Alaska VA Healthcare System – Anchorage, Alaska

Last Updated: January 7, 2025

Isaak Stotts Authored by Isaak Stotts, LP
Dr. Ash Bhatt Reviewed by Dr. Ash Bhatt
0 sources cited

Alaska VA Healthcare System – Anchorage, Alaska in Anchorage Overview

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Treatment Options

The facility offers multiple levels of care, such as:

  • Mentoring/peer support
  • Housing services
  • Discharge Planning
  • Employment counseling or training
  • Self-help groups
  • Naloxone and overdose education
  • Outcome follow-up after discharge
  • Recovery coach

The center treats the following addictions and co-occurring disorders:

  • Clients with co-occurring mental and substance use disorders
  • Veterans
  • Criminal justice (other than DUI/DWI)/Forensic clients
  • Clients with HIV or AIDS
  • Clients who have experienced trauma
  • Clients who have experienced sexual abuse
  • Clients who have experienced intimate partner violence, domestic violence
  • Persons with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Clients with co-occurring pain and substance use disorders
  • Active duty military
  • Screening for tobacco use
  • Comprehensive mental health assessment
  • Comprehensive substance use assessment
  • Interim services for clients
  • Outreach to persons in the community
  • Screening for mental disorders
  • Screening for substance use
  • Complete medical history/physical exam

Treatment Modalities

Individual therapy, often referred to as psychotherapy or counseling, is a one-on-one therapeutic interaction between a trained therapist and a client. It provides a confidential space for individuals to explore their feelings, beliefs, and behaviors, working through challenging memories, experiences, or emotions. The therapist facilitates self-awareness, promotes personal growth and insight, and offers coping strategies to manage specific issues like stress, anxiety, depression, and other life challenges. The ultimate goal is to improve the individual’s mental well-being and enhance their overall quality of life.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a therapeutic approach that emphasizes the interconnectedness of thoughts, emotions, and actions. It promotes healthy reactions to thoughts and emotions, steering individuals away from harmful responses such as substance abuse. Proven effective for various addiction recoveries, CBT enhances an individual’s self-awareness and self-control. Through CBT, individuals learn to better gauge their emotional well-being, communicate more effectively, and handle stress without resorting to drugs or alcohol.

Integrated Mental and Substance Use Disorder treatment is a comprehensive approach to treating individuals with both mental health and substance use disorders. It aims to address both conditions simultaneously through a coordinated and integrated approach. The goal is to improve overall well-being and reduce the risk of relapse.

Activity therapy is a therapeutic approach frequently used to assist individuals in their recovery from physical addictions or emotional challenges. The primary objective of this therapeutic modality is to involve the individual in creative activities that promote positive changes in their thought patterns. This form of therapy can be conducted one-on-one with a therapist or within a group setting. The ultimate aim of Activity Therapy is to alleviate stress and anxiety while fostering increased self-confidence and improved social interaction skills.

Telehealth Therapy is a remote care option that allows individuals to access mental health services via digital technology, such as secure video conferencing. This mode enables patients to engage with therapists from their homes, offering flexibility and overcoming geographical limitations. Ideal for those in rural areas, with mobility issues, or tight schedules, Telehealth Therapy ensures quality mental health support is always within reach.

Substance use disorder counseling treatment modalities refer to various approaches and methods used in the counseling and treatment of individuals with substance use problems. This can include individual therapy, group therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, family therapy, and 12-step programs. The goal is to help the individual overcome their substance use, develop healthy coping skills, and lead a fulfilling life in recovery.

Trauma-related counseling is a specialized form of therapeutic intervention aimed at assisting individuals who have experienced distressing, life-altering events. This approach focuses on helping clients process their traumatic experiences, develop coping mechanisms, and rebuild a sense of safety and trust. Counselors trained in trauma therapy use evidence-based techniques to support healing and resilience, ensuring survivors can move forward and lead fulfilling lives despite their past adversities.

Tobacco cessation counseling encompasses discussions with a counselor regarding your tobacco or vape usage and its integration into your daily routine, with the goal of devising a strategy to quit. This service caters to individuals desiring to quit tobacco, offering interventions like behavioral support or counseling in groups or one-on-one settings. The counseling sessions may range from brief encounters (under 5 minutes) to more intensive discussions (exceeding 10 minutes) and may necessitate multiple sessions.

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.

12-Step Facilitation is a structured approach to recovery used in many rehab facilities. It’s rooted in the principles and practices of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and its 12-step program. The facilitation process promotes abstinence and supports individuals in becoming actively involved in 12-step self-help groups. The approach emphasizes personal responsibility, spiritual growth, and the importance of peer support to maintain sobriety and prevent relapse. By guiding individuals through each step, 12-step Facilitation aids participants in understanding the underlying causes of their addiction, seeking amends, and fostering a commitment to lifelong recovery.

Intervention is a set of structured processes or strategies designed to assist individuals in recognizing and addressing problematic behaviors, such as substance abuse, addiction, or mental health issues. These services typically involve a team of professionals or trained individuals who work collaboratively to guide and support the person in need and their loved ones, aiming to facilitate a pathway to recovery or appropriate treatment.

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.

Anger Management is a therapeutic approach aimed at helping individuals recognize the triggers and signs of their anger and teaching them effective ways to calm down and deal with the situations in a positive manner. Through a blend of counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and practical skill development, individuals learn to reduce aggressive responses, improve communication, and enhance interpersonal relationships, contributing to a better quality of life.

The Matrix Model involves clients in group and individual counseling, psychoeducation, and skill-building exercises to boost self-awareness, coping skills, and well-being. It prioritizes creating a supportive, collaborative therapy environment, promoting active client involvement in their recovery. This approach integrates cognitive-behavioral therapy, 12-step facilitation, family education, and relapse prevention strategies into a comprehensive evidence-based program.

The Relapse Prevention Model is a cognitive-behavioral approach designed to help individuals anticipate and effectively cope with potential challenges and high-risk situations that may lead to a return to undesired behaviors, often after a period of abstinence or behavior change. This model emphasizes the importance of recognizing early warning signs, developing coping strategies, and building self-efficacy to sustain positive change and avoid setbacks. Commonly used in addiction therapy, it can also be applied to other areas where behavior change is sought, such as weight management or anger control.

Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT) is a therapeutic intervention designed to enhance cognitive skills and daily functioning in individuals with neurological conditions or mental health disorders. Through the use of targeted exercises and compensatory strategies, CRT aims to address cognitive impairments such as memory, attention, and problem-solving difficulties. This therapy may be employed in a variety of settings and is often integrated with other therapeutic approaches to promote holistic recovery and improved quality of life.

The AIMS is a 12-point evaluation instrument that clinicians employ to assess the severity of dyskinesias, notably in the face, limbs, and torso, for patients on neuroleptic medications. It gauges the overall effect, the level of impairment, and the patient’s awareness and distress about these involuntary movements. Frequently used in research on antipsychotic drugs to detect tardive dyskinesia, the AIMS is prized for its clear format and swift assessment, making it suitable for routine clinical examinations by trained professionals.

Conditions Treated

Mental health treatment

Mental health facilities offer a safe space for individuals to get specialized care. Trained experts create personal plans using therapies, possibly including medication. The goal is to help individuals cope better and lead fulfilling lives, with constant support and a community feel.

Alcoholism

Alcohol addiction is when a person becomes physically and mentally dependent on alcohol, leading to mood swings, impulsive actions, intense cravings, and withdrawal symptoms. Treatment includes supervised detox, therapy, and support groups. It’s important to note that rehabilitation doesn’t “cure” alcoholism, but it helps individuals better manage their addiction, regain their ability to function in daily life, and improve their overall well-being.

Substance use treatment

Substance use rehabilitation embodies a holistic treatment approach crafted to assist individuals contending with drug or alcohol addiction. This all-encompassing rehabilitation strategy encompasses two crucial components: initially addressing the physical dependency, frequently commencing with detoxification, and subsequently confronting the psychological triggers through a diverse array of therapeutic methods. The overarching objective is to empower individuals to achieve and maintain sobriety while equipping them with essential skills and coping mechanisms for a successful reintegration into society and a life free from substance abuse.

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

Hospital inpatient treatment

Inpatient treatment includes an all-encompassing residential therapeutic regimen, during which patients reside on-site for a period usually spanning 30 to 90 days. Within this immersive setting, individuals receive structured assistance, prioritizing their safety and fostering a dedication to recovery. The treatment modalities offered may include individual and group counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy, holistic interventions, family therapy sessions, as well as experiential therapies. The overarching objective is to comprehensively address the physical, emotional, and psychological dimensions of addiction or mental health disorders, establishing a resilient groundwork for long-term healing.

Partial Hospitalization Program

A partial hospitalization program (PHP) is a short-term form of intensive rehab, usually for those with acute symptoms that are hard to manage but donโ€™t require 24-hour care. PHPs have structured programming (i.e. individual and/or group therapy), and usually meet 3-5 days a week for around 6 hours (i.e. 9am-3m). Some PHPs are residential (patients sleep on site) and some are not, so patients sleep at home. PHPs can last from 1-6 months, and some offer transportation and meals.

Outpatient

Outpatient programs are designed for individuals in stable medical condition with a low risk of relapse, often those who’ve completed inpatient treatment. These programs extend the foundation of prior treatment approaches, offering continuous addiction guidance and resources for sustained recovery. For those transitioning straight from detox, medical and psychological assessments are typically conducted, leading to the development of individualized treatment strategies. The majority of outpatient rehab centers provide diverse care levels, customized to each client’s unique requirements.

Short-term residential

Short-term residential rehab is a brief, intensive program for individuals seeking help with substance abuse. Unlike long-term rehab, it offers a more condensed stay, typically a few weeks to a few months. Short-term programs focus on rapid stabilization and intensive treatment, making them suitable for those with time constraints or responsibilities. They provide 24/7 care, counseling, and support, helping individuals develop coping skills and a foundation for recovery in a shorter timeframe compared to long-term rehab.

Long-term residential

Long-term treatment programs often include residential programs, which entail patients residing in a facility for the duration of their treatment, depending on their needs. These programs have staff on the premises at all hours to offer round-the-clock support to each patient. Length of treatment can range from 90-day rehab stays to 6-month rehab stays, 1-year rehab programs, or even a 2-year treatment stay if needed.

Outpatient methadone/buprenorphine or naltrexone treatment

Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) is a comprehensive treatment program for individuals with opioid use disorder. It involves the long-term prescribing of methadone, a synthetic opioid, to patients in an effort to reduce or eliminate their use of illicit opioids, such as heroin. When provided at an appropriate dose and in conjunction with counseling and other support services, MMT can help to stabilize patients’ lives, reduce illicit drug use, and lower the risks of drug-related harm, such as overdose and transmission of infectious diseases.

Outpatient day treatment or partial hospitalization

Outpatient day treatment or partial hospitalization level of care is a type of mental health treatment that provides a high level of care outside of a traditional inpatient setting. It typically involves intensive therapy and support services for several hours each day, several days per week. This level of care is designed for individuals who require more support than traditional outpatient therapy but do not need 24-hour inpatient care.

Intensive outpatient treatment

IOP, or Intensive Outpatient, is a structured level of care for addiction, mental health, or other conditions. Unlike inpatient care, it allows individuals live at home and maintain daily responsibilities. They attend multiple weekly sessions totaling 9-20 hours, including individual and group therapy, family counseling, and skill-building classes for symptom management and relapse prevention.

Regular outpatient treatment

Regular Outpatient Treatment involves scheduled therapy sessions typically held on an outpatient basis, allowing individuals to receive essential support while maintaining their daily routines. These sessions usually range from one to three times per week, providing a flexible approach to recovery that accommodates the individual’s needs and progress. It offers a structured environment for therapy and counseling, enabling individuals to address addiction or mental health issues while continuing to engage in their daily responsibilities.

Aftercare

Finishing a drug or alcohol rehab program is not the conclusion of substance abuse treatment but rather a pivotal step toward long-term recovery. Aftercare encompasses devising a sustainable recovery plan coupled with enduring support. It may include sober living environments such as halfway houses, career counseling, and connecting patients with community support programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA). This holistic approach ensures a smooth transition into a substance-free life while bolstering resilience against relapse.

Halfway house

A sober living home provides a supportive environment for individuals recovering from substance abuse. Distinct from inpatient rehab centers, it prioritizes a drug-free living without continuous medical oversight. Residents follow specific rules, including curfews and required group sessions, and may undergo random drug screenings. This setting merges autonomy with responsibility, aiding residents in their return to society, fostering coping mechanisms, and upholding sobriety alongside peers facing comparable recovery journeys.

Payment Options

  • State-financed health insurance plan other than Medicaid
  • Private health insurance
  • U.S. Department of VA funds
  • Cash or self-payment

License and Accreditation

  • The Joint Commission
  • Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)

Ancillary Services

  • Assertive community treatment
  • Case management service
  • Chronic disease/illness management
  • Court-ordered outpatient treatment
  • Diet and exercise counseling
  • Education services
  • Family psychoeducation
  • Integrated primary care services
  • Psychosocial rehabilitation services
  • Suicide prevention services
  • Supported employment
  • Supported housing
  • Vocational rehabilitation services
  • Domestic violence services, including family or partner
  • Early intervention for HIV
  • Mental health services
  • Social skills development
  • Transportation assistance

Published on: January 6th, 2025

Updated on: January 7th, 2025

Disclaimer

A treatment center will attempt to verify your health insurance benefits and/or necessary authorizations on your behalf. Please note, this is only a quote of benefits and/or authorization. We cannot guarantee payment or verification eligibility as conveyed by your health insurance provider will be accurate and complete. Payment of benefits are subject to all terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions of the memberโ€™s contract at time of service. Your health insurance company will only pay for services that it determines to be โ€œreasonable and necessary.โ€ The treatment center will make every effort to have all services preauthorized by your health insurance company. If your health insurance company determines that a particular service is not reasonable and necessary, or that a particular service is not covered under your plan, your insurer will deny payment for that service and it will become your responsibility.


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