Active Duty Military Addiction Treatment

Table of Contents

Medically reviewed by:

Audrey Grimm, PMHNP-BC

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Sequoia Recovery Centers

Chief Executive Officer

Audrey Grimm is one of Sequoia’s original founders and Chief Executive Officer. Audrey has spent her career working in behavioral health. She has over 10 years of nursing experience, half of that working in inpatient psychiatric and detox facilities. She graduated as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in 2023. 

Serving Those Who Serve Our Country

Active Duty Military Addiction Treatment in Washington

Serving in the military demands extraordinary courage, resilience, and sacrifice. Yet the very challenges that define active duty—prolonged stress, trauma, physical injuries, and the isolation of deployment—can also lead to substance use as a coping mechanism. If you or a fellow service member is struggling with addiction, you are not alone, and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. The stigma around asking for support often prevents military personnel from getting the care they deserve, but recovery is possible, and you don’t have to face it by yourself.

Sequoia Recovery Centers proudly stands alongside service members throughout Washington, offering specialized military addiction treatment designed to address both the physical and emotional challenges that come with military life. Despite what our name suggests, we are more than just a detox center. Sequoia offers a full continuum of care, from safe, medically monitored detox to comprehensive inpatient and outpatient programs. 

You’ve dedicated your life to serving others. Now, let us serve you. 

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU

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Understanding Addiction in the Military:
The Hidden Battle

Military service demands extraordinary resilience, but the very pressures that forge strength—combat exposure, physical injuries, and prolonged separation from loved ones—can also lead to substance misuse. The numbers don’t lie:

  • 35% of active-duty service members report binge drinking.
  • 17.3% of military personnel with PTSD also have a substance use disorder.

These statistics reflect a harsh reality: Substance use often becomes a coping mechanism for the invisible wounds of service.

The unique stressors of duty create a perfect storm for substance misuse:

  • Physical & Emotional Strain: Chronic pain from injuries, sleep deprivation, and the psychological toll of combat can drive reliance on painkillers, stimulants, or alcohol.
  • Deployment & Isolation: Long separations from family and the hypervigilance of combat zones increase the risk of self-medication.

The conversation around addiction in the military goes deeper than just substances — it’s also about the environment. Military culture emphasizes strength, self-reliance, and mission-first thinking. While these values create strong leaders and cohesive teams, they can also make it difficult for service members to admit when struggling.

Even when service members recognize they need support, many hesitate due to:

  • Fear of professional consequences: Concerns about security clearances, promotions, or being perceived as “weak.”
  • Confidentiality worries: Uncertainty about whether treatment will be reported to command.
  • Limited access to specialized care: Not all treatment centers understand military culture or offer trauma-informed approaches.

This is why military addiction treatment must be different—tailored to address not just the substance use but also the underlying trauma, chronic stress, and unique pressures of service. 

Sequoia Recovery Centers provides a safe, judgment-free environment where active-duty personnel can heal without sacrificing their careers or dignity.

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We Work With Most Major Insurance

We Work With Most Major PPO & HMO Insurance Providers. We Now Are Accepting Medicaid for Outpatient Treatment. Within Medicaid, we only accept Well Point and Community Health Plan of Washington plans.

We Are An In-Network Provider For Kaiser And Lifewise Insurance Carriers.

Recovery Journey

The Importance of Specialized Treatment for
Active Duty Military

When it comes to addiction recovery, there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach — especially for active duty military personnel. While many treatment centers offer quality care, generic programs often aren’t equipped to address service members’ unique demands and experiences. The reality is that military life brings challenges that require more than standard treatment plans.

Service members encounter stressors that civilians may never experience, including:

  • Exposure to combat and high-risk environments
  • Extended time away from family and support networks
  • Intense physical demands and chronic pain from injuries
  • The pressure to maintain peak performance under any circumstance

These experiences often shape a person’s mental health just as much as their physical health, and when substance use becomes a way to cope, true healing requires more than simply treating the addiction.

That’s where trauma-informed care and cultural understanding make all the difference. An effective military addiction treatment program should include:

  • Evidence-based approaches like EMDR (for PTSD), Cognitive Processing Therapy (for moral injury), and somatic therapies (for stress stored in the body) are essential.
  • Clinicians who speak the “language” of service—understanding rank, deployment cycles, and the emotional toll of reintegration—build trust faster.
  • Group sessions with fellow service members or veterans create a safe space to share struggles without judgment.

When you choose Sequoia’s military addiction treatment program, you can expect more than just support — you can expect care that honors your service, understands your journey, and empowers you to reclaim your life.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Wondering if you or your loved
one needs addiction treatment?

We understand how challenging it can be to know if and when you or your loved one needs help with addiction.  By taking this quiz, you can get a quick assessment of some signs that may indicate whether or not you need to reach out for help. 

We Are Here to Help

How Sequoia Recovery Centers Supports Active Duty Military

At Sequoia Recovery Centers, we recognize that active duty service members deserve care that is as dedicated and specialized as the service they provide. Our approach to military addiction treatment is designed to support the whole person, addressing not only substance use but also the emotional, mental, and physical stressors that often accompany it.

Active duty personnel often face complex health challenges beyond addiction, including invisible wounds that can be easily overlooked. Our experienced clinical team conducts thorough evaluations to uncover and treat any underlying conditions, such as:

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Depression and anxiety
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

This dual-diagnosis approach ensures we aren’t just treating the symptoms of substance use, but the root causes as well.

At Sequoia Recovery Centers, we integrate proven therapeutic methods into every treatment plan. These therapies are selected to meet the unique emotional and psychological needs of military personnel:

  • Trauma-Focused Therapies:

    • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): A powerful tool to process and heal trauma.
    • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT): Helps individuals reframe traumatic memories and reduce distress.

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) & Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Practical techniques to manage triggers, regulate emotions, and build healthy coping strategies, especially in high-stress environments.

  • Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): For those facing opioid or alcohol dependence, MAT can safely reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms when combined with counseling and behavioral therapies.

One of the biggest concerns for active duty members seeking help is confidentiality, especially regarding career security and future opportunities. At Sequoia Recovery Centers, your privacy is a top priority. Our staff is trained to balance personal recovery and military requirements, ensuring your treatment remains discreet and compliant with applicable protections.

An active duty military member participates in therapy at an addiction treatment center.

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Your Path to Recovery Starts Here

Military service requires courage, and so does asking for help. If you or a fellow service member is struggling with addiction, remember: you don’t have to face this battle alone. At Sequoia Recovery Centers, we specialize in military addiction treatment that honors your service while giving you the tools to heal—body, mind, and spirit.

Our trauma-informed programs are designed by clinicians who understand military culture, ensuring you receive care that’s as disciplined and resilient as you are. We’re here to help you reclaim your health, relationships, and future from evidence-based therapies to confidential support.

Call us today to speak with our team about personalized military addiction treatment in Washington. Your mission to recovery begins now.