Substance Abuse & PTSD Treatment for Military Veterans

TruVida Recovery Orange County

Substance Abuse & PTSD Treatment for Military Veterans

TruVida Recovery Orange County

There are an estimated 23.4 million veterans in the United States, and about 2.2 million military service members and 3.1 million immediate family members. A recent study of veterans showed that approximately a 25% of vets 18-25 years old met the criteria for a substance use disorder in the previous year. Older veterans also have high rates of substance abuse.Veterans suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD) are more likely to have substance abuse problems, and vice versa. Alcohol and drugs abuse can often be an attempt to self-medicate in response to traumatic memories. Today’s statistics are daunting:

  • Up to 75% of individuals who have experienced violent or abusive trauma report problems with alcohol.
  • Up to 33% of survivors of traumatic disasters, accidents, or illnesses report drinking problems.
  • Alcohol abuse is more common among individuals who have chronic pain or continuing health problems due to a past traumatic experience.
  • The VA reports that in 2011, 476,515 veterans with primary or secondary PTSD received treatment.
  • Among veterans in VA care who have been diagnosed with PTSD, 27% also have a substance abuse disorder.
  • Conversely, approximately one-third of veterans with a substance abuse disorder also suffer from PTSD.
  • Among Afghanistan/Iraq veterans, 1 in 5– 18.5% – suffer from PTSD.
  • Between 60% and 80% of Vietnam veterans have a problem with alcohol use.
  • Veterans age 65 or older who have PTSD are at an elevated risk for suicide if they also suffer from depression or have a problem with alcohol.

Targeted Treatment for Substance Abuse and PTSD

PTSD is a mood disorder that is the result of witnessing or experiencing intense trauma. The symptoms for post-traumatic stress are similar to those of other mood disorders in some cases, as they can include anxiety and depression. This prevalence of substance abuse and PTSD among veterans creates a special need for substance abuse treatment that can take into account the complicating factors of PTSD. It is important to fine-tune treatment to meet this need, as well as to manage the particular issues and stigma that surround these disorders in military veterans.

Options for Integrated Treatments

Studies have found that an integrated dual treatment for PTSD and substance abuse, is the most effective, treating both disorders at the same time. Because the disorders tend to feed into each other, it is much harder to recover from one if the other is not treated. Treatments used by TruVida recovery include:

Made to Fit Your Needs

These types of treatment have been shown to provide benefit for both reducing substance abuse and helping to manage PTSD symptoms. A program of treatments can be adjusted as needed to meet the individual’s specific needs.

  • High incidence of PTSD
  • High incidence of mental health disorders Combat exposure
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • High incidence of substance misuse during active service Chronic pain
  • Altered mechanisms of coping with stress Being a woman
  • Inability to recognize or acknowledge that there is a problem reluctance to seek help

Need More Information?

For additional Internet resources for co-occurring PTSD and Substance Abuse disorders, visit:

There are an estimated 23.4 million veterans in the United States, and about 2.2 million military service members and 3.1 million immediate family members. A recent study of veterans showed that approximately a 25% of vets 18-25 years old met the criteria for a substance use disorder in the previous year. Older veterans also have high rates of substance abuse.Veterans suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD) are more likely to have substance abuse problems, and vice versa. Alcohol and drugs abuse can often be an attempt to self-medicate in response to traumatic memories. Today’s statistics are daunting:

  • Up to 75% of individuals who have experienced violent or abusive trauma report problems with alcohol.
  • Up to 33% of survivors of traumatic disasters, accidents, or illnesses report drinking problems.
  • Alcohol abuse is more common among individuals who have chronic pain or continuing health problems due to a past traumatic experience.
  • The VA reports that in 2011, 476,515 veterans with primary or secondary PTSD received treatment.
  • Among veterans in VA care who have been diagnosed with PTSD, 27% also have a substance abuse disorder.
  • Conversely, approximately one-third of veterans with a substance abuse disorder also suffer from PTSD.
  • Among Afghanistan/Iraq veterans, 1 in 5– 18.5% – suffer from PTSD.
  • Between 60% and 80% of Vietnam veterans have a problem with alcohol use.
  • Veterans age 65 or older who have PTSD are at an elevated risk for suicide if they also suffer from depression or have a problem with alcohol.

Targeted Treatment for Substance Abuse and PTSD

PTSD is a mood disorder that is the result of witnessing or experiencing intense trauma. The symptoms for post-traumatic stress are similar to those of other mood disorders in some cases, as they can include anxiety and depression. This prevalence of substance abuse and PTSD among veterans creates a special need for substance abuse treatment that can take into account the complicating factors of PTSD. It is important to fine-tune treatment to meet this need, as well as to manage the particular issues and stigma that surround these disorders in military veterans.

Options for Integrated Treatments

Studies have found that an integrated dual treatment for PTSD and substance abuse, is the most effective, treating both disorders at the same time. Because the disorders tend to feed into each other, it is much harder to recover from one if the other is not treated. Treatments used by TruVida recovery include:

Made to Fit Your Needs

These types of treatment have been shown to provide benefit for both reducing substance abuse and helping to manage PTSD symptoms. A program of treatments can be adjusted as needed to meet the individual’s specific needs.

  • High incidence of PTSD
  • High incidence of mental health disorders Combat exposure
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • High incidence of substance misuse during active service Chronic pain
  • Altered mechanisms of coping with stress Being a woman
  • Inability to recognize or acknowledge that there is a problem reluctance to seek help

Need More Information?

For additional Internet resources for co-occurring PTSD and Substance Abuse disorders, visit:

Accreditations You Can Trust

Dr. Venice Sanchez

Ph.D., LMFT

Clinical Outreach Specialist, Europe Division

Dr. Sanchez works closely with Truvida Recovery patients regarding substance abuse and related mental illnesses and creates a supportive, cooperative and informed therapeutic environment. Her areas of expertise include Substance Dependence, Dual Diagnosis, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Generalized anxiety disorder, Panic Disorder, Bereavement, Acute stress disorder, and more. Ms Sanchez has extensive training with experts in the field of Substance Abuse, and mood and thought disorders underlying the substance use. She received a Bachelor’s degree from University of California, Los Angeles and Medical Degree from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. She continues training at the UC Irvine Psychiatry Residency Program and has been recognized with the Outstanding Resident of the Year Award.

Jaime Askew

LMFT, LPCC

Clinical Director

Ms. Askew is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor who has been working in the field treating substance abuse and mental health issues for over twenty years.  She obtained a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, with an emphasis in Marriage, Family, & Child Counseling from Pepperdine University and was among the first to obtain the LPCC license in the state of California.  She has been providing clinical supervision and training to interns, conducting workshops, and is a certified Trauma therapy trainer.  Her areas of expertise include working with legal issues, court ordered treatment, family preservation, trauma therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, family systems, social skills training, play therapy, and career/ vocational counseling.  Her passion is in advocating for at risk populations, holistic healing, and treating the underlying, core issues to help individuals achieve their maximum potential and happiness.  Jaime’s extensive experience and passionate leadership is of extreme importance to the overall TruVida clinical program, and her hands-on guidance of our clinical team insures that each patient is receiving optimal therapeutic treatment and care.

John Biroc

Consulting Psychologist

Dr. Biroc has a broad base of mental health and addiction recovery training and experience. He has supervised and taught therapists in various methodologies of effectively working with groups and individuals during therapy. He created and set up new group structures and trained staff in understanding the challenges of addiction recovery. He also helped develop curricula in Sociodrama and Psychodrama. Dr. Biroc is devoted to breaking paradigms that prevent progress in the path to lasting recovery. He is a member of the Nat’l Association of Marriage and Family therapists, and has a Ph.D. degree in Psychology, and a M.S. degree in Counseling from USC.

Dr. Nader Siahdohoni

Consulting Psychologist

Ph.D.

Dr. Nader is one our esteemed consulting Psychologists who provides our Clients with various breakthrough therapy’s that focus the functional systems including neurons, neurotransmitters, and certain brain waves that enable the way we think, behave, move, feel, and maintain homeostasis. Such therapy’s include NeuroMax neurofeedback, the state of art integrated technology in Neurofeedback, combinations of wireless Electroencephalogram (EEG), real time brain mapping and a unique and exceptional neuropathway therapy called “Visual Concentration Attention Therapy (VCAT)”. Dr Nader graduated from Walden University.

Tiffany Agra

Therapist

LMFT #103693

Ms. Agra is a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist, who has been working with individuals, couples, families, and groups for the past seven years. Her other therapeutic approaches include Narrative Therapy, Family Systems Theory, Psychodynamic dream interpretation, and Gestalt Psychology. She has also been a Guest Speaker at other organizations. This unique background has made her effective at helping clients overcome the grip of substance addiction. Tiffany obtained two Bachelor’s degrees from the University of California, Davis, and her Master’s degree from the California State University, Long Beach. She has worked for both the county of Orange and Riverside, helping those who struggle with addiction and mental illness. In addition to providing evidenced-based approaches to the clinical program at Truvida Recovery, she brings her compassion as a fellow addict in recovery; living proof that we do get better!

Deborah Wieland

Therapist

MS, LMFT #96864

Ms. Wieland is an Eclectic EMDR Therapist, using R-TEP and G-TEP, and specializes in several modalities in treating Substance Use issues, Dual Diagnosis, Complex Trauma, and Severe Mental illness. Deborah also provides several types of therapy such as Psychodynamic, Rogerian, CBT, DBT, IFS, PICT, MI, Grief Recovery, Sand Tray, and Attachment Theory to help her patients achieve mental wellness and a sober lifestyle.

She has worked with Psychiatric Hospitals providing crisis interventions and psychotherapy to those struggling with substance abuse issues, mental health issues, and domestic violence. She completed her undergraduate and graduate studies at Vanguard University of Southern California. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Summa Cum Laude and a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology. She is currently completing her Doctoral studies in Clinical Psychology at Cal Southern University. Deborah is an active member of EMDRIA, California Association Marriage Family Therapist (CAMFT), American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC), and Psi Chi International Honors Society of Psychology.

Ashley McLaughlin

Therapist

LMFT

Ms. McLaughlin is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in EMDR therapy. She brings over ten years of experience working in the field of addiction to the Truvida Team. She obtained a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University and has two Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Economics from University of California, San Diego. Ms. McLaughlin was trained in EMDR in 2013 and since has been helping individuals process through past traumatic experiences that have contributed to current struggles with substance abuse and mental health symptoms. Her extensive experience and passion for this field has helped guide individuals through the process of recovery in order to experience freedom from their past and a hope for their future.

Travis Taylor

Therapist

LMFT

Mr. Taylor is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in  Drug Abuse & Addiction,  PTSD, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality, Codependency, Coping Skills, Depression, Dual Diagnosis. Taylor uses an integrative approach geared towards understanding self, specifically what drives one’s thoughts and behaviors. He excels in helping patients identify automatic thoughts that lead to specific feelings and undesired actions. Another useful approach stems from understanding how thoughts and behaviors are fueled by former messages that have been consistently reinforced. Travis has over 6 years of therapeutic practice and obtained a Master’s degree at Vanguard University.

Kat Johnson

AOD Counselor, Group Facilitator

With almost 10 years experience working at treatment centers, Kat Johnson shares her wisdom and passion for balanced living, creative writing, and meditation and how each plays a role in early recovery and beyond. Certified as a CADC II, and supported by a bachelors in psychology, Kat’s infectious energy brings her groups to life. She is grateful for every opportunity to spread health and wellness.

Paige A. Chastain

AOD Counselor, Case Manager

Ms. Chastain has dedicated her life to helping the suffering addict/alcoholic, bringing personal experience to both individual substance abuse and group counseling settings. She has worked in the field of addiction for several years, currently working as an addiction counselor and case manager.  Paige too, is a collaborative member of the multi-disciplinary team providing excellence in addiction services, working with clients from detox to intensive outpatient levels of care. She holds a strong skill-set in Psychoeducation, Motivational Interviewing and Dialectical Behavior Therapy.  She also has extensive experience with 12-step recovery programs. Paige is passionate about treating the client with empathy, compassion and respect throughout the client’s journey.  Paige holds an AA from Saddleback College, a BA from the University of California of Irvine and is a certified CADC-I holding memberships with CCAPP and NAADAC.

Lesley Richards

AOD Counselor, Interventionist

Ms. Richards began in this field of healthcare as a volunteer for substance abuse treatment centers and worked her way up from there. Lesley has dedicated her life to helping the suffering addict. it is here strong belief that everyone deserves to have the opportunity to have a safe and sober life.  She is very compassionate about her work as an addiction counselor, and has a strong commitment in helping patients struggling with addiction in developing healthy coping mechanisms, and developing new positive behavioral habits.  Her Group counseling sessions are highly sought after within the TruVida program.  Lesley is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), National Certified Intervention Professional (NCIP), Nationally Certified Recovery Coach (NCRC), and is a member of the California Consortium of Addiction programs (CCAP), as well as the International Association of Addiction Professionals.

Christine Green

Treatment Facilitator

Christine Green is a certified personal trainer, and yoga instructor. Ms. Green is dedicated to helping patients struggling with substance abuse transform their lives through a consciousness-based approach to body-in-motion fitness.

Christine passionately shares her 18 years experience with our clients by sharing her specialized Yoga & Energy Healing Program, which she has developed over the past 8 years of working directly with addicts and alcoholics. Her Yoga program facilitates integration of all the layers of life – environmental, physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual with the primary initial goal of overcoming withdrawal symptoms and cravings from drug and alcohol dependency. TruVida is fortunate to have her as part of the team.

Allison Goode

Art in Recovery Counselor

Allison Goode is a lifelong resident of Laguna Beach and professional artist for over 15 years, and has developed a very successful and trans-formative Art in Recovery program in treatment facilities through out California. Her passion for the fine arts and helping others recover from substance abuse addiction is contagious. Allison has a unique ability to connect with clients through the creative process helping clients set positive goals for their recovery. Ms. Goode has studied Fine Art and Graphic Design at Laguna College of Art and Design, is a certified RADT1 technician, and is currently completing her CCAPP certification program.

Thomas Mladinich

Admissions Manager

Mr. Mladinich hard work ethic and dedication make him a key part of the TruVida team. Tom’s ability to connect and relate with others have allowed him to excel as admissions manager. His personal experience has allowed him to proudly serve those in need of recovery from addiction. Tom is eager to work with our clients and provide the experience, strength and hope that they need to find success in recovery.

Willie Sanchez

Operations Manager

Mr. Sanchez is a self-motivated professional with a positive attitude. He is actively involved in a 12 step fellowship. He effectively contributes to each Patient with their struggles with addiction. Willie is RADT1 certified counselor and has been educated at Long Beach City College.

Jose Flores

Program Manager

Mr. Flores is a highly motivated and hardworking team member with TruVida. He has several years of experience working in treatment helping individuals get back on track, achieving a lot of great results. He brings problem solving skills and experience to use everyday, and is proud and passionate about his profession as a RADT-I program manager.