About John J. McGuirk Outpatient Clinic – New London
John J. McGuirk Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic is an addiction treatment center for veterans living in the New London, Connecticut, area. As stated above, this is just an outpatient clinic. However, they do have some great options for treatment if you want some flexibility in your therapy schedule. Outpatient care allows you to return home after a day of sessions, giving you the chance to maintain your responsibilities outside of therapy.
It’s really keen how they go out of their way to make sure you’re able to access their facility. They have wheelchairs available if you have trouble walking or standing. There’s also transportation via VA vans and shuttles. That way, you’ll be able to make your appointments on time.
So what happens when you get there? This location doesn’t just treat alcohol and drug misuse, though, they also offer dual diagnosis treatment. Mental health can often correlate with addiction, especially with those who have experienced lots of trauma in their life, such as veterans. Some common conditions treated include anxiety and depression disorders, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
It’s unclear whether the service is offered here, but many VA clinics offer medication-assisted treatment (MAT), which can make a huge difference when attempting to detox in a safe manner. Sometimes detoxing can be a dangerous venture, especially if the addiction has gotten severe. This is why this service is so important.
Many veterans clinics also provide health maintenance services and community support, as well as specialized services for women and members of the LGBTQ+ community. This may include hormone therapy, therapy for military sexual trauma, and maternity care.
The main service you’ll want to focus on is their counseling. They may offer options such as individual counseling, group therapy, and marriage or relationship counseling. This covers a lot of ground, since you’ll learn how to pinpoint specific triggers, learn coping skills, and deal with past trauma.