It’s Not Always Easy to Ask for Help
Sometimes, we suspect we need help, but we are reluctant to ask for it. There may be many potential reasons for that reluctance, most of them related to how we see ourselves and how we would like others to see us.
Maybe we are worried that people will look down on us if we admit weakness. Maybe we are concerned that our self-image will take a hit if we admit to needing help. Maybe we just think that whatever problem we are facing right now will go away on its own if we just wait patiently enough and don’t call attention to ourselves.
This reluctance to ask for help is common among veterans. As a result, many individuals who have served our country find themselves struggling and isolated.
But what if there was a way to get a sense of how significant a problem might be before you have to discuss it with anyone else?
It turns out that there is now a way to do just that—thanks to new screening tools available on the VA website.
Get a Clearer Picture of Where You Stand
The VA offers four screening options—PTSD screening, depression screening, substance abuse screening, and alcohol use screening. Though each of these is a valuable tool that can help you determine if you should seek out help, for our purposes here we will focus on substance abuse and alcohol use screening.
If you are concerned that you may be developing a problems with drugs or alcohol, these screenings can give you a baseline sense of where you stand right now. Each screening involves a simple series of questions and can be completed in just a few minutes. The results are tabulated automatically, and you are provided with report detailing what your answers indicate about your use of drugs or alcohol.
You might be hesitant to answer such personal questions online. That is an understandable concern. And we have good news: the entire screening process is confidential. None of your information is collected, stored, or sent over the internet to anyone else. This allows you to use the VA’s screening tools without fear that someone else will see your results. The information you receive is for your eyes only—and is intended to help you make the best decisions for yourself.
The Next Step Is Getting Help
If your results show a cause for concern, it is time to swallow your pride and to reach out to the VA for help. While this step may be challenging for many, it is absolutely essential to your long term wellbeing.
So, if you are a veteran struggling with a substance use disorder, Twin Lakes Recovery Center can provide expert care that can help you regain your sobriety. We are a PsychArmor certified facility—which means we have specialized training in helping veterans who are battling dependence on drugs or alcohol. We are also part of the VA’s Community Care Network.
Because of these certifications and partnerships, you can be confident that you will receive respectful, evidence based care at Twin Lakes Recovery Center. We are grateful for every veteran’s service—and equally grateful to have the opportunity to provide exceptional care to some of our nation’s heroes.
We understand that asking for help can be difficult. That is why the VA’s screening tools can make such a huge difference in the lives of the veteran community by giving vets the chance to learn more about their situation privately before moving on to the next steps. In the end, any tool that helps veterans overcome substance use disorders is a good thing.
We Are Here to Serve You
The staff at Twin Lakes Recovery Center is committed to helping those with substance use disorders successfully complete detox and rehab so that they can begin their recovery journey with confidence. Treatment at Twin Lakes will include individual and group therapy sessions that can help you learn and develop the strategies you will need to maintain your hard won sobriety over time.
We can also help you address any co-occurring mental health disorders—like depression, anxiety, or trauma based disorders—that may be contributing to your difficulties with drugs or alcohol. Sobriety and good mental health go hand in hand, so we are committed to helping you make significant and lasting progress in both areas.
At Twin Lakes, we are equally committed to a continuum of care following your treatment—meaning you will continue to have access to our resources and support during the early days of your recovery journey.
