This place wasn't even half of what I expected it to be, maybe my expectations were a little bit high but instead of happy of the treatment I received I am disappointed.
About Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center
Ralph H. Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center is a mental health rehabilitation facility operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs in Charleston, South Carolina, a short distance from the Ashley River. This program exclusively serves qualifying veterans and service members. They serve adult clients.
VA locations like this facility offer clients a wide range of primary and specialty care services in addition to its behavioral health rehabilitation programs. Their goal is to give clients tailored, targeted care that meets veterans’ unique and complex needs. Services offered include:
Outpatient care allows clients to receive treatment without living in a facility or other restrictive environment. Clients visit the clinic on a fixed schedule to receive treatment tailored to their needs. Services delivered through outpatient care include therapy and psychiatric services. Clients can also receive homeless care and transitional care management for returning veterans.
Ralph H. Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center accepts VA benefits alongside most private insurance. However, in network and out of network benefits can vary between carriers, so clients should confirm their coverage and benefits with their plan before enrolling in a treatment plan.
Facility Overview
172 Number of Available Beds
Latest Reviews
I have been trying to get assigned a primary care provider since October 2023. I call, they say the point of contact will call you within 3 days. Weeks pass and I call same thing. I haven t seen a VA doctor since I separated over a year ago. I m polite on the phone, they re apologetic every time. Nothing changes. The only doctor that will see me is when I walk in to urgent care. This sucks. I don t feel very taken care of.EDIT: Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center doesn t assign PCM.. As soon as I called goose creek, I got an appointment. The employees that were telling me you ll get a call back should ve known that the appointment requests were going no one! Hopefully this helps..
Hello, I just wanted to take the time to say that I had rough transition from the army due to health issues. I wasn't getting the medication I needed to just feel some relief . I was getting the run-around left an right , until I found a wonderful nurse name Krystal she actually took the time to speak to me . I really felt like she cared. Thanks to her, life is bearable .
The person who works the front desk will not stop hanging up on me. 5 stars for my doctor, but WHY WOULD THE OPERATOR HANG UP ON ME SO MUCH?? I was asking if they have a resource officer or something like that but he repeatedly said we can t help you *click*
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Other Forms of Payment
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.
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.
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.
Addiction Treatments
Levels of Care
Outpatient 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.
Inpatient 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.
Intensive Outpatient Clients undergoing treatment in an intensive outpatient program (IOP) remain in or return to their homes following detox and/or inpatient rehab. They engage in multiple, extended treatment sessions weekly, with most intensive outpatient rehabs requiring between nine and 20 therapeutic hours per week. These programs are ideal for clients in early recovery and those at an elevated risk of relapse and typically combine counseling, recovery education, holistic care, and medication assisted treatment (MAT).
Aftercare Support Clients engaged in a rehab aftercare program are in a more advanced stage of recovery. Many have already completed inpatient detox and/or rehab and have returned to their home, workplace, and community. Rehab aftercare services are designed to support clients' recovery over the long term and typically include a broad portfolio of resources, such as peer coaching and 12 step program induction. Clients may collaborate with their case manager and care team to create their care plan.
12-Step 12-step programs are addiction recovery models based on Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). A number of substance abuse programs (including some drug and alcohol rehab centers) use the 12 steps as a basis for treatment. Beginning steps involve admitting powerlessness over the addiction and creating a spiritual basis for recovery. Middle steps including making direct amends to those who've been hurt by the addiction, and the final step is to assist others in addiction recovery in the same way. 12-Step offshoots including Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Cocaine Anonymous (CA), Dual Recovery Anonymous (DRA), Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA) and Gamblers Anonymous (GA).
Intervention Services If your friend or family member is living with a substance abuse issue, a drug intervention in South Carolina can help them accept the treatment they need. A drug intervention is a structured confrontation initiated by family and friends and facilitated by intervention services. The professional interventionist provides education about addiction, enabling, and available treatment options.
Medically Assisted Detox Drug and alcohol addiction often takes a heavy toll on one's body. Over time, a physical dependence can develop, meaning the body physiologically needs the substance to function. Detox is the process of removing drugs and/or alcohol from the body, a process that can be lethal if mismanaged. Medical detox is done by licensed medical professionals who monitor vital signs and keep you safe, healthy, and as comfortable as possible as you go through detox and withdrawal.
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.
Choosing a drug rehab in South Carolina helps you overcome drug dependency, learn how to manage cravings, and obtain the tools needed to prevent relapse. This is accomplished through individualized treatment that addresses a full spectrum of physical, social, and emotional needs.
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 Program
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 Adult Program
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.
LGBTQ Program
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.
Military Program
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).
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.
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.
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.
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a clinical approach to helping people with substance abuse issues and other conditions shift behavior in positive ways. It is more goal-oriented than traditional psychotherapy, as MI counselors directly attempt to get clients to consider making behavioral change (rather than wait for them to come to conclusions themselves). Its primary purpose is to resolve ambivalence and help clients become able to make healthy choices freely.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Amenities
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Private Setting -
Private Transportation
Staff & Accreditations
Staff
Scott R. Isaacks, FACHE
Director & CEO
Ronnie Smith, MHSA, MBA
Associate Director
Letha C. Rogers, MSN, RN
Associate Director, Nursing & Patient Care Services
Olivia Freda, MHA
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: 6587
Contact Information
(843) 577-5011 
109 Bee Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Get Help Now - 803-575-2354
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Fact checked and written by:
Terri Beth Miller, PhD
Edited by:
Quentin Blount
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