Wellstone Provides Free Treatment for Alabama Veterans and First Responders

Wellstone has introduced a no-cost treatment option for veterans and first responders in Alabama; they are offering the SGB Star Block, an outpatient injection that targets specific neural clusters. This procedure aims to alleviate symptoms of post-traumatic stress, such as hyperawakening.

The initiative started in Kalman with the collaboration of local VFW leaders and state legislators and continues today with Wellstone, which is tracking participant outcomes during follow-up visits.

Launched in 2021, this program developed with the support of local VFW leadership and community businesses, and it has expanded to serve the whole state.

“SGB is a minimally invasive procedure that specifically targets the nerves around the neck,” explained Richard James Verskan, a disabled veteran and retired U.S. Army member. “It helps reset the brain’s fight-or-flight response. The injection lasts about an hour and is performed under general anesthesia, so, it’s honestly the best sleep you’ll get, and side effects are usually minimal.”

Werschin noted that the initiative received backing from Senator Garlan Gudger, Representative Randall Shedd, and the Cullman County VFW, coordinated by two dedicated social workers and veteran coordinators through Wellstone.

According to Wellstone, a follow-up report indicated a 60% average reduction in PTSD symptoms among participants after four years. Typically, these procedures come with a price tag of around $800, but veterans in Alabama qualify for coverage through various programs.

Veterans or first responders who wish to take part begin with a confidential screening via Wellstone’s Care Line (256-255-1020), followed by completing a PTSD scale and clinical evaluation. If eligible, they will receive the injection at Nesbit Pain-Related Associates, located at Ascension St. Vincent’s Birmingham Campus.

The initiative has local roots; back in 2021, the Kalman County VFW and local community partners fought for SGB access, with state senator Garlan Gudger and former senator Randall Shedd securing $200,000 in state funding, making the injections free for veterans in nine counties.

“If you’re a veteran in Alabama, dealing with PTSD isn’t just a matter of counting to ten. It can really feel overwhelming,” a local veteran shared. “This might just be a game-changer that you didn’t know you needed.”