ABOUT VA PUGET SOUND HEALTH CARE SYSTEM
Located in Tacoma, Wash., the VA Puget Sound Health Care System offers a variety of medical, health, and wellness services to veterans. Patients who are struggling with substance abuse and co-occurring disorders can access treatment through the center’s mental health division or through the facility’s specialized programs for female or homeless veterans.
The American Lake Division and the Seattle Division are two main hubs of the VA Puget Sound Health Care System. However, many services occur on an outpatient basis, and there are community-based outpatient sites in Bellevue, Bremerton, Federal Way, Mount Vernon, North Seattle, Port Angeles, and South Sound.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
According to the facility’s website, treatment begins with a consultation and comprehensive evaluation. Most programs incorporate individual counseling, group therapy, family counseling, and medication management, if necessary.
In addition to general programming, the center offers specialized substance abuse treatment for female veterans in two stand-alone clinics. These clinics also offer primary care services and counseling for mental health issues including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and military sexual trauma (MST).
Veterans without permanent housing can also find help through the Homeless Veterans program. In addition to substance abuse treatment, participants may access educational opportunities, job training, and housing assistance.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
The center’s website notes VA Puget Sound Health Care System employs a diverse staff of doctors, nurses, counselors, and other health and wellness professionals.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
Currently, no information is available about the VA Puget Sound facility’s accommodations and amenities in Tacoma, Wash. However, the four individuals polled at the time of this writing gave an average of 4.5 out of five stars for accommodations and amenities.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
The three alumni surveyed by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing provided mixed to positive reviews.
Two of the alumni rated the facility four and five out of five stars for its staff support and cleanliness. Alum F.C.B. in general gave poorer ratings for the facility than the other two alumni, particularly for VA Puget Sound’s visitor policy.
“If not for inpatient i might not have stayed clean. Also, if they didn’t introduce me to narcotics anonymous i would have relapsed,” Bernie wrote.
Of the two individuals who left reviews on the treatment center’s Yelp page at the time of this writing, one provided a five out of five star review, and the other left a two star review.[1]
“Huge, beautiful campus! More services than you might think,” Tara wrote.
The other alum who left a two star review complained about the center’s staff. “The only positive experience so far has been my transition case manager, and my physical therapist. The staff I have met are consistently rude to patients and many veterans are misinformed and misdirected in where they need to go for different things,” they wrote.
WHAT STAFF SAY
The lone staff member polled by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing provided a positive review. Arthur, a clinical trauma therapist employed by the program, described the center as “one of the premier programs to deal with duel diagnosis of addictive behavior and psychological behavior.”
Arthur also endorsed the staff, reporting that all of them are licensed medical professionals.
FINANCING
No pricing information is provided on the facility’s website, but patients may use their VA benefits to cover treatment costs.