REHAB termination/suspension protocol

Unknown Soldier wrote:

SatchBoogie wrote:also, important to keep in mind.  if you would like to not take medication, that is indeed your right.  but it is your choice to see either a psychologist or psychiatrist as per the rehab program stipulations, they are basically the same thing from a treatment perspective except the psychiatrist can (and will) prescribe medication.  the psychologists cannot.  i would suggest finding a registered psychologist to work with as opposed to a psychiatrist if you are interested in the non-medication path. they should respect your wishes regardless of who you work with, but i am saying its one less variable to worry about on your end if you take the initiative.  your treatment is in your hands.  all my best

SB

thanks again, my situation is intertwined with a friends, I am fearful of mind altering drugs, but in her case she has been seeing a psychologist for 4 years  for PTSD and was happy with the situation and doing well mentally. But when she applied for DEC status , VAC asked her to leave behind her psychologist because they felt 4 years was too long to not see any real progress. They are insisting she go to a psychiatrist or else they will close her rehab program. I just think it’s weird how, no one at VAC cared how long she was seeing a psychologist, sort of out of site out of mind, but now they want a different opinion from a new dr. Who knows how long that therapy will take before she opens up, but that’s her battle.

SatchBoogie wrote:also, important to keep in mind.  if you would like to not take medication, that is indeed your right.  but it is your choice to see either a psychologist or psychiatrist as per the rehab program stipulations, they are basically the same thing from a treatment perspective except the psychiatrist can (and will) prescribe medication.  the psychologists cannot.  i would suggest finding a registered psychologist to work with as opposed to a psychiatrist if you are interested in the non-medication path. they should respect your wishes regardless of who you work with, but i am saying its one less variable to worry about on your end if you take the initiative.  your treatment is in your hands.  all my best

SB

SatchBoogie wrote:fighting vac will not solve anything.  exact same situation happened to me.  and i mean exact.  the whole "refusing to take medication" all it boils down to is how its written in someone's report.  if they write it as "client is refusing treatment" its seen as contradictory to the methods of the rehab program.  if its written as "client has chosen to take a different path than that of medication and is enthusiastic to continue treatment" then its a positive.  its called the case manager lottery, my friend.  you rolled and got a bad one.  there are bad ones and good ones.  take the advice of one who has conquered this potential dark and immensely insulting and frustrating period.  reapply.  they treat each application as a new case.  and make sure if you're living in the same area you actively request a different case manager.  if they insist, you insist also.  don't forget your rights, but don't lose sleep.  its not worth it.  important thing is put in a new application, put this negative experience behind you and accept the possibility that not everyone who works at veterans affairs is bad at their jobs.  best of luck.

Unknown Soldier wrote:

derngt wrote:

Rustytheviking wrote:I have refused meds in the past. Never been threatened with the cutoff of benefits. Vac and medical professionals leave be. Very possible there’s more to the story than what you’ve been told

I agree..I have given him a lot of different options yet he keep saying the same thing....So go fight VAC then..

thank you for providing me with “ options” but none answered my original question til now: “ Will VAC cut off a verteran’s benefits if they refuse to take psychiatrist recommended meds, under the clause of “not participating in the rehab program “ - apparently not, at least in Vikings case. But l have found that what VAC does to/for one vet, is never equal across the board, I’ll keep you posted.

derngt wrote:

Rustytheviking wrote:I have refused meds in the past. Never been threatened with the cutoff of benefits. Vac and medical professionals leave be. Very possible there’s more to the story than what you’ve been told

I agree..I have given him a lot of different options yet he keep saying the same thing....So go fight VAC then..

Rustytheviking wrote:I have refused meds in the past. Never been threatened with the cutoff of benefits. Vac and medical professionals leave be. Very possible there’s more to the story than what you’ve been told

derngt wrote:

Unknown Soldier wrote:

bigrex wrote:As tragic as that is, anti-depressants in teenagers, is a very risky thing, because their brain chemistry is still in flux. But that seldom happens with adults, when taking medication.  But what derngt was saying, was that VAC does not need to know what medications you are taking. They may what medications have been prescribed, to treat PTSD when filling out paperwork, but they do not ask how long you took them, if you you stopped, or why.

maybe so, but what I’m saying is, suppose as part of a veterans rehab plan, VAC states that the veteran must see a psychiatrist,either in the community or at an OSIC. After a few sessions the Dr. says I want you to try, whatever is prescribed to try and level PTSD. The veteran says no thanks for whatever reason, that psychiatrist then files a report to VAC saying “ client refused meds/help”. Then VAC turns around and says “ take the pill or lose your finances “, that’s blackmail, no one should ever be forced to take a drug out of fear they will lose the ability to support their family if they don’t.

bigrex was bang on what he said..Everyone agrees with your statement the no one should be forced to take meds..End of discussion..If you would rather fight the system then trying to work in it...All the power to you...I would prefer to get a cheque every month and support my family then fight VAC...If you can afford being cut off then fight away...On a personal level I would start and stop my meds for over 10 years for the same reasons you stated...It has only been in the last year I have finally found the right combination...Now I take them religiously...

Unknown Soldier wrote:

bigrex wrote:As tragic as that is, anti-depressants in teenagers, is a very risky thing, because their brain chemistry is still in flux. But that seldom happens with adults, when taking medication.  But what derngt was saying, was that VAC does not need to know what medications you are taking. They may what medications have been prescribed, to treat PTSD when filling out paperwork, but they do not ask how long you took them, if you you stopped, or why.

maybe so, but what I’m saying is, suppose as part of a veterans rehab plan, VAC states that the veteran must see a psychiatrist,either in the community or at an OSIC. After a few sessions the Dr. says I want you to try, whatever is prescribed to try and level PTSD. The veteran says no thanks for whatever reason, that psychiatrist then files a report to VAC saying “ client refused meds/help”. Then VAC turns around and says “ take the pill or lose your finances “, that’s blackmail, no one should ever be forced to take a drug out of fear they will lose the ability to support their family if they don’t.

bigrex wrote:As tragic as that is, anti-depressants in teenagers, is a very risky thing, because their brain chemistry is still in flux. But that seldom happens with adults, when taking medication.  But what derngt was saying, was that VAC does not need to know what medications you are taking. They may what medications have been prescribed, to treat PTSD when filling out paperwork, but they do not ask how long you took them, if you you stopped, or why.

derngt wrote:Did I miss a part of this conversation..If you agree taking meds are a good thing and seeking regular therapy is a good thing why are you being cut off..Is this someone else's case or yours...