About Erie VA Medical Center
Erie VA Medical Center is a Veteran focused substance use treatment program in Erie, Pennsylvania, offering addiction and behavioral health care within a full-service VA medical center.
The facility provides a continuum that includes same day evaluation, standard and intensive outpatient care and an integrated residential rehabilitation program.
Care is tailored to Veterans and addresses substance use alongside co-occurring mental health needs.
Addiction Treatment Programs at Erie VA Medical Center
Treatment often begins with a walk-in drug or alcohol evaluation, available through the behavioral health call center and offered same-day at the Behavioral Health Clinic in Building 8.
From there, Veterans may enter SUD standard outpatient or SUD intensive outpatient services, with a CARF-accredited residential rehabilitation program available for higher-level needs.
Clients can expect individual and group therapy delivered by a team experienced in Veteran care.
Services integrate substance use disorder treatment with support for PTSD, anxiety, military sexual trauma recovery and other psychiatric concerns, alongside whole health and tobacco cessation resources.
Quick Facts About Erie VA Medical Center
- Location: Erie, Pennsylvania, at East 38th Street and Old French Road
- Levels of care: Same-day evaluation, standard outpatient, intensive outpatient and residential rehabilitation
- Who they treat: Veterans with substance use and co-occurring mental health conditions
- Approach: Integrated SUD and mental health care, individual and group therapy and whole health services
- Accreditation: CARF-accredited Psychosocial Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program
- Additional services: Tobacco cessation, PTSD and MST support, suicide prevention and social work
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Other Forms of Payment
Self-pay involves paying for treatment out of your own pocket. You can use savings or credit, get a personal loan, or receive help from family and friends to fund your treatment. If you don't have insurance or your insurance plan doesn't cover a specific program, self-pay can help ensure you still get the care you need.
Military members, veterans, and eligible dependents have access to specific insurance programs that help them get the care they need. TRICARE and VA insurance can help you access low cost or no cost addiction and mental health treatment. Programs that accept military insurance often have targeted treatment focused on the unique challenges military members, veterans, and their families face.
Financial aid can take many forms. Centers may have grants or scholarships available to clients who meet eligibility requirements. Programs that receive SAMHSA grants may have financial aid available for those who need treatment as well. Grants and scholarships can help you pai for treatment without having to repay.
Medicaid is a state based program that helps lower-income individuals and families pay for healthcare. Medicaid covers addiction treatment so those enrolled can use their coverage to pay for rehab. When a program accepts Medicaid the client often pays very little or nothing out of their own pocket.
Medicare is a federal program that provides health insurance for those 65 and older. It also serves people under 65 with chronic and disabling health challenges. To use Medicare for addiction treatment you need to find a program that accepts Medicare and is in network with your plan. Out of pocket costs and preauthorization requirements vary, so always check with your provider.
Addiction Treatments
Levels of Care
Outpatient Programs (OP) are for those seeking mental rehab or drug rehab, but who also stay at home every night. The main difference between outpatient treatment (OP) and intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) lies in the amount of hours the patient spends at the facility. Most of the time an outpatient program is designed for someone who has completed an inpatient stay and is looking to continue their growth in recovery. Outpatient is not meant to be the starting point, it is commonly referred to as aftercare.
Intervention services bring extensive experience to the planning and conducting of drug interventions in Pennsylvania. These experts can facilitate interventions in a sensitive manner that encourages positive outcomes. The goal of the intervention is to educate the individual about addiction and the consequences of their substance use and encourage them to get the treatment they need. Interventions can be effective with all types of drugs and alcohol addiction.
Because the severity of withdrawal symptoms can fluctuate, constant monitoring under 24-hour clinical care in Pennsylvania is recommended for early recovery. As you undergo detox, medical staff will supervise your health and ensure severe symptoms do not develop or threaten your life. Professional counselors will also be available to treat mental and emotional health needs.
Treatments
The goal of treatment for alcoholism is abstinence. Those with poor social support, poor motivation, or psychiatric disorders tend to relapse within a few years of treatment. For these people, success is measured by longer periods of abstinence, reduced use of alcohol, better health, and improved social functioning. Recovery and Maintenance are usually based on 12 step programs and AA meetings.
Drug rehab in Pennsylvania is devoted to the treatment of addiction. Levels of care, treatment methods, and settings differ, but the aim of each program is to end drug dependency and empower participants to achieve long-term recovery.
Many of those suffering from addiction also suffer from mental or emotional illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety disorders. Rehab and other substance abuse facilities treating those with a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder administer psychiatric treatment to address the person's mental health issue in addition to drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
A combined mental health and substance abuse rehab has the staff and resources available to handle individuals with both mental health and substance abuse issues. It can be challenging to determine where a specific symptom stems from (a mental health issue or an issue related to substance abuse), so mental health and substance abuse professionals are helpful in detangling symptoms and keeping treatment on track.
Opioid rehabs specialize in supporting those recovering from opioid addiction. They treat those suffering from addiction to illegal opioids like heroin, as well as prescription drugs like oxycodone. These centers typically combine both physical as well as mental and emotional support to help stop addiction. Physical support often includes medical detox and subsequent medical support (including medication), and mental support includes in-depth therapy to address the underlying causes of addiction.
Programs
Adult rehab programs include therapies tailored to each client's specific needs, goals, and recovery progress. They are tailored to the specific challenges adult clients may face, including family and work pressures and commitments. From inpatient and residential treatment to various levels of outpatient services, there are many options available. Some facilities also help adults work through co-occurring conditions, like anxiety, that can accompany addiction.
Young adulthood can be an exciting, yet difficult, time of transition. Individuals in their late teens to mid-20s face unique stressors related to school, jobs, families, and social circles, which can lead to a rise in substance use. Rehab centers with dedicated young adult programs will include activities and amenities that cater to this age group, with an emphasis on specialized counseling, peer socialization, and ongoing aftercare.
The Erie VAMC is committed to providing top quality care to all Veterans including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Veterans. They recognize that diverse populations have distinctive needs and are training their staff in culturally and clinically-competent care for LGBT Veterans. They are focused on providing the most respectful health care environment possible.
Clinical Services
Group therapy is any therapeutic work that happens in a group (not one-on-one). There are a number of different group therapy modalities, including support groups, experiential therapy, psycho-education, and more. Group therapy involves treatment as well as processing interaction between group members.
Whether a marriage or other committed relationship, an intimate partnership is one of the most important aspects of a person's life. Drug and alcohol addiction affects both members of a couple in deep and meaningful ways, as does rehab and recovery. Couples therapy and other couples-focused treatment programs are significant parts of exploring triggers of addiction, as well as learning how to build healthy patterns to support ongoing sobriety.
In individual therapy, a patient meets one-on-one with a trained psychologist or counselor. Therapy is a pivotal part of effective substance abuse treatment, as it often covers root causes of addiction, including challenges faced by the patient in their social, family, and work/school life.
Research clearly demonstrates that recovery is far more successful and sustainable when loved ones like family members participate in rehab and substance abuse treatment. Genetic factors may be at play when it comes to drug and alcohol addiction, as well as mental health issues. Family dynamics often play a critical role in addiction triggers, and if properly educated, family members can be a strong source of support when it comes to rehabilitation.
Trauma therapy addresses traumatic incidents from a client's past that are likely affecting their present-day experience. Trauma is often one of the primary triggers and potential causes of addiction, and can stem from child sexual abuse, domestic violence, having a parent with a mental illness, losing one or both parents at a young age, teenage or adult sexual assault, or any number of other factors. The purpose of trauma therapy is to allow a patient to process trauma and move through and past it, with the help of trained and compassionate mental health professionals.
The goal of nutrition therapy is to help you understand how your diet affects your overall health. It teaches you healthy eating habits, which speed up your recovery and give you the nutrients you need for long term physical and mental health.
Incorporating recreational therapy into drug and alcohol addiction programs in Pennsylvania helps you rebuild your life and maintain sobriety by discovering new interests and developing healthy coping mechanisms. Recreational activities can include painting, team sports, and hiking to promote physical and mental health.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is a way of getting nicotine into the bloodstream without smoking. It uses products that supply low doses of nicotine to help people stop smoking. The goal of therapy is to cut down on cravings for nicotine and ease the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.
Amenities
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Private Transportation
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Yoga Studio
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Wifi
Staff & Accreditations
Staff
John A. Gennaro
Medical Center Director
Rickey A. Harris, Jr.
Associate Medical Center Director
Borys Loza, MD
Chief of Staff
Dorene M. Sommers, RN, BSN, MBA, VHA-CM
Associate Director, Patient Care Services
Accreditations
The Joint Commission, formerly known as JCAHO, is a nonprofit organization that accredits rehab organizations and programs. Founded in 1951, the Joint Commision's mission is to improve the quality of patient care and demonstrating the quality of patient care.
Joint Commission Accreditation: Yes
Accreditation Number: 2374
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Established in 1992 by congress, SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on American's communities.
SAMHSA Listed: Yes
Rehab.com regularly reviews this listing for accuracy but changes may occur between updates. For the most up-to-date information, please contact Erie VA Medical Center.
Contact Information
135 East 38th Street
Erie, PA 16504
















































































