Southern Arizona VA Health Care System

About Southern Arizona VA Health Care System – Tucson

The Tucson VA Medical Center operates under the greater Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System located in Tucson, Arizona. This is a full service medical center that offers round the clock care to veterans and their families.

If you’re struggling with a substance abuse disorder or have a co-occurring mental health condition, you’ll find comprehensive treatment here. Services include detox, medication assisted treatment (MAT), inpatient treatment, and outpatient services. They accept VA benefits here.

Their services extend beyond just addressing the needs of veterans. Family members are equally valued as well, whether you have a family member who’s receiving care or a loved one who’s there to offer moral support and encouragement. One way they support families is through their lodging options on campus. Family can stay here free of charge while you receive inpatient medical treatment.

Transportation services are also available to help you and your family members get to and from the clinic as well.

As a full scale medical facility, you’ll find that the services here are approached from a clinical perspective. Counseling is coupled with MAT if necessary, and integrative healthcare will be a part of your treatment process too.

There is a primary care department on site and your treatment plan might include guidance from your VA primary health care provider or behavioral health specialists through the mental health department.

This type of collaborative care helps to address your addiction struggles from all facets of your health profile, not just your substance abuse recovery needs.

As a larger medical campus, you’ll have the benefit of easy access to a variety of specialized services. For example, there are services for homeless vets, vets who’ve endured trauma including sexual abuse, women, and those who are members of the LGBTQ community. There are many other specialized services here and your recovery team can deter

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.

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.

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

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

Jennifer S. Gutowski, MHA, FACHE

Director

John B. Kettelle, MD

Chief of Staff

Maria Nguyen, MPH, FACHE

Associate Director

Jennifer K. Wasielewski, RN, BSN, MBA

Assistant Director

Curtis Cornelius, DDS

Deputy Chief of Staff

Cassandra A. Valdez, DNP, MHA, BSN, RN

Associate Director of Patient Care Services

Anna R. Bourguet, DNP, RN

Deputy Associate Director of Patient Care Services

Accreditations

Level of Care

Therapies

Specialty Programs

Insurance

Exploring Top Holistic Recovery Methods at ATS

Addictions

Payment Options