A veterans treatment court in Butte-Silver Bow County was recently awarded $999,984 by The United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, and for good reason. The veterans treatment court in Butte-Silver Bow County is a step in the right direction for veterans living with substance use disorder, PTSD, and other serious mental illnesses. Treatment courts are found in many counties, but with this recent big funding, there’s hope these types of programs will continue to expand nationwide.

What is Veterans Treatment Court?

Treatment courts are an integral part of the justice system. These treatment courts, like mental health treatment court or addiction treatment court, can be a great tool for people who find themselves in legal trouble due to their addiction or mental health issues. Usually, there are several qualifications for people enrolling in treatment court. These often include:

  • No violent offenses
  • Willingness to comply with court-ordered treatment
  • Proven military service (for veterans treatment court)
  • Willingness to get a formal diagnosis or history of mental health disorder
  • Agreement to comply with court-ordered probation terms

The Butte-Silver Bow County veteran’s treatment court makes several exceptions to these. For instance, they do allow veterans convicted of DUI, robbery, and domestic violence to enroll in their treatment court program.

Of these qualifications, perhaps the most important is the willingness to comply and participate in court-ordered treatment. While veterans treatment court is an amazing opportunity to clear someone’s record and reduce or eliminate jail time, it is often intensive. Inpatient treatment or intensive outpatient treatment (IOP), medication adherence, and check-ins with probation officers play a big role in treatment court.

Veterans and Legal Issues

Studies on veterans and legal issues show that 31% of veterans have been arrested at some point in their life compared with only 18% of non-veterans. But why is there such a big difference in legal issues? Perhaps one of the most obvious issues is the prevalence of PTSD in Veterans. In addition to PTSD, substance use disorder among veterans can also lead to legal issues. When combined, these two conditions can significantly increase the likelihood of involvement with the criminal justice system.

Veterans Treatment Court, Addiction, and PTSD

In Montana, Judge Jerome McCarthy spearheaded the veterans treatment court program to help break the cycle of addiction stemming from PTSD and other issues. A U.S. Air Force veteran himself, Judge McCarthy acknowledges that issues veterans face while in the military can be difficult to process.

For veterans integrating back into civilian life, getting treatment for PTSD should be a priority. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Issues like housing, job stability, income stability, and the culture shock of returning home might put PTSD on the back burner. This has disastrous consequences. Recent statistics from the Department of Veterans Affairs show that 2 out of 10 veterans with PTSD also have substance use disorder. In addition, almost 1 out of 3 veterans seeking addiction treatment also have PTSD.

How Veterans Treatment Court Can Help

Veterans treatment court prioritizes treatment for mental health issues and addiction, rather than jail time. In jail, there are little to no treatment options for those struggling with a substance use disorder. While jail might be a temporary solution, it does not address the root causes of addiction, such as untreated PTSD.

Veterans treatment court offers an alternative to incarceration and focuses on addressing underlying issues that may be contributing to criminal issues. This includes providing access to mental health services, substance abuse treatment programs, and other resources designed specifically for veterans.

The goal of veterans treatment court is not only to help individuals overcome their legal issues but also to support them in their journey towards recovery and reintegration into civilian life. By addressing the underlying issues of PTSD and substance use disorder, veterans have a better chance at breaking the cycle of addiction and avoiding future involvement with the criminal justice system. The funding for the Butte-Silver Bow County veterans treatment court will be used over the next 4 years to expand services to veterans. There is hope that this program will be able to make a significant impact in the lives of veterans struggling with addiction and mental health issues.

Other Addiction Treatment Options for Veterans

Not everyone will qualify for veterans treatment court. This includes people with certain offenses and, of course, veterans not involved in the criminal justice system. Fortunately, there are plenty of other addiction treatment options for veterans and people with substance use disorder.

Addiction treatment for veterans will often include dual-diagnosis treatment. This type of treatment is designed to treat both underlying issues of addiction, like PTSD, depression, anxiety, and mental health issues, along with the addiction itself. Instead of waiting for someone to detox and get sober first, this type of treatment allows people to get the help they need for substance use disorder right away. Other options for veterans and those looking for addiction treatment include:

  • Inpatient treatment and detox
  • Outpatient treatment
  • Intensive outpatient treatment
  • Medication-assisted treatment
  • Sober living
  • Psychotherapy (individual and group)
  • Sober meetings like NA or AA

Resources like housing, help with job searching and education, peer support, mental health care, and more are also available to veterans through the VA. In addition, there are many non-profit organizations that offer free or low-cost addiction treatment for veterans.

Find Addiction Treatment for Veterans Today

While the challenges of addiction and involvement with the criminal justice system may seem insurmountable for some veterans, there is hope. With programs like the Butte-Silver Bow County veterans treatment court and other addiction treatment options available, veterans can receive the support and help they need to overcome their struggles with substance use disorder.

Addiction Programs is here to provide support, resources, and a caring consultant to aid in your recovery journey. Our search tool allows you to find the right programs in your state to help you or a loved one get the treatment and support they need. No one should have to face addiction alone, especially our brave veterans who have served our country. If you or someone you know is a veteran struggling with addiction, reach out for help with one of our caring consultants today.