After over a decade of war in Iraq and Afghanistan, more than 300,000 veterans have been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
PTSD is often accompanied by depression, substance abuse, or other anxiety disorders.
Alcohol abuse is the most prevalent problem, while prescription drug abuse has tripled among US military personnel since 2002.
To begin to address this national imperative, St. Joseph’s Addiction Treatment & Recovery Centers constructed, with funding from New York’s Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS), the Col. C. David Merkel, MD Veterans Residence for the long-term treatment of male veterans who suffer from substance abuse, PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and other co-occurring issues common to those who have served.
Nestled in a forest glade, the 25-bed facility offers a holistic, integrated recovery approach specifically tailored to the needs of veterans. The core of the program focuses on healing the individual as well as assisting in the renewal of the family unit.
Our programs and services are based on an understanding of the vulnerabilities and triggers of military trauma survivors in order to best support our clients in achieving treatment goals without re-traumatization.
The phased program focuses on particular therapeutic objectives as residents work toward their personalized goals while also enjoying a sense of community and closeness that veterans often do not experience when transitioning back into civilian life.
In addition, St. Joseph’s has a strong heritage of encouraging all of their residents to be introduced to and explore their spirituality as one of the most important areas of recovery and well-being.
Medical services, family services, community involvement, vocational and educational guidance, as well as daily living skills and how to enjoy a higher quality of life on a more regular basis are available during the 6-12 month program.
We are an OASAS-licensed, CARF-credentialed program and our qualified and compassionate staff are committed to helping our veterans reach their recovery and reintegration goals.
Individual and Group Counseling:
In-house group and individual counseling is provided by our caring, NYS licensed staff that includes a trauma and resiliency psychologist, Licensed Mental Health Counselors, and Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselors.
Family Services:
Caregivers and family members are an important resource for our veterans’ recovery and we encourage visitation and family participation. Our program provides family services and sessions as well as holiday programming, pot-lucks, and get-togethers.
Off-Site Services:
We’re committed to the preservation and improvement of our resident’s medical and mental health. We gladly provide transportation to off-site services including medical, behavioral, psychiatric, legal, and VA appointments.
Vocational/Reintegration:
Our vocational counselor is dedicated to assisting residents who are interested in finding a part-time job or excited to further their education by attending one of the two colleges in our area. We also offer resource assistance by partnering our residents with other national and local veteran support agencies.
Community/Spiritual Focus:
We encourage our residents to explore their spiritual needs and offer opportunities to give back to the community by volunteering at our local food banks and animal shelter.
Activities:
Our residents participate in many activities both on-site and in the scenic surroundings of the Adirondack Park. Our peaceful and serene grounds offer therapeutic opportunities for our residents to work in our flower beds and a vegetable garden, as well as a zen meditation trail. We also provide off-site therapeutic and team building exercise and outings such as equine therapy, hiking, rock climbing, snow shoeing, and much more.
Hershey:
Our dedicated trauma therapy dog, Hershey, provides countless hours of emotional service and support to our Veterans. Hershey is a one year old Newfoundland, a large breed with an even bigger heart, known for their naturally calm and sweet nature.
