AUGUSTA, Maine — Togus VA Medical Center is getting a new addition to its substance use disorder treatment options. The campus is building a new residential rehabilitation treatment program for substance use disorder.
The new residential treatment facility will offer 12 beds to help veterans access substance use disorder and mental health treatment.
"It’s really been missing link for a number of years where we’ve unfortunately been required to send our veterans out of state to seek this type of treatment at other VA facilities. We're now going to be able to provide it on the Togus campus," Timothy McIntire, VA Maine’s Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program Manager, said.
Veterans seeking treatment will stay at the facility for about 4-6 weeks, receiving group and individual psychotherapy and access to medications in a controlled setting. McIntire said offering a residential treatment option gives providers the opportunity to intervene in ways that aren’t possible in an outpatient setting.
“The ability to provide that in the state of Maine close to their natural supports where friends and family can actually visit them during treatment is a big step forward," McIntire said.
The facility will start off with 12 beds, but Togus would like to expand its capacity during the coming years, according to McIntire. He said Togus is currently trying to get approval to add an additional 12 beds, making for a total of 24.
"This has been a long time coming," McIntire said, calling the facility a "significant step forward."
U.S. Representative Jared Golden has been working to expand the state's health care capacity for veterans since 2014 when he was elected into the Maine House of Representatives.
"It’s sorely needed and a long time coming. There is nothing I have worked for longer during my time in elected office than increasing mental health and substance use treatment for Maine veterans," Rep. Golden wrote in a newsletter.
McIntire noted that staffing can be a challenge throughout the VA, and currently Togus' SUD division is slightly understaffed. He said the goal is to hire a full staff for the facility prior to opening.
The groundbreaking for the facility will take place this week, and construction is expected to be complete in 2025.