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Relapse Prevention for Veterans in California

Serving those who have served our nation.

Our relapse prevention services provide transitional care to veterans and active-duty military personnel as they rebuild their lives on the path to recovery from substance abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders.  

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Understanding Sustained Sobriety 

Sustained sobriety or sustained recovery refers to the ongoing abstinence from one’s substance of choice over an extended period of time. It goes beyond simply quitting physical use, but achieving a balanced, fulfilling life free from the grips of addiction. It is a long-term commitment and lifestyle that includes managing cravings, relying on peer support, avoiding relapse, and fostering overall well-being. 

Sustained sobriety is a lifelong journey that requires physical abstinence from the drug, emotional maturity, accountability, and mental resilience. Achieving sustained sobriety for veterans often requires a combination of:

  • Trauma-informed care and staff with lived experience who understand the unique needs of those suffering from military and combat trauma, operational stress, and military sexual trauma.
  • Strong support networks and peer groups tailored for veterans, such as VetChange or veteran-specific 12-step programs.
  • Engagement in personalized, long-term recovery plans that address both addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders.
  • Emotional awareness and regulation skills are fostered through therapies such as  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).

What is Relapse Prevention?

Relapse prevention is a cognitive-behavioral, skills-based approach designed to increase the likelihood of long-term recovery in those recovering from addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders. Programs help patients identify triggers, manage social and emotional distress, plan for unexpected challenges, and build confidence in their ability to resist urges. 

Effective relapse prevention programs often offer a combination of:

  • Substance abuse counseling and evidence-based mental health therapies
  • Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)
  • Trauma-informed care
  • Flexible outpatient treatment
  • Peer support groups 
  • Case management services
  • Integrated wellness activities
  • Alumni network

The Goal of Relapse Prevention in Addiction Recovery

The goal of relapse prevention in addiction recovery is to support long-term sobriety and sustainable healing by helping clients:

1. Identify Triggers
  • Recognize high-risk situations
  • Identify people, places, or memories that cause distress
  • Stress management, such as breathwork,  yoga, mindfulness, and sensory soothing
  • Crisis management or a safety plan that includes resources, coping skills, and loved ones to reach out to
  • Family counseling, involving loved ones in the treatment process, and community-based events for families 
  • Peer support groups, veteran-focused 12-step, NA, AA, SMART recovery

1. Identify Triggers

2. Develop Coping Skills

3. Build a Support System

Recognize high-risk situations

Stress management, such as breathwork,  yoga, mindfulness, and sensory soothing

Family counseling, involving loved ones in the treatment process, and community-based events for families 

Identify people, places, or memories that cause distress

Crisis management or a safety plan that includes resources, coping skills, and loved ones to reach out to

Peer support groups, veteran-focused 12-step, NA, AA, SMART recovery

Why Choose Miramar Health for Relapse Prevention

Case Management and Aftercare Support

Relapse prevention emphasizes the importance of aftercare support through comprehensive case management services. We help veterans transition into lower levels of care to support their long-term recovery, such as intensive outpatient or sober living. Our case management team is dedicated to helping veterans regain their independence, supporting them with issues related to housing, healthcare, and employment.

We provide evidence-based therapies, including CBT, DBT, and EMDR, to help veterans work through triggers, find comfort in shared understanding with others, and learn positive coping skills for stress relief. Clients learn to identify triggers that drive urges for drugs and alcohol, or increase symptoms of mental health problems, and develop positive coping strategies to reduce associated distress.
Relapse prevention focuses on helping clients in recovery build the necessary skills to return to independence, such as updating their resumes, repairing relationships, and managing stress. Through guided workshops, mentorship programs, and skills training—we make it easier for veterans to transition back to civilian life.
A key part of relapse prevention is group therapy and developing a peer support network. Current and former members of the military can find comfort and community with others throughout our programs by sharing and hearing stories of similar experiences. This gives them common ground and can be a powerful method to facilitate healing.

Reclaim Your Mission—Begin Recovery Today 

We are committed to delivering comprehensive aftercare solutions that support your ongoing recovery and reduce the risk of relapse. 

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Why Veterans Need Personalized Support

Treatment tailored for veterans and active-duty military personnel offers a personalized approach that understands the unique challenges faced by those with military experience. This focused care benefits veterans in several ways:

Military Trauma-Informed

Our team of therapists and staff understands the specific kind of trauma and stress that veterans often struggle with, and many members of our team have served in the military themselves.

We approach addiction with the understanding that underlying mental health problems often influence it. Our specialized programs include a blend of holistic treatments that focus on physical, mental, and spiritual healing to treat both substance abuse and mental health challenges.

Clients with military backgrounds are often hesitant to reach out for help or speak with loved ones about their struggles with addiction or mental health stigma. Veteran-specific therapies provide a safe space for sharing experiences, developing positive coping skills, and connecting with others who understand the unique challenges of recovery.

Veteran rehab centers and treatment programs help former military personnel connect with others who have faced similar challenges. This fosters a sense of community, which is essential for successful recovery. Is a common characteristic of those with PTSD as they seek to manage their emotions and thoughts related to their trauma. Often a person may have a co-occurring disorder with mental health issues, causing substance abuse or vice versa. Around 50% of males and 25% of females with chronic PTSD have major problems with alcohol and drugs; the figures for veterans are even higher.

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Veterans Share Their Experiences of Hope and Progress

Terri

Former Client

The Miramar Treatment Program was a life-changing experience for me. To be able to heal in such a beautiful environment, with such a terrific treatment team, was so amazingly positive.

Lauren

Former Client

Miramar’s Integrative program is truly amazing. I’ve never had more clarity or more good energy in my entire life.

Bill

Former Client

The program has given me the tools I needed to turn my life around and most importantly, how to live, happily and free from addiction.

 Insurance Coverage Options for Veterans

At Miramar Health, we believe financial concerns should not be a barrier to recovery. We’re committed to making our comprehensive treatment services accessible to all active-duty personnel, veterans, and their spouses.

We accept the VA-eligible insurance plans, TriWest for veterans and Tricare for active-duty members and families. Our dedicated admission specialists are here to assist you in understanding the details of your coverage and will help you navigate the complex process of insurance claims.

We also accept most major commercial policies

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 Frequently Asked Questions About Relapse Prevention

What kind of services do you offer to prevent relapse?

We help coordinate transition to lower levels of care, such as intensive outpatient (IOP) or sober living homes. Our case management team can also support you with finding employment, finding stable housing, and receiving peer support.

Yes. Miramar Health is a VHA “in-network” Community Care Network (CCN) Provider through TriWest Healthcare Alliance, and we are contracted by them to provide Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Treatment on behalf of every Veterans Affairs Medical Center in CCN Regions 4 and 5. These regions encompass all U.S. states in the Pacific Time Zone, Mountain Time Zone, Alaska, Hawaii, and the U.S. territories of Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Veterans face unique challenges such as PTSD, combat trauma, social isolation, and stressful life events, all of which can trigger relapse. Lack of access to services, trauma-informed care, or dual diagnosis can also trigger relapse.