Veteran & First Responder Support Services

How Great Oaks Recovery Center Helps Veterans

Specialized Care for Veterans and First Responders: The Tactical Recovery Program

Professionals in the military, law enforcement, and emergency response fields often face immense stress, high rates of depression and PTSD, and increased risk of addiction. Unfortunately, many Veterans and first responders hesitate to seek help for substance use disorders (SUD) or alcohol use disorders (AUD), doubting whether civilian treatment centers can truly understand and address their unique challenges. At Great Oaks Recovery Center near Houston, Texas, we aim to change that perception—and improve your health—with our Tactical Recovery program.

The Need for Veteran-Ready, Trauma-Focused Care

Military personnel, law enforcement officers, and first responders are trained to act decisively in high-pressure situations, often putting themselves in harm’s way. However, the psychological and emotional toll of these experiences doesn’t simply fade over time.

Bessel van der Kolk, in his groundbreaking work The Body Keeps Score, highlights how the body and mind retain trauma, leading to symptoms like depression, social withdrawal, sleep disturbances, flashbacks, and nightmares. For many individuals with PTSD, these recurring symptoms can result in risky behaviors, including substance misuse, self-harm, or addiction.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reports that Veterans are significantly more likely than civilians to experience PTSD, with deployment tripling the risk. Among Veterans using VA healthcare, 23% have experienced PTSD at some point in their lives, compared to 7% of those not using VA services. However, these figures may underrepresent the true scope of the issue, as not all Veterans seek care through the VA system.

Compounding Challenges in High-Risk Professions

For individuals with histories of adverse childhood experiences, generational substance use, or mental health conditions, the challenges of military and emergency response roles can amplify pre-existing vulnerabilities.

Additional Concerns Include:

  • Blast Exposures: Research from the University of Virginia (2023) reveals that repeated exposure to blasts—even without traumatic brain injuries—causes brain inflammation, reduced volume, and thinning of structures critical for memory, motor skills, and emotional regulation.
  • Mental Health Risks: Studies show that law enforcement officers face a 54% higher risk of suicide compared to civilians, with suicide being the second-leading cause of death among Veterans under 45, as noted in the VA’s 2023 report.
  • Barriers to Care:
    • Military zero-tolerance policies have historically led service members to hide SUD or AUD issues.
    • Until recently, some mental health conditions were grounds for release, further discouraging treatment.
    • Despite The Brandon Act (2023), which improves access to care for mental health and substance use, stigma and prejudice within ranks continue to deter many from seeking help.

Alarmingly, less than half of those struggling with substance misuse receive the treatment they need.

How Tactical Recovery at Great Oaks Can Help

The Tactical Recovery program at Great Oaks Recovery Center is designed to meet the specific needs of Veterans, first responders, and law enforcement personnel. By addressing their unique challenges in a culturally competent, trauma-informed environment, we provide an effective path to recovery.

Program Features Include:

  • Trauma-Informed, Veteran-Ready Care: Certified through PsychArmor, our program incorporates evidence-based practices tailored for this population.
  • Comprehensive Therapies: Treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), somatic experiencing, trauma-informed yoga, equine therapy, and recreational therapies foster healing across the mind, body, and spirit.
  • Individualized Support: Every participant receives a personalized care plan designed to meet their unique circumstances and recovery goals.

VA Community Care Network Approved

Great Oaks Recovery Center is approved to accept VA health benefits through the Community Care Network (CCN), enabling Veterans to access high-quality care outside the VA system.

Take the First Step Toward Healing

The challenges faced by Veterans and first responders are profound, but recovery is possible with the right support. At Great Oaks Recovery Center, our Tactical Recovery program offers compassionate, expert care in a setting designed to empower growth and transformation.

Call our admissions team today to learn more about how Tactical Recovery can help you overcome the fight and focus on the health and well-being you deserve.

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