New Addiction Program Added for Active Duty Military

Active Duty Military Can Now Be Treated for Addiction

The Roxbury Treatment Center in Pennsylvania believes its new inpatient chemical dependency program for active duty military will fill a vital need in the region. The new program consists of opiate detox, rehabilitation, and mental health treatment. It focuses on reintegration, combat stress and relapse prevention.

Franklin County in Pennsylvania is close to many large and small military bases, but active duty military seeking help at a drug treatment center often have to travel a considerable distance to get such services.

"They’re realizing they don’t have to send soldiers three states away, so the family doesn’t have to travel hours to see them," said Christina Sledzinski, director of business operations for Roxbury Treatment Center. "Having a program closer to family is definitely a beneficial feature."

Sledzinski said the military discovered there was a need outside of its own programs. The military is now looking into contracting with local private hospitals. Roxbury Treatment Center had previously worked with a local Army base. Following a recent building expansion, the drug treatment center had the beds and the space available for a program targeted toward active duty military.

The drug treatment center accepted its first patients in June. The 28-day inpatient program is designed for the active duty and reserve and national guard soldiers. The drug treatment program was designed to offer the optimum treatment for military men and women who may be struggling with drug and alcohol abuse.

Jeremy Hicks heads the program at the Roxbury Treatment Center and said that while anyone can struggle with addiction, those in the military are more likely to be exposed to combat and other stressors. That, combined with absences from family and friends, only adds to a bad situation.

"It is important to have places where service members can go to deal with substance use and mental health issues, so they can begin the healing process and return to duty in the shape they want and need to be in to be effective in their profession," said Hicks. "It is important to remember that these brave men and women are not immune to these issues and deserve the very best care available to help them recover."

Hicks spent eight years in the Army in a variety of active duty and reserve time. He believes that his own experience in military service offers him a unique perspective to help others.

"My experience of being in the military helps me speak the lingo of the service members and have some first-hand knowledge of what they are dealing with. However, each service member’s experience is unique and my experience cannot and is not the be-all, end-all. It is up to us to find out how each person’s experiences have affected them and go from there."