Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Many veterans have problems with use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs. This can include use of street drugs as well as using prescription medications in ways they weren’t prescribed. Such substance use can harm health, cause mood and behavior problems, hurt social relationships, and cause financial problems. Many people find it difficult to cut down or stop using substances on their own. Effective treatments for substance use problems are available at VA. Available treatments address all types of problems related to substance use, from unhealthy use of alcohol to life-threatening addictions.

The VA provides effective, scientifically proven services for all eligible veterans, no matter where they come for services. VA providers know that in many cases substance use problems are continuing conditions that require care over a long period of time. For other veterans, the substance use problems may be resolved more quickly with attention paid to related problems. Such related problems could be posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, pain, disturbed sleep, irritability, and/or relationship problems.

The VA offers a number of options for those seeking treatment for substance use problems. These options include therapy, either alone with the therapist or in a group, as well as medications to help veterans reduce their use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs.

Treatments that do not involve medications involve one or more of the following:

VA providers may use medications to treat alcohol dependence. Effective medications can help manage withdrawal symptoms, reduce craving, and promote abstinence, which is not drinking any alcohol.

Several medications for stopping tobacco can be effective alone or in combination:

There are three different medications to treat addiction to opioid drugs like heroin, oxycodone or other pain killers. Methadone is an effective approach for chronic opioid addiction that can be provided only within a special program. Buprenorphine / naloxone and naltrexone can be part of treatment plans in a variety of clinical settings.

To help make sure that veterans can attend VA treatment services, programs offer evening and weekend hours. Residential (live-in) options are available for veterans who live far away from a VA clinic or have unstable housing. Special programs are often offered for patients with special concerns, such as women, OEF/OIF veterans, and homeless patients.

A patient coming to VA can expect to find the following types of care:

Decisions as to which services are provided and how intense they are will be based on the patient’s needs and desires.

HOW CAN I GET HELP?

A list of VA and Vet Center facilities can be found online at www.va.gov and www.vetcenter.va.gov

Veterans Crisis Line:1-800-273-8255 (Press 1)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs | 810 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington DC 20420

Primary Focus of the Provider

• Substance Abuse Treatment Services

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Type of Care

• Substance abuse treatment
• Detoxification
• Methadone maintenance
• Methadone detoxification
• Buprenorphine maintenance
• Buprenorphine detoxification
• Relapse prevention from naltrxone
• Buprenorphine used in treatment
• Naltrexone (oral)
• Vivitrol (injectable Naltrexone)
• Methadone
• SAMHSA-certified Opioid Treatment Program

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Facility Type

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Treatment Approaches

• Cognitive/behavioral therapy
• Substance abuse counseling approach
• Trauma-related counseling

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Facility Smoking Policy

• Smoking permitted in designated area

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Service Setting (e.g., Outpatient, Residential, etc.)

• Outpatient
• Outpatient detoxification
• Outpatient methadone/buprenorphine or vivitrol
• Intensive outpatient treatment
• Regular outpatient treatment
• General Hospital(including VA hospital)

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Facility Operation (e.g. Private, Public)

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
• The Joint Commission

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Payment/Insurance Accepted

• Cash or self-payment
• Private health insurance
• Federal, or any government funding for substance abuse programs

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Emergency Mental Health Services

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Payment Assistance Available

• Sliding fee scale (fee is based on income and other factors)
• Payment assistance (check with facility for details)

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Language Services

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Special Programs/Groups Offered

• Veterans
• Persons who have experienced trauma

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Ancillary Services

• Non-nicotine smoking/tobacco cessation medications
• Alcohol Detoxification
• Benzodiazepines Detoxification
• Opiods Detoxification
• Individual counseling offered
• Group counseling offered
• Family counseling offered
• Marital/couples counseling offered
• 12-step faciltitation approach
• Brief intervention approach
• Contingency management/motivational incentive
• Motivational interviewing
• Anger management
• Relapse prevention

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Age Groups Accepted

• Children/adolescents
• Young adults
• Adults

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Gender Accepted

• Female
• Male

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Exclusive Services

• Methadone and buprenorphine clients only
• Methadone clients only

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