Courtesy photo Residential Treatment Facility staff pictured left to right: Michael Allmeter; Lynda Walker, PNA; Donna Borden, RN; Lt. Lloyd Lozada, RN. To better meet the needs of our Soldiers, Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center’s Behavioral Health Department has opened a Residential Treatment Facility for the intensive inpatient treatment of alcohol and drug problems.

Data from the National Comorbidity Survey indicated that 35.8% of combat veterans met criteria for a substance use disorder. Research has indicated that 20% to 35% of Soldiers and Marines answered “yes” when asked if “you had used more alcohol than you meant to” or if you “felt you wanted or needed to cut down on your drinking.” Research has also indicated that there is a high rate of alcohol misuse following combat and its comorbidity with post traumatic stress disorder and relationship problems.

Brig. Gen. W. Bryan Gamble DDEAMC Commanding General The RTF is opened to all service members within the Southeast Regional Medical Command. It is an intensive four to six week inpatient program geared towards treating patients with substance addictions and co-occurring disorders that are chronic, progressive, severe, and potentially lifethreatening. Substance dependence and co-occurring problems are classified as psychiatric disorders and are treated by licensed clinical providers who specialize in addictions and behavioral health. The inpatient substance addiction treatment is an interdisciplinary program with military and civilian personnel that is managed 24 hours a day, seven days a week with nursing and medical care available on the ward.

Many service members who will come to the program for treatment have used a variety of mood altering substances such as alcohol, amphetamines, cocaine, or prescription drug abuse. The program provides effective treatment to give the service member the opportunity to change his/her lifestyle to improve their chances for recovery. The program is unique in that it offers individualized care and patients participate in formulating their treatment goals and objectives.

Admissions to the facility are normally made on Mondays. Every service member must be in uniform and be accompanied by a representative of his or her command. The representative of the service member’s command is also expected to return at the end of the program to attend and participate in the commencement exercise.

All program participants are treated by a comprehensive interdisciplinary team consisting of a full time Medical Director (Military Psychiatrist), Clinical Director, Clinical Psychologist, Psychiatric Nurse, Noncommissioned Officer in Charge, Chaplain (Military), Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Psychiatric Nurse Assistants, Occupational and Recreational Therapists, and Behavioral Health Specialists (Military).

Current state of the art evidenced based treatment is as an approach in dealing with addictions and it consists of individual and group counseling, classroom instruction, video classes, the 12- Step Recovery Model and attendance in community Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings.

The RTF recognizes that addiction is a disease that is treatable and one that also also affects the Family. The program offers an intensive one-week Family program during the last week of treatment. This allows the service member’s spouse to attend and participate in treatment. Couples are also encouraged to attend and participate in a Marital Retreat.

Overall, recovery depends on how much effort the service member puts into the treatment. The staff encourages all participants to take their recovery treatment seriously; but only the service member can decide to actively work on recovery.

If you would like more information about Eisenhower’s Residential Treatment Facility, please call (706) 787-6377.

DDEAMC November Health Observances

Warrior Care Month,
Diabetes Awareness
Month, Alzheimer's
Disease Awareness,
Lung Cancer Awareness

Upcoming Events

Residential Treatment Facility Ribbon Cutting November 2 2:00 p.m., EAMC 12W

Great American Smoke-out November 19

Comments, questions or article suggestions? E-mail us at: ikeshealthnet@amedd.army.mil