part of their treatment modalities for recovery, Birmingham VA Medical Center provides 12-step facilitation, family counseling, and individual psychotherapy during treatment. Birmingham VA Medical Center is located in Birmingham, Alabama, accepting private health insurance for treatment.
Birmingham VA Medical Center at a Glance
Payment Options
- Private health insurance
- Cash or self-payment
- U.S. Department of VA funds
- Federal military insurance (e.g., TRICARE)
- State-financed health insurance plan other than Medicaid
Assessments
- Comprehensive mental health assessment
- Comprehensive substance use assessment
Age Groups
- Adults
- Young adults
Operation
- State government
Accreditations
The Joint Commission:
The Joint Commission accreditation for addiction and behavioral health is a prestigious recognition signifying a facility's commitment to delivering high-quality care and safety for individuals dealing with substance abuse and mental health issues. It involves rigorous evaluations and assessments, ensuring patients receive evidence-based treatment and exceptional care. This accreditation demonstrates a facility's dedication to continuous improvement and ethical practices, building trust among patients and healthcare professionals seeking top-tier addiction and behavioral health services.
Registration: 7945
Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF):
CARF accreditation is a prestigious recognition granted to rehabilitation and human service organizations. It signifies that an organization meets high-quality standards, having undergone a rigorous evaluation process. CARF accreditation boosts an organization's credibility and ensures top-notch care for individuals with disabilities, injuries, or healthcare needs.
Registration: 290867
SAMHSA certification for opioid treatment program (OTP):
SAMHSA's Opioid Treatment Programs (OTP) Accreditation is a rigorous recognition process, signaling an OTP's commitment to high-quality care for those with opioid use disorders. It assures patients, families, and the community that the program adheres to evidence-based practices, maintains a safe environment, and employs qualified staff. This accreditation represents a commitment to addressing the opioid epidemic and promoting recovery, symbolizing quality and accountability in opioid addiction treatment.
Treatment At Birmingham VA Medical Center
Conditions Treated
Mental health treatment:
Mental health services are essential during treatment for drug and alcohol addiction, whether you receive treatment in an inpatient or outpatient setting. While receiving inpatient care, you can expect to have round-the-clock access to mental health therapists and medical staff. Additionally, you will likely receive a number of different therapies and mental health options like individual and group counseling, addiction and relapse prevention education, and coping skills training.
Alcoholism:
Alcohol addiction is a condition where a person's brain gets used to having alcohol, making it hard for them to control their drinking. This can lead to feeling down, acting without thinking, wanting alcohol strongly, and feeling sick if they don't drink. To help with this, treatment programs are available. These usually include a guided process to safely stop drinking, talking with professionals to work through problems, and joining support groups with others facing similar issues. While these treatments can't fully cure the addiction, they provide tools and support to help individuals live a better life and keep their drinking under control.
Opioid Addiction:
Opioid rehabilitation centers are dedicated to assisting individuals on the path to recovery from opioid addiction. They provide specialized care for those struggling with addiction to substances like heroin and prescription opioids such as oxycodone. These facilities offer a comprehensive approach, including medical detoxification, ongoing medical assistance (including medication-based treatment), and therapeutic support to address the root causes of addiction.
Substance use treatment:
Substance abuse treatment programs can help to address addiction and, if relevant, any co-occurring mental health conditions. Programs include outpatient, inpatient, dual-diagnosis, and partial hospitalization. The addict will receive therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy, or dialectical behavioral therapy, and sometimes complementary therapies like acupuncture and mindfulness-based therapy. By attending skills training and recovery groups you’ll build a strong foundation for your recovery and strengthen your support network, increasing your chances of long-term recovery success.
Co-occurring Disorders:
Dual-diagnosis rehabilitation centers specialize in the treatment of individuals who suffer from a co-occurring mental health disorder and a substance use disorder. This complex interplay between addiction and mental health can make recovery more challenging, as each condition may exacerbate the symptoms of the other. Dual-diagnosis rehabilitation centers offer an integrated approach that addresses both issues simultaneously and often includes a comprehensive assessment for an Integrated Treatment Approach through Holistic Therapies, including family therapy and aftercare treatment.
Levels Of Care
Partial Hospitalization Program:
A Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) is an intensive rehabilitation option, typically designed for individuals with acute symptoms that are challenging to handle but don't necessitate round-the-clock care. PHPs provide structured therapeutic activities, which can include individual and group sessions, and generally operate 3-5 days a week, from approximately 9 am to 3 pm. While some PHPs are residential, allowing patients to stay overnight, others are non-residential, enabling patients to return home each evening. The duration of a PHP can range from 1 to 6 months, and some programs also offer transportation and meals to participants.
Intensive outpatient treatment:
Intensive outpatient (IOP) supports clients in maintaining their sobriety by providing tailored, high-quality care that adapts to their changing requirements. Clients participate in numerous weekly treatment sessions, generally receiving between nine to twenty hours of outpatient care. As clients achieve stability, the treatment frequency and intensity gradually diminish. Many intensive outpatient rehabilitation centers offer a range of services, including addiction counseling, training in life skills essential for recovery, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Additionally, evidence-based complementary therapies are frequently integrated into the program.
Detoxification:
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. The length of stay at the detoxification program is determined according to the specific needs of the patient.
Aftercare:
Aftercare treatment refers to the continued support and care that individuals receive following the completion of their primary treatment program for substance abuse or addiction. This phase aims to aid individuals in maintaining their sobriety, improving personal skills and coping strategies, and integrating back into society. Aftercare can include ongoing therapy, support group meetings, education, and monitoring, which are crucial for preventing relapse and promoting long-term recovery. Through a combination of community support, accountability, and personal development, aftercare provides a structured pathway for individuals to continue their recovery journey in a supportive environment.
Halfway house:
A sober living residence provides a nurturing atmosphere where individuals in recovery offer each other mutual support while sharing household duties. Residents actively engage in 12-step programs and hold one another accountable for maintaining sobriety. To continue residing in either a men's or women's sober living environment, individuals must stay free from drugs and alcohol, actively contribute to household responsibilities, attend support group meetings, and contribute to the living expenses of the home.
Outpatient:
Outpatient treatment at rehab centers provides adaptable therapy schedules, usually spanning 1-3 hours weekly, enabling participants to maintain their everyday routines while undergoing treatment. On the other hand, intensive outpatient programs require a more dedicated time investment, frequently around 9-15 hours a week, delivering a deeper therapeutic experience without the commitment of inpatient residency.
Treatment Modalities
12-step facilitation:
Recovery frameworks grounded in 12-step programs prioritize peer mentoring and underline personal development as essential for maintaining sobriety. Those in recovery are encouraged to attend 12-step meetings, which guarantee anonymity frequently, have no cost, and are accessible every day. These 12 steps draw from spiritual tenets, assisting participants in confronting the underlying reasons for their addiction, acknowledging their decisions, and embracing the aspects outside their control. Chosen by the participants themselves, sponsors offer individualized guidance and support.
Family counseling:
Studies consistently show that the likelihood of sustainable recovery increases when family members are involved in rehab and substance abuse treatment. Genetic elements might influence susceptibility to drug and alcohol dependence and mental health challenges. Family interactions frequently contribute to addiction triggers. However, with the right education, family members can become pivotal support pillars during rehabilitation.
Individual psychotherapy:
Individual Psychotherapy is a personalized therapeutic approach aimed at aiding individuals in overcoming addiction and its underlying psychological triggers. A licensed therapist works closely with the individual through one-on-one sessions to unearth and address personal challenges, emotional issues, and behavioral patterns contributing to their substance abuse. Individual psychotherapy lays a robust foundation for a sustainable recovery and a better quality of life by fostering self-awareness, coping strategies, and healthier behavioral responses.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a evidence-based psychotherapeutic approach that aims to address dysfunctional emotions, behaviors, and cognitions through a goal-oriented, systematic process. It involves identifying and challenging negative thought patterns and beliefs and replacing them with more constructive ways of thinking and behaving. CBT is commonly used to treat a variety of mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and phobias.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy:
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for addiction treatment is a comprehensive cognitive-behavioral approach initially developed to treat individuals with borderline personality disorder. Adapted for addiction, DBT emphasizes the development of four core skills: mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. Through individual and group sessions, patients learn to understand their triggers, manage negative emotions, cope with cravings, and improve relationships, all of which contribute to long-term recovery and reduced substance use.
Nicotine replacement:
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is a medically-approved approach designed to help individuals quit smoking by providing a controlled dose of nicotine without the harmful chemicals found in cigarettes. Available in various forms, such as patches, gums, lozenges, and inhalers, NRT reduces withdrawal symptoms and cravings, making the transition to a smoke-free life more manageable.
Group counseling:
Group therapy entails therapeutic sessions conducted in a collective setting rather than one-on-one. It encompasses various modalities, from support groups and experiential therapy to psycho-education and beyond. The approach focuses on treatment and emphasizes the dynamic interactions and shared experiences among group members.
Experiential Therapy:
Experiential therapy is a therapeutic approach that encourages patients to identify and address hidden or subconscious issues through activities, interactions, and role-playing. Instead of focusing solely on talking, therapists use experiential techniques to help clients relive past traumas, express emotions, and gain insights into their behaviors. The aim is to foster personal growth and enhance self-awareness by immersing individuals in experiences that can lead to a deeper understanding of themselves and their relationships.
Nutrition Therapy:
Nutrition therapy is a tailored dietary approach to managing and preventing certain medical conditions. Administered by registered dietitians or nutrition professionals, it involves the assessment of an individual's nutritional status and the development of personalized nutrition strategies to optimize health and manage specific health concerns.
Marital/couples counseling:
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.
Trauma-related counseling:
Trauma therapy delves into past traumatic events that might be influencing a client's current life experiences. Often, trauma serves as a significant precipitant or underlying cause of addiction. Such traumas can arise from childhood sexual abuse, domestic violence, growing up with a mentally ill parent, early parental loss, and experiences of sexual assault in teen or adult years, among other circumstances. Trauma therapy aims to aid the individual in processing and navigating beyond these traumas, guided by the expertise and empathy of skilled mental health specialists.
Life Skills:
Life skills training encompasses essential skills for individuals to navigate daily challenges successfully. This training includes time management, career guidance, money management, and effective communication, which are crucial for holistic addiction recovery. By mastering these skills, individuals are not only able to live substance-free but also thrive. Life skills training thus provides the practical tools for functional living in society, setting clients on a path toward lasting sobriety and success in life.
Fitness Therapy:
"Fitness Therapy" refers to the integration of exercise and movement techniques with therapeutic principles to promote mental and physical well-being. It emphasizes the connection between physical activity and emotional health, harnessing the healing powers of exercise to aid in rehabilitation, manage chronic conditions, reduce stress, and improve overall quality of life. Through personalized regimens and mindful practices, Fitness Therapy seeks to holistically empower individuals to achieve their health and wellness goals.
Motivational Interviewing:
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a client-centered therapeutic approach that fosters behavioral change by assisting individuals in exploring and resolving ambivalence. Specifically tailored for addiction treatment, MI helps clients unearth their own motivations to quit substance use and empowers them to take the lead in their recovery journey. Therapists guide clients toward their goals and self-determined pathways to sobriety through empathetic conversation and skillful questioning.
Intervention Services:
Intervention services assist families and friends of addicts in orchestrating an intervention, a meeting where concerned individuals express their worries and urge the addict to seek treatment. Expert interventionists aid in planning, assembling, and conversing with the affected individual. They direct participants on how to convey the adverse effects of the addict's actions and emphasize the need for external assistance to tackle the addiction. The ultimate goal of an intervention is to encourage the addict to enter rehab and receive the necessary help.
Ancillary Services
Languages
- Sign language services for the deaf and hard of hearing
- Spanish
Special Programs
- Clients with HIV or AIDS
- Active duty military
- Clients who have experienced trauma
- Persons with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Veterans
Contact Information
DISCLAIMER: The facility name, logo and brand are the property and registered trademarks of Birmingham VA Medical Center, and are being used for identification and informational purposes only. Use of these names, logos and brands shall not imply endorsement. BetterAddictionCare.com is not affiliated with or sponsored by Birmingham VA Medical Center.
