JBSA-Fort Sam Houston –
Overcoming addictions is the mission of the new program on
San Antonio Military Medical Center’s 7 West.
Called the Substance Use Disorder Residential Treatment
Program, unit chief Army Maj. Sandra Shelmerdine explained that the RTP is a
rigorous six-week program designed to help patients overcome their addictions
to alcohol or illicit drugs.
The program will not only better serve our active duty
patients, but will bring patient care back into the San Antonio Military
Medical Center, which had often been referred out to local facilities.
The program is open to all active duty service members and
activated National Guard and reservists who are eligible to receive military
medical services. Patients must have a primary diagnosis of a substance use
disorder and be enrolled in the Army Substance Abuse Program or service branch equivalent.
Patients were going out to the network, Shelmerdine
explained. “We felt, as a military program, we can better work with service
members to reintegrate them back into their units.”
“We have a program that utilizes evidence-based practices
such as cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational enhancements,” Shelmerdine said. “Occupational and recreational therapy adds a unique aspect
to the program.”
Patients do make daily trips off the ward to perform
physical training, attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and participate in
other community reintegration outings such as golf, bowling, horseback riding
and some chaplain-sponsored outdoor activities, such as a trip to Canyon Lake.
“We apply an
integrated treatment model consisting of social work, occupational therapy,
nursing, recreational therapy and psychiatric services,” said Patricia Shaw,
clinical program manager. More than 30 medical professional staff make up the
entire team including psychiatric/psychological technicians.
“While substance use disorders is the primary focus of treatment,
patients can also receive treatment for other co-occurring psychiatric
disorders,” Shaw said. “The treatment and skills provided along with the unique
aspects of our program will enhance their recovery.”
The vision of the RTP is to become military medicine’s
leader in supporting service members along their journey to recovery from
alcohol and other drug addiction.