The staff is poorly informed, they seem confused doing their job as if they didn't know how to do it. The professionalism here is horrid and almost dangerous to anyone seriously ill.
About Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center Emergency Room
VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System – Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC provides comprehensive addiction recovery services for military personnel, veterans, and families in Aurora, Colorado, including telehealth care, crisis intervention, medically supervised detox, medication assisted treatment (MAT), and inpatient, intensive outpatient (IOP), partial hospitalization (PHP), general outpatient (OP), and aftercare programming. They also offer dedicated programming for adolescents, young adults, seniors, homeless and indigent persons, LGBTQ+ persons, and persons with co-occurring disorders.
Inpatient Programs
Their inpatient programs allow clients to focus on their recovery in a highly structured and supportive environment. Clients receive round-the-clock medical supervision, medical and mental health assessments, personalized care planning, and case management. Those undergoing detox may be prescribed FDA-approved medications to ease withdrawal symptoms and prevent potentially serious complications. Clients in opioid and/or alcohol recovery may enroll in their evidence-based MAT program for longer-term pharmacotherapy. Clients also engage in intensive individual, group, and family counseling and robust recovery-focused life skills training addressing topics such as relapse prevention.
Outpatient and Aftercare Services
Their outpatient programs encompass multiple levels of care to align with clients’ evolving needs. Their aftercare services may include 12 step program facilitation, step-down and transitional support, and referrals for medical, mental health, and social service programs.
Accreditation and Payment
Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC is accredited by SAMHSA, The Joint Commission, and CARF. They accept private insurance, military insurance, sliding scale payment schedules, and self-pay. Financial aid is available.
Facility Overview
40 Number of Available Beds
Latest Reviews
Fantastic staff that is incredibly informative and caring. Very grateful for the care at this hospital for its patients.
Update 9/2026: I had to visit the ER recently and they were absolutely amazing. There were only a couple of patients (it was the middle of the night) so it was a quick trip. I felt horrible coming in, but my PC urged me to because I couldn't see him for a couple of weeks. The admin person at the door, nurses, doc, radiology techs - everyone. Thank you ER staff of 9/25 PM. :)
I know vet hospitals as a whole get trashed pretty badly, but remember that 99% of the people at the VA want to be there and do care; they will always do what they can - red tape and government policies are what most people are frustrated with.
**From 2022ish**
I’ve been a patient at the RMVA for just over 14 years. In that time, I’ve only dealt with three difficult staff members. Considering I’ve probably encountered close to a hundred staff in the past 14 years, I’d say that’s pretty great. Most people here truly care about the veterans and what they do. I’ve also witnessed staff being verbally abused by frustrated veterans and handled the situation with great care and respect.
The new site doesn’t have enough parking, especially if you have an early morning appointment; plan ahead. There isn’t much parking in the area if you can’t find a spot in the parking garages.
Appointments have wait times; be prepared. I’ve had a hard time getting into GYN the past couple of years; it’s always a wait. But they have always been amazing.
The people at the entrance have always greeted me and asked if I needed directions or help getting to my appointment, as long as they weren’t helping someone.
The lab is quite efficient and streamlined; the techs in there have always been friendly and professional.
I’ve unfortunately had to use the new ER once; the wait was long; however, they checked on me often and kept me informed of estimated times for tests/doc visits/etc., more so than I’ve ever gotten in any other ER.
The pharmacy staff has always been great with me as well, even when I’ve called about drug interactions. They have been patient and helpful; something I appreciate, and I try to express.
I had a lump scare, and the staff that set up and did my mammogram were absolutely fantastic. I felt as comfortable as I could, considering the situation. It could have been a stressful and difficult situation; they made it more manageable.
Yes, the VA has procedural problems. Yes, the VA spent too much on the new site. No, it’s no perfect. However, my experiences have almost always been great, especially when it came to direct patient care.
Staff and doctors top notch. No long wait times. All necessary testing and services located in one location.
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8.2 / 10
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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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Clients entering an inpatient rehab typically require more intensive treatment than those in outpatient care. Clients often start inpatient treatment immediately after completing a detox program. Upon admission, they engage in extensive psychotherapy, receive recovery-focused life skills training, and participate in evidence-based complementary therapies, such as meditation, massage, acupuncture, and/or animal, creative arts, recreational, and experiential therapy.
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) are for those who want or need a very structured treatment program but who also wish to live at home and continue with certain responsibilities (such as work or school). IOP substance abuse treatment programs vary in duration and intensity, and certain outpatient rehab centers will offer individualized treatment programs.
Clients engaged in a rehab aftercare program have completed active addiction treatment and are receiving services designed to promote their sustained sobriety. Drug rehab aftercare typically encompasses a wide variety of medical, mental health, and social services meant to facilitate clients' reintegration into their home, workplace, and community. Clients typically collaborate with their case manager and/or recovery team to identify and access the services they need, often including peer coaching, career counseling, and care referrals.
Addiction recovery based on a 12 step program model is rooted in peer support and spiritual development. Participants regularly attend 12 step meetings, which are free, anonymous, peer-led, and available throughout the day and night in most communities. Clients' recovery is achieved progressively as they work through the 12 steps, which teach them to understand and address the root causes of their addiction, become accountable for their choices, and relinquish control over that which cannot be changed.
Residents of a sober living home in Colorado are encouraged to continue to develop coping skills and habits they learned in treatment. They can typically live at the halfway house as long as they want, until they feel they are ready to transition home. During their stay, they must adhere to house rules, which may include contributing to household chores, abiding by a curfew, and maintaining a job.
A drug intervention in Colorado is necessary when someone needs help with substance abuse but is unwilling to stop using despite multiple negative consequences. Intervention services are available to walk family and friends through a step-by-step process of planning and executing the intervention. A successful intervention requires careful planning and set-up as well as appropriate follow-up. Intervention services can be crucial to carrying out each of these steps.
A partial hospitalization program (PHP) is a short-term form of intensive rehab, usually for those with acute symptoms that are hard to manage but don’t require 24-hour care. PHPs have structured programming (i.e. individual and/or group therapy), and usually meet 3-5 days a week for around 6 hours (i.e. 9am-3m). Some PHPs are residential (patients sleep on site) and some are not, so patients sleep at home. PHPs can last from 1-6 months, and some offer transportation and meals.
The process of medically assisted detox usually takes place in an inpatient setting while under the 24/7 care of a team of licensed medical professionals. It's considered the safest way to rid the body of all addictive substances and prepare you for a transition into either an inpatient program or various forms of outpatient rehab. The program length varies depending on your needs, but it typically takes about 5-7 days.
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.
Professional services are often necessary to recover from addiction. Drug rehab in Colorado provides the expert services needed to address the complex issues of addiction and help individuals start their recovery journey.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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 Transportation -
Residential Setting -
Private Rooms
Staff & Accreditations
Staff
Amir Farooqi, FACHE
Interim Medical Center Director
Darren Travis
Interim Deputy Director
Michelle R. Mountfort, DHA, MSN, MBA, RN
Associate Director, Patient Care Services
Sharee Taylor, PhD, RHIA
Associate Director
Accreditations
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
The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) is a non-profit organization that specifically accredits rehab organizations. Founded in 1966, CARF's, mission is to help service providers like rehab facilities maintain high standards of care.
CARF Accreditation: Yes
Accreditation Number: 269144
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: 385147
Rehab.com regularly reviews this listing for accuracy but changes may occur between updates. For the most up-to-date information, please contact Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center Emergency Room.
Contact Information
1700 N Wheeling ST
Aurora, CO 80045
Get Help Now - 720-918-6614
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