Veterans COPE Recovery Program
The Veterans COPE Recovery Program (VCRP) – a free residential program for Veterans suffering with addiction, Substance Use Disorders (SUD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
The VCRP is an initiative of The Buttery, a not-for-profit, charitable mental health and drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre located in Northern NSW. The Buttery has nearly 50 years of experience treating mental health disorders and addiction.
The six-week Australian-first program is funded by the Department of Communities and Justice and supported by NSW Health. VRCP is free to all members of the Australian Defence Force (Army, Navy, and Air Force) who meet the eligibility criteria.
Under the COPE treatment model, PTSD and substance use disorders are treated simultaneously rather than as separate issues.
COPE is the Concurrent Treatment of PTSD and Substance Use Disorders using Prolonged Exposure. The evidence-based program provides structured daily living and physical and psychological safety support.
The VCRP is delivered in a non-hospital setting in Northern NSW by clinical psychologists, counsellors and staff with experience in supporting people to recovery. The residential program is followed by three months of aftercare, conducted by phone or video conference, when participants return to the community.
The pilot program for VCRP ran in March 2022.
The Buttery may have capacity to run a subsequent Veterans COPE Recovery Program should we receive adequate enquiries.
In the interim, Veterans are encourage to contact the The Buttery about participating in The Buttery Private program.
