‘Unbroken’ veteran and military trauma program

The Meadows has launched a new program called “Unbroken,” a specialized trauma and addiction program for military veterans and first responders.

The program is designed for active-duty military members, veterans, first responders, public safety professionals, and their loved ones experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use.

The program is led by Bill Reynolds, a 30-year U.S. Navy veteran and experienced psychiatric and medical leader. He brings firsthand understanding of the challenges of military service, along with years of experience working with first responder communities, and deep expertise in post-traumatic stress, addiction medicine, and military-informed psychiatric care.

Bill Reynolds, a certified Physician Assistant for the military and first responder of trauma recovery for “Unbroken,” joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss the program.

“It just demonstrates resilience,” Reynolds said, “…people that have been through a lot of adverse experiences, but they’re still standing.”

Reynolds emphasized how first responders in general are an underserved population, not because they don’t have access to care, but because of the stigma.

“This is a population that wants to, you know, do it on their own,” Reynolds discussed. “They have a certain amount of shame for asking for help. So we’re doing everything that we can to break that stigma.”

Reynolds explained that it isn’t a normal treatment program that one size fits all; it is a holistic program with every plan individualized.

“We do a head-to-toe physical examination on people, we do lab work, and everybody gets a complete psychiatric evaluation,” Reynolds said, “…and based upon their needs we…tailor their programming to what they need.”

The program does not serve as an inpatient program, or hospital, but is a residential program located in Wickenburg, with individuals typically staying for 30 to 45 days.