Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center: Polytrauma Transitional Center

About Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center: Polytrauma Transitional Center – Richmond

Hunter Holmes McGuire Medical Center is a VA hospital in Richmond, Virginia that provides a whole array of substance use and mental health services for military veterans and their families. Their services run the gamut from inpatient mental health, residential drug rehab, and intensive outpatient to regular outpatient services. They are a regional center of excellence for veteran mental health care.

They treat all the psychiatric conditions that you would expect a large facility to be capable of treating including drug and alcohol use, depression, anxiety and schizophrenia. Because they’re a VA hospital they specialize in treating illnesses that are especially important to people in the military including PTSD from combat, and military sexual trauma.

It can be hard to know if a drug problem is causing a mental health problem or if a mental health problem is causing a drug problem, so the VA treats both problems at the same time. When mental health and substance use disorders happen together, it’s known as having a dual diagnosis.

Residential rehab is right for you or your loved one if your mental health is otherwise relatively stable but you need support and a stable environment to help you stop drinking or using. The length of stay in a residential program is individualized, but expect anything from at least a week to a month. You can expect your time to be spent in programming where you learn about addiction, and about strategies to keep from relapsing. You will learn healthy leisure skills that will help keep you out of trouble once you are out of rehab.You can also get outpatient treatment at a range of intensities and frequencies to evolve with your changing needs at every step of your recovery journey.

They also provide care coordination services to help you navigate these levels of care. They use proven treatments including both medication and talk therapy. If you’re experiencing opioid dependency you may choose medication assisted treatment using methadone or buprenorphine. You can choose to receive cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, prolonged exposure therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and cognitive processing therapy.

Addiction Treatments

Levels of Care

Aftercare Support

Completing a drug or alcohol rehab program shouldn't spell the end of substance abuse treatment. Aftercare involves making a sustainable plan for recovery, including ongoing support. This can include sober living arrangements like halfway houses, career counseling, and setting a patient up with community programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA).

Inpatient

Residential treatment programs are those that offer housing and meals in addition to substance abuse treatment. Rehab facilities that offer residential treatment allow patients to focus solely on recovery, in an environment totally separate from their lives. Some rehab centers specialize in short-term residential treatment (a few days to a week or two), while others solely provide treatment on a long-term basis (several weeks to months). Some offer both, and tailor treatment to the patient's individual requirements.

Intensive Outpatient

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) are for those who want or need a very structured treatment program but who also wish to live at home and continue with certain responsibilities (such as work or school). IOP substance abuse treatment programs vary in duration and intensity, and certain outpatient rehab centers will offer individualized treatment programs.

Intervention Services

Intervention services helps family or friends of addicts stage an intervention, which is a meeting in which loved ones share their concerns and attempt to get an addict into treatment. Professional intervention specialists can help loved ones organize, gather, and communicate with an addict. They can guide intervention participants in describing the damage the addict's behavior is causing and that outside help is necessary to address the addiction. The ideal outcome of an intervention is for the addict to go to rehab and get the help they need.

Medically Assisted Detox

Drug and alcohol addiction often takes a heavy toll on one's body. Over time, a physical dependence can develop, meaning the body physiologically needs the substance to function. Detox is the process of removing drugs and/or alcohol from the body, a process that can be lethal if mismanaged. Medical detox is done by licensed medical professionals who monitor vital signs and keep you safe, healthy, and as comfortable as possible as you go through detox and withdrawal.

Outpatient

Outpatient Programs (OP) are for those seeking mental rehab or drug rehab, but who also stay at home every night. The main difference between outpatient treatment (OP) and intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) lies in the amount of hours the patient spends at the facility. Most of the time an outpatient program is designed for someone who has completed an inpatient stay and is looking to continue their growth in recovery. Outpatient is not meant to be the starting point, it is commonly referred to as aftercare.

Treatments

Alcoholism Drug Addiction Dual Diagnosis Mental Health and Substance Abuse Opioid Addiction

Programs

Adult Program

Adult rehab programs include therapies tailored to each client's specific needs, goals, and recovery progress. They are tailored to the specific challenges adult clients may face, including family and work pressures and commitments. From inpatient and residential treatment to various levels of outpatient services, there are many options available. Some facilities also help adults work through co-occurring conditions, like anxiety, that can accompany addiction.

LGBTQ Program

Recovery is most successful when clients feel accepted and validated by their peers and treatment providers. Facilities that offer LGBTQ-inclusive programming are committed to creating a safe space where everyone can grow and recover without fear of judgment or discrimination. They will have dedicated policies in place to create a safe and supportive environment that fosters free expression.

Military Program

Serving in the military is both mentally and physically challenging, and can result in trauma that persists even after combat ends. Military programs are tailored to the specific and often complex needs of active duty personnel, veterans, and military families. Clients often access these programs through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Young Adult Program

Young adulthood can be an exciting, yet difficult, time of transition. Individuals in their late teens to mid-20s face unique stressors related to school, jobs, families, and social circles, which can lead to a rise in substance use. Rehab centers with dedicated young adult programs will include activities and amenities that cater to this age group, with an emphasis on specialized counseling, peer socialization, and ongoing aftercare.

Staff

J. Ronald Johnson, FACHE

Executive Director

James W. Dudley, Jr.

Associate Director

Thomas Murphy, MD

Interim Chief of Staff

Gwen Hampton, DNP

Associate Director for Patient Care Services

Tabitha Sierra, PsyD, ABPP, MHA, MBA

Assistant Director & Chief Experience Officer

Sandy L. Markert, MHA, MBA, IN

Assistant Director & Administrator

Accreditations

Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center: Polytrauma Transitional Center

About Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center: Polytrauma Transitional Center – Richmond

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