South Bexar County VA Clinic

About South Bexar County VA Clinic – San Antonio

The South Bexar outpatient clinic is part of the South Texas Veterans Affairs Health care system. This clinic offers mental health assessments, treatment and referrals for veterans in San Antonio. If you are struggling with substance abuse, this clinic can perform an evaluation and offer counseling. They’ll also refer you to other community treatment options if needed.

They also have an online self-help portal. You can use those online tools to manage your anger, build parenting skills, learn different coping strategies and how to resolve problems and more. This portal offers tools based on proven best practices for mental health. There is no cost to use the portal. You also don’t have to sign in or disclose any personal information to use it.

Another tool that VA healthcare offers is the VA telemental health program. This lets you connect with a VA mental health provider from your computer or mobile device allowing you to get support from wherever you are.

I really like that VA Health Care offers a peer assistance program called BeThere. If you’re a service member or a spouse of one, you can talk to peer coaches who are veterans, service members or military spouses. This service is confidential, free and available 24/7 all year.

Online reviews about the service providers at this clinic are mostly positive. But some reviewers complained about how hard it is to get a hold of the clinic on the phone. Many state that they waited on hold for a long time, got hung up on while being transferred or that they only got automated messages.

Addiction Treatments

Levels of Care

12-Step

12 step programs such as Alcoholics or Narcotics Anonymous are support group style programs for individuals who are experiencing alcohol or substance use disorder. At Evoke they use a holistic model of addiction care that includes using 12 step programs. These programs are an integral part of most relapse prevention plans and provide continued support and accountability that support sobriety.

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.

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).

Staff

Julianne Flynn, MD

Executive Director

John Mendoza

Deputy Medical Center Director

Heather Yun, MD, FACP, FIDSA

Chief of Staff

Eleanor Milo, DNP, RN, CENP, NEA-BC

Associate Director for Patient Care Services

Shane Soto, MHA

Associate Director for Resources

Adam Bernal

Associate Director for Operations

Melissa Pineda-Sanchez

Acting Assistant Director

About South Bexar County VA Clinic – San Antonio

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