ABOUT MINNEAPOLIS VA HEALTHCARE SYSTEM- MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Minneapolis Veterans Affairs (VA) Healthcare System, located in Minneapolis, Minn., offers outpatient treatment and VA-based residential treatment referrals to United States Veterans struggling with substance abuse and co-occurring mental health problems. The mission of the VA is “to serve the Veteran who served us” and their five core values include integrity, commitment, advocacy, respect, and excellence.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
The facility’s treatment program, Addiction Recovery Services (ARS), takes a comprehensive and individualized approach to rehabilitation of all clients. In order to be admitted, potential clients should contact the facility directly to speak with someone in the Mental Health Intake department. Treatment services include Specialty Substance Use Disorder (SUD) group programming- including an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), outpatient services for Veterans with dual diagnosis, and medication-assisted therapy.
Throughout treatment, clients receive individual treatment coordination, psychiatric management for those with dual diagnosis, individual psychotherapy, couples therapy, and family consultation. Gambling assessment and referral for treatment is also available for clients in need of this service.
The IOP is an abstinence-based outpatient treatment program for clients who have active substance use problems and are ready to commit to rehabilitation and sobriety. The group lasts for four weeks and consists of outpatient groups which meet three times per week, either in the morning or afternoon. Clients in this program must also attend an orientation session as well as complete and individual assessment within the first week of treatment. Following completion of IOP, an aftercare group is available for additional support for eight weeks.
The Relapse Prevention (RP) program is also an abstinence-based outpatient group therapy program. This group meets twice per week for two hours over the course of three weeks. This is a less intensive program designed for clients who want to achieve sobriety but might have had a relapse or be at risk for relapse.
The Saturday ARS group is similar to those described above but meets only once per week on Saturdays for 12 weeks. The Opiate Treatment Program uses medication to assist with managing withdrawal symptoms. Medications include methadone or buprenorphine.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
According to the facility’s website, most treatment teams consist of psychiatrists, social workers, nurses, and psychologists. Additional staff may include certified peer specialists, pharmacists, recreation therapists, occupational therapists, and creative arts therapists.
REVIEWS
At the time of this writing there has been one friend or family member polled by Best-rehabs.com. The anonymous loved one gave a very positive review of the facility with perfect scores in every metric including five out of five stars each for treatment effectiveness, accommodations & amenities, and meals & nutrition. He strongly agreed that family and loved ones were able to participate in treatment through facility programming; that there were many counseling options to choose from depending on the client’s preference; and that the facility was adequately equipped and staffed to treat co-occurring mental health problems in addition to substance use disorders. The loved one felt that a strength of the facility was that they are a caring program and the treatment was effective. He felt that the facility could improve upon offering more one-on-one time with clients. Overall, the loved one strongly agreed that he would recommend this facility to another friend or loved one who was considering rehab.
On the facility’s Google page, there is an overall rating of 4.2 out of five stars based on 107 total reviews.[1] The reviews, however, were regarding the Minneapolis VA in general and none were specifically regarding Mental Health Services of Addiction Recovery Services.
FINANCING
There is currently no information provided by the facility regarding its costs, although it can be assumed that treatment is offered free to Veterans, as are all VA services.
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