VA Central Iowa Health Care System

About VA Central Iowa Health Care System – Des Moines

Des Moines VA Medical Center is a veterans addiction treatment center located in Des Moines, Iowa. They provide outpatient treatment for veterans who struggle with overcoming their alcohol or drug addictions.

They are also a dual diagnosis center that seeks to treat co-occurring mental health conditions that may plague their patients including depression, anxiety, PTSD and schizophrenia. It’s not limited to these conditions, though. They can treat any mental illness that is preventing you from reaching the sober life you want.

This is an outpatient clinic so patients who participate in this program will have the benefit of returning home after sessions or keeping their work or outside obligations. They also offer medication assisted treatment (MAT) for veterans trying to detox without dealing too much with bad withdrawal symptoms or cravings. This clinic has specialized services for members of the LGBTQ+ community and offers health maintenance and community support.

Their outpatient program offers individual therapy, group counseling and marriage or relationship counseling. Let’s start with individual therapy. This counseling service lets you meet with a professional therapist who can help you identify your triggers, figure out coping strategies that work for you to prevent relapse and deal with all the overall trauma that may be in your life.

Veterans often have suffered trauma from their military experience so this is an important addition to their services. Group therapy helps you relate to others that are in a similar situation and can help you learn from those peers and maybe even teach them something from your experience.

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.

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.

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