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Malcom Randall Veterans Affairs Medical Center

1601 S.W. Archer Road
Gainesville, FL 32608
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North Florida - South Georgia Veterans Health System - Malcom Randall VAMC FL 32608

About Malcom Randall Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Their focus on dual diagnosis is a crucial feature since veterans often struggle with both mental illness and addiction after returning home from their time on active duty. It’s common for veterans to suffer from depression, anxiety or PTSD. This dual approach addresses any substance use and mental health disorders concurrently, for optimal results.

They also offer medication assisted treatment (MAT) in their detox program. When addiction has gotten out of control, sometimes MAT is needed to ensure that the detox process is safe. Some withdrawal symptoms may cause dangerous effects, and these medications such as Vivitrol and Suboxone can greatly reduce the intensity of withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

Their services also extend to providing specialized programs for those who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. This may include hormone therapy. They also have special programs for minorities and women, including military sexual trauma care and maternity care. On top of this, you’ll find health maintenance services, community support and counseling services.

Their counseling services include individual therapy, group therapy and marriage or relationship counseling. All of these can drastically help you on your journey to sobriety by helping you identify triggers and deal with trauma.

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Fact checked and written by:
Benjamin Cardenas
Edited by:
Kerry Nenn, BSW

Facility Overview

Bed icon 45
Number of Available Beds

Latest Reviews

Original DHS
1 month ago on Google
1
Currently we are treated worse then the discarded waste in a colostomy bag. 22 a day BECAUSE of the VA. The solution is simple. Treat us with the decency the Va staff show their toilet paper. That would be a good start to curving that 22 number down.
James Ponicsan
1 month ago on Google
5
I have been going to the vascular clinic due to chronic venous inefficiency. Yesterday, October 29th 2025, I had surgery to remove a "very bad" vein in my lower right leg. Even though there was a long delay because a pipe had broken in the basement causing electrical issues, everything went exceptionally well. I was treated with kindness and respect the entire time. The nursing staff were all amazing. I can't say enough good things about the anesthesiologist and his assistant. I just wish I could recall their names. They were so good to me and they explained everything they were going to do in great detail. They treated me with great respect. And finally, my surgeon, Dr. Scott Berceli. I could not have possibly been in better hands. He explained the entire procedure and met with my wife while I was in recovery. He explained everything to her as well, including what to do and not do during my recovery period. He is absolutely fantastic. I can not give the entire staff enough praise. From start to finish, it was awesome!
Michele Potter-Grabinski
2 months ago on Google
1
So far the doctors here have treated my husband like his issues are all in his head. He falls daily and this has not been addressed. Hes 47, this shouldn't be happening. Also waiting months for referrals is unacceptable. His issues should not be just put in his chart and forgotten about. This healthcare system is broken and the doctors here do NOT care about their patients. This is unacceptable!! Im pissed and you will soon know just how pissed off I am.
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Rehab Score

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7.3 / 10

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.

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.

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.

Private insurance refers to any kind of healthcare coverage that isn't from the state or federal government. This includes individual and family plans offered by an employer or purchased from the Insurance Marketplace. Every plan will have different requirements and out of pocket costs so be sure to get the full details before you start treatment.

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.

Residential treatment programs are those that offer housing and meals in addition to substance abuse treatment. Rehab facilities that offer residential treatment allow patients to focus solely on recovery, in an environment totally separate from their lives. Some rehab centers specialize in short-term residential treatment (a few days to a week or two), while others solely provide treatment on a long-term basis (several weeks to months). Some offer both, and tailor treatment to the patient's individual requirements.

Intervention services helps family or friends of addicts stage an intervention, which is a meeting in which loved ones share their concerns and attempt to get an addict into treatment. Professional intervention specialists can help loved ones organize, gather, and communicate with an addict. They can guide intervention participants in describing the damage the addict's behavior is causing and that outside help is necessary to address the addiction. The ideal outcome of an intervention is for the addict to go to rehab and get the help they need.

Sober Living Houses (SLHs), aka sober homes or halfway houses, are safe, substance-free, supportive living facilities for those recovering from substance abuse. Ideal for those who've just been through inpatient or outpatient treatment, SLHs are supervised environments with rules that support sobriety, such as curfews, shared chores, and therapeutic meetings. Residents are also often trained on life skills and coping skills to make it easier to transition into society. SLHs also provide a strong sense of community that can lead to the kind of deep and lasting connections with other sober individuals that supports a new, healthy lifestyle.

Completing a drug or alcohol rehab program shouldn't spell the end of substance abuse treatment. Aftercare involves making a sustainable plan for recovery, including ongoing support. This can include sober living arrangements like halfway houses, career counseling, and setting a patient up with community programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA).

Treatments

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.

Mental health rehabs focus on helping individuals recover from mental illnesses like bipolar disorder, clinical depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and more. Mental health professionals at these facilities are trained to understand and treat mental health issues, both in individual and group settings.

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.

Recovery is most successful when clients feel accepted and validated by their peers and treatment providers. Facilities that offer LGBTQ-inclusive programming are committed to creating a safe space where everyone can grow and recover without fear of judgment or discrimination. They will have dedicated policies in place to create a safe and supportive environment that fosters free expression.

Serving in the military is both mentally and physically challenging, and can result in trauma that persists even after combat ends. Military programs are tailored to the specific and often complex needs of active duty personnel, veterans, and military families. Clients often access these programs through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

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.

Clinical Services

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a therapy modality that focuses on the relationship between one's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It is used to establish and allow for healthy responses to thoughts and feelings (instead of unhealthy responses, like using drugs or alcohol). CBT has been proven effective for recovering addicts of all kinds, and is used to strengthen a patient's own self-awareness and ability to self-regulate. CBT allows individuals to monitor their own emotional state, become more adept at communicating with others, and manage stress without needing to engage in substance abuse.

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.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a modified form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a treatment designed to help people understand and ultimately affect the relationship between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. DBT is often used for individuals who struggle with self-harm behaviors, such as self-mutilation (cutting) and suicidal thoughts, urges, or attempts. It has been proven clinically effective for those who struggle with out-of-control emotions and mental health illnesses like Borderline Personality Disorder.

Eating disorders include anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and dysfunctional eating patterns. Many psychologists and other mental health professionals consider eating disorders to be food addictions, meaning food is being used in an addictive way (similar to drug or alcohol addiction). Certain substance abuse treatment programs will have treatment for eating disorders as one of the services offered. An eating disorder may also present as a co-occuring disorder or dual diagnosis alongside drug and alcohol addiction.

ECT is a form of treatment in which controlled electric currents are passed through the brain, sometimes causing short seizures. Treatments are done under general anesthesia. ECT appears to change brain chemistry for the better, and has been shown to provide fast and sometimes dramatic improvements in severe mental health conditions that can exist alongside addiction, including depression, bipolar disorder, psychosis, and suicidality. ECT is also often used by those who prefer it to taking medication.

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.

Fitness therapy blends exercise with psychotherapy for a fun, inspiring, and effective way of treating addiction and other issues. By incorporating movement into counseling sessions, clients become more empowered, motivated, and goal-oriented, all while strengthening their bodies and becoming more flexible. Fitness Therapy is usually used to complement a course of treatment (inpatient or outpatient) to make it even more successful. Increasing the connection between a patient’s mind and body helps both with healing as well as in creating new, healthy habits.

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.

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.

Life skills trainings involve all the skills a person must have in order to function successfully in the world. These include time management, career guidance, money management, and effective communication. Truly successful addiction recovery is based on the ability to not only live substance-free, but to thrive. Life skills teaches the practical necessities of functioning in society, which sets clients up for success in life, and therefore sobriety.

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.

Nutrition therapy, aka medical nutrition therapy (MNT), is a way of treating physical, emotional, and medical conditions through diet. Specific dietary plans are designed by professional nutritionists or registered dietitians, and patients follow them in order to positively affect their physical and mental health.

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.

Amenities

  • home-setting iconResidential Setting
  • private iconPrivate Setting

Staff & Accreditations

Staff

Wende Dottor

Executive Health System Director

Chad Adams

Deputy Executive Health System Director

Ilona Schmalfuss, MD

Chief of Staff

Tenna Liston, MSN, RN

Associate Director, Patient Care Services

Stephen Dotts

Associate Director of Operations

Josh Pridgen

Associate Director

James David Waller, MD, FACC

Deputy Chief of Staff

Brian Dyer

Assistant Director

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: 246194

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

Contact Information

Building icon

1601 S.W. Archer Road
Gainesville, FL 32608

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Reviews of Malcom Randall Veterans Affairs Medical Center

3.74/5 (335 reviews)
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Reviews

Overall Experience
Date Submitted
Reviewer

Google Reviews

3.7432835820896 (335 reviews)
Original DHS
1 month ago
1

Currently we are treated worse then the discarded waste in a colostomy bag. 22 a day BECAUSE of the VA. The solution is simple. Treat us with the decency the Va staff show their toilet paper. That would be a good start to curving that 22 number down.

James Ponicsan
1 month ago
5

I have been going to the vascular clinic due to chronic venous inefficiency. Yesterday, October 29th 2025, I had surgery to remove a "very bad" vein in my lower right leg. Even though there was a long delay because a pipe had broken in the basement causing electrical issues, everything went exceptionally well. I was treated with kindness and respect the entire time. The nursing staff were all amazing. I can't say enough good things about the anesthesiologist and his assistant. I just wish I could recall their names. They were so good to me and they explained everything they were going to do in great detail. They treated me with great respect. And finally, my surgeon, Dr. Scott Berceli. I could not have possibly been in better hands. He explained the entire procedure and met with my wife while I was in recovery. He explained everything to her as well, including what to do and not do during my recovery period. He is absolutely fantastic. I can not give the entire staff enough praise. From start to finish, it was awesome!

Michele Potter-Grabinski
2 months ago
1

So far the doctors here have treated my husband like his issues are all in his head. He falls daily and this has not been addressed. Hes 47, this shouldn't be happening. Also waiting months for referrals is unacceptable. His issues should not be just put in his chart and forgotten about. This healthcare system is broken and the doctors here do NOT care about their patients. This is unacceptable!! Im pissed and you will soon know just how pissed off I am.

William Champy
2 months ago
1

Absolutely hate going here.... Been here since 11:40am for my 12pm scheduled appt..... Now 2:57pm and I'm in the chair waiting for the Dr. that the nurse went to "go grab" 20 minutes ago.... Absolute joke of an establishment, extremely understaffed, and the staff that are here have zero sense of urgency.

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