VA JOINT AMBULATORY CARE CENTER

About VA JOINT AMBULATORY CARE CENTER – Pensacola

Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System – Joint Ambulatory Care Center in Pensacola, Florida, offers primary care, laboratory services and mental healthcare. Their mental health services are provided in an outpatient setting and aim to help those who serve to lead fulfilling lives and achieve long-term stability.

The facility can help you recover from the most common mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, trauma, PTSD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and OCD. Addiction and substance use disorder is also part of this condition. Their outpatient substance abuse and mental health treatment involves consultation, clinical evaluation and assessment as well as group and individual counseling.

The counseling sessions can help veterans identify the root cause of the psychiatric challenges fueling their addiction, develop robust coping strategies against such triggers, rebuild self-esteem, and foster healthier relationships for long-term recovery.

Emphasis is on fast-tracking recovery from unhealthy alcohol and life-threatening drug addiction as well as mental health problems. In addition, the facility may treat co-occurring disorders which is when a person suffers from substance use disorder and mental health issues at the same time.

Most often, veterans struggling with mental health conditions like PTSD due to past combat missions may take to drugs and alcohol to cope with such situations. Over time, they become addicted to these substances, worsening their mental health and making recovery even more challenging. Through co-occurring treatment, veterans can address both their substance use and mental health issues simultaneously, leading to a more comprehensive and effective recovery.

One great thing about this facility is that they offer same-day assistance and may allow walk-ins, especially for emergency health services. It’s also possible to receive treatment if you’re not enrolled in the VA health care system.

The best part is that they accept multiple insurance options, including Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE, as well as various private insurance plans. If uninsured, you can pay out of pocket in person, online, by phone or via mail. Financial aid is also available via VA financial hardship assistance to help you fund your treatment if you cannot. In essence, funding your treatment in this facility is hassle-free.

Past clients seem to have had mixed experiences with this facility. Most criticized the overall quality of services, citing staff’s unprofessionalism and poor customer service, while some praised the facility for efficient and quality care, citing their competent and friendly staff.

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).

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.

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

Alcoholism Drug Addiction Mental Health and Substance Abuse

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

Stephanie A. Repasky, Psy.D

Medical Center Director

Rebecca Strini

Associate Medical Center Director

Deatosha Haynes

Associare Director of Patient Care Services

Edivaldo Anjos, MHSA,ACHE

Associate Director of Outpatient Operations

Accreditations

About VA JOINT AMBULATORY CARE CENTER – Pensacola

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