Malcom Randall Veterans Affairs Medical Center

About Malcom Randall Veterans Affairs Medical Center – Gainesville

Malcolm Randall Veterans Affairs Medical Center offers drug rehab services and other services to veterans who are living in and around Gainesville, Florida. They treat drug addictions, alcohol addictions and dual diagnosis conditions, which means anyone who suffers from co-occurring mental health conditions. I was very impressed with the range of levels of care offered here, which aren’t always offered at every VA clinic. They offer residential rehab care, ambulatory detox, intensive outpatient care and regular outpatient care.

Their focus on dual diagnosis is a crucial feature since veterans often struggle with both mental illness and addiction after returning home from their time on active duty. It’s common for veterans to suffer from depression, anxiety or PTSD. This dual approach addresses any substance use and mental health disorders concurrently, for optimal results.

They also offer medication assisted treatment (MAT) in their detox program. When addiction has gotten out of control, sometimes MAT is needed to ensure that the detox process is safe. Some withdrawal symptoms may cause dangerous effects, and these medications such as Vivitrol and Suboxone can greatly reduce the intensity of withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

Their services also extend to providing specialized programs for those who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. This may include hormone therapy. They also have special programs for minorities and women, including military sexual trauma care and maternity care. On top of this, you’ll find health maintenance services, community support and counseling services.

Their counseling services include individual therapy, group therapy and marriage or relationship counseling. All of these can drastically help you on your journey to sobriety by helping you identify triggers and deal with trauma.

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.

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.

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.

Sober Living Homes

Sober Living Houses (SLHs), aka sober homes or halfway houses, are safe, substance-free, supportive living facilities for those recovering from substance abuse. Ideal for those who've just been through inpatient or outpatient treatment, SLHs are supervised environments with rules that support sobriety, such as curfews, shared chores, and therapeutic meetings. Residents are also often trained on life skills and coping skills to make it easier to transition into society. SLHs also provide a strong sense of community that can lead to the kind of deep and lasting connections with other sober individuals that supports a new, healthy lifestyle.

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

Wende Dottor

Executive Health System Director

Chad Adams

Deputy Executive Health System Director

Ilona Schmalfuss, MD

Chief of Staff

Tenna Liston, MSN, RN

Associate Director, Patient Care Services

Stephen Dotts

Associate Director of Operations

Josh Pridgen

Associate Director

James David Waller, MD, FACC

Deputy Chief of Staff

Brian Dyer

Assistant Director

About Malcom Randall Veterans Affairs Medical Center – Gainesville

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