Iowa City VA Health Care System

About Iowa City VA Health Care System – Iowa City

Iowa City VA Health Care System – VAMC is a comprehensive mental and behavioral health care facility for military personnel, Veterans, and families in Iowa City, Iowa. Treatment services include telehealth care, medically supervised detox, crisis intervention, inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, sober living, and aftercare.

Iowa City VA Health Care System – VAMC offers dedicated programming for adolescents, young adults, seniors, LGBTQ+ persons, and homeless and indigent persons. Treatment is also available for persons with co-occurring disorders.

Inpatient Programs
Their impatient programs allow clients to focus on their recovery in a highly structured and supportive environment. Clients receive medical and mental health assessments, personalized care planning, and comprehensive case management. They may also be prescribed FDA-approved medications to ease withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, and prevent potentially serious complications. Clients engage in intensive, trauma-informed individual, group, and family counseling that draws on proven modalities, including CBT and motivational interviewing. The program promotes clients’ successful community reintegration and sustained sobriety through robust, recovery-focused life-skills training that addresses topics such as relapse prevention. An array of evidence-based complementary therapies is also available, including experiential therapy, meditation and mindfulness, and recreational therapy.

Outpatient and Aftercare Services
Their outpatient and aftercare services encompass multiple levels of care including partial hospitalization programs (PHP), intensive outpatient programs (IOP), general outpatient programs (OP), and sober living programming to align with clients’ evolving needs. Aftercare services may include step-down support, 12-Step program facilitation, employment and housing assistance, and referrals for medical, mental health, and social service programs.

Accreditation and Payment
Iowa City VA Healthcare Systems – VAMC is accredited by The Joint Commission and accepts private insurance, military insurance, Medicare, financing, and self-pay. Financial aid is available.

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.

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.

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 don’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.

Treatments

Dual Diagnosis Mental Health

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