MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION TREATMENT FOR ACTIVE MILITARY MEMBERS
Addiction, PTSD, and mental health care for members of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Military service requires resilience, courage, sacrifice, and commitment—and the mental health challenges you face deserve the same level of commitment. Whether you’re dealing with operational stress disorder, addiction, PTSD, or mental health concerns as an active service member or veteran, your wellbeing is key to a meaningful and productive recovery throughout your service and beyond.
At EHN Canada and our EHN Guardians facilities, we offer evidence-based treatment programs specifically designed to address the unique experiences of CAF members. We understand the distinct challenges of military service—from the weight of experiences under deployment to the difficulty of transitioning back to civilian life—and have created treatment programs exclusively for military members in order to help you create a foundation for successful, lasting recovery.
Canadian Armed Forces members face unique mental health challenges that require specialized understanding and care.
As many as 1 in 10 Canadian war zone veterans—including war-service veterans and peacekeeping forces—will go on to experience PTSD.
More than one third of CAF veterans report experiencing a mental health problem.
The prevalence of lifetime alcohol use disorders was significantly higher in the CAF (32%) than in the Canadian general population (20.3%).
How our treatment programs support military members
At EHN Canada, we recognize military service leads to experiences that require specialized, trauma-informed care. Our treatment approach is personalized and honours active service while addressing the complex challenges many CAF members face, from addiction to PTSD to the often-invisible wounds of operational stress. We’re here to offer support in both active service and civilian life.
Evidence-based treatment
Our treatment programs rely on clinical approaches that help CAF members recover and build lasting wellness.
Treatment for complex conditions
We specialize in treating co-occurring disorders, addressing both mental health and addiction with integrated, compassionate care.
Flexible treatment options
From guardians-only inpatient programs to virtual care, we offer a range of programs and treatments to meet the needs and circumstances of CAF members.
Personalized treatment plans
Military treatment for trauma, PTSD, and mental health concerns is unique. We offer personalized treatment plans that address specific challenges and lead to long-term recovery.
Partnership with Wounded Warriors Project
EHN Canada is proud to partner with Wounded Warriors Canada, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping veterans and active-duty service members living with PTSD. Through this partnership, our clinical team receives specialized training in treating military personnel, helping us better understand the unique culture, work environment, and operational stressors of military service—and ensuring we provide care that honours your experiences.
Addiction and mental health support programs for the Canadian Armed Forces
Our treatment programs are designed to address the distinct needs of CAF members, with trauma-focused therapies and an understanding of military service experiences.
Inpatient trauma and addiction programs
EHN Guardians can help active Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members begin their recovery.
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Trauma and psychological injury programs
Treatment for trauma, PTSD, and other operational stress injuries.
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Want our team to reach out and discuss treatment options for CAF members? Fill out our form and we’ll be in touch soon.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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What is EHN Guardians and who do they serve?
EHN Guardians offers specialized care, expert clinicians, and customized programs exclusively for military, veterans, and first responders who are struggling with addiction, trauma, and other mental health disorders. Learn more at ehnguardians.ca
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Who can access trauma and addiction programs as a CAF member?
EHN Guardians programs are available to active Canadian Armed Forces members seeking support for mental health concerns, operational stress injuries, PTSD, or substance use challenges. Our programs are also open to CAF veterans transitioning to civilian life who need specialized, trauma-informed care. Each program is tailored to address the unique experiences of military service, ensuring treatment is relevant and effective.
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How long is inpatient treatment for addiction and PTSD from the military?
Program length varies based on individual needs and the type of care required. Our clinicians create personalized plans that balance treatment intensity with your military obligations. Fill out this form or call us at 1-866-963-6343 to learn more about treatment duration.
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Can you treat PTSD and substance use at the same time?
Yes. We can treat trauma symptoms with or without addiction; however, many CAF members experience co-occurring disorders, and EHN Guardians specializes in integrated care that treats PTSD, operational stress injuries, and substance use simultaneously. Our trauma-informed approach ensures that each condition is addressed in a coordinated, evidence-based program for lasting recovery.
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Can I involve my family in treatment or Aftercare?
Families play an essential role in recovery, and EHN Guardians provides dedicated support throughout a loved one’s treatment. Both programs below are delivered online, facilitated by EHN staff, and included at no extra cost.
- • Educational Webinars: These sessions help family members understand the disorders and symptoms their loved one is facing while also focusing on their own well-being. Participants learn strategies to regain balance, establish healthy boundaries, and navigate the family dynamic during recovery.
- Guardian Family Connect: A weekly support group for EHN Guardians’ family members and support persons. This group offers a space to share experiences, receive mutual support, and connect with others who may be facing similar challenges.
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How do programs support transition back to active duty or civilian life?
EHN Guardians clients have access to an EHN Guardians-exclusive Aftercare group, included at no additional cost.
Aftercare includes:
- One year of support after inpatient treatment, ten months of support after VITP
- Weekly 2-hour online sessions
- Support informed by DBT, CBT, ACT, and trauma-informed care
- Optional alcohol and drug monitoring
Aftercare helps maintain progress and navigate early recovery through transition-focused care to help CAF members smoothly reintegrate smoothly following treatment for addiction or mental health.
[JE1]Should we specify that it’s Aftercare?
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What are the expected outcomes of completing an addiction, mental health or PTSD program?
CAF members who complete EHN programs often experience:
- Reduced PTSD and operational stress symptomS
- Improved coping strategies for trauma and addiction
- Enhanced emotional resilience for military and civilian life
- Support for long-term wellness and relapse prevention
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What evidence-based trauma therapies are used with CAF members?
EHN Canada uses clinically proven, evidence-based therapies tailored for CAF members, including:
All EHN Guardians programs are grounded in evidence-based clinical modalities, including CBT, DBT, ACT, EMDR, exposure therapy, and trauma-informed care. These approaches are research-supported and proven effective for treating trauma, PTSD, addiction, operational stress and concurrent mental health conditions.
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Who provides treatment at EHN Guardians?
Our programs are delivered by experienced clinicians, including psychologists, therapists, nurses, physicians, and specialized staff trained in trauma and addiction. Clients benefit from consistent clinical oversight and a team with deep expertise in military, veteran, and first responder populations.
