VA Rehab: Drug & Alcohol Treatment for Veterans

If you’re battling substance use disorder following your service in the armed forces, you aren’t alone. Thankfully, the VA provides many Veteran addiction treatment options for those who are struggling with substance use disorder. Here, we’ll explore several facets of the drug and alcohol rehab process, including medical detox, outpatient and inpatient drug rehab for Veterans, how to pay for rehab, and how to get started with treatment today.

Does the VA Cover Inpatient Drug & Alcohol Rehab?

Yes, the VA covers inpatient drug and alcohol rehab services. If you’re a Veteran who is living with substance use disorder, it’s not uncommon to find yourself searching questions like “Does the VA cover inpatient rehab?” and “Will the VA pay for rehab?” You may  also be feeling concerned about how you’ll pay for any out-of-pocket costs. Thankfully, as previously mentioned, the VA covers a wide variety of addiction treatment options and mental health services for members of the U.S. Armed Forces.

What Types of Drug & Alcohol Rehab Does the VA Cover?

There are several levels of addiction treatment available for those who are experiencing a substance use disorder and/or a mental health condition. Your primary care physician or VA health care provider can work with you to determine what your recovery needs are, along with what levels of care can help address those needs. 

Currently, the VA covers the following types of drug and alcohol rehab:

• Medical detox – Medical detox involves the implementation of a set of specific interventions designed to treat acute intoxication and subsequent withdrawal symptoms in someone who has stopped using their substance of choice.¹ The body will work to clear all of its toxins while a team of medical professionals offers 24/7 monitoring to all patients. In some instances, medications may be used to decrease the intensity of withdrawal symptoms and/or to provide basic care.¹
• Inpatient addiction treatment – VA inpatient rehab, also known as residential treatment, offers patients around-the-clock care and supervision as they begin the recovery process. Patients will reside at the facility for the duration of their care, providing them an opportunity to truly focus on their recovery without outside distractions.²
• Intensive outpatient addiction treatment – Intensive outpatient programs, or IOPs, focus on the provision of drug and alcohol education, while also providing services such as relapse prevention and group counseling. Patients do not live at the facility for this type of care, however may go there for treatment a few days per week for a few hours at a time.²
• Standard outpatient addiction treatment programs – Standard outpatient addiction treatment requires less intense involvement than the other levels of care listed above. At the crux of standard outpatient addiction treatment programs is group therapy, where patients work together to achieve similar goals and build a strong support system.² Patients of a standard outpatient addiction treatment program will continue to live at home during their time in the program and attend sessions less frequently than other levels of care. 

If you are a Veteran with VA health care, pick up the phone and contact 877-222-8387 or click here. By speaking with a representative, you can learn more about what your specific VA plan covers and what it may not be able to cover.

How Do I Get into Rehab Through the VA?

When you’re searching for VA alcohol and drug rehab with VA healthcare coverage, talk with your provider to get the process of recovery started. If you don’t have a primary care provider through the VA, call the general information hotline listed above or reach out to your local VA medical center.

At American Addiction Centers facilities, our team is proud to provide several levels of care for Veterans, including inpatient drug rehab for Veterans. We’re here to support you as you progress through the process of getting sober from start to finish. Reach out to us today by calling , or have your insurance verified by filling out the form below.

How Much Does Rehab Cost With the VA?

The exact cost of addiction treatment depends on several factors, including your particular health insurance plan, the type of VA treatment for alcohol and/or drugs recommended by your care provider, the length of treatment, and more.

We know it can be confusing to try to figure out how much you’ll need to pay for rehab, and our team is here to help. Reach out to us today at 866-723-2194 to talk through the admissions process and discuss potential out-of-pocket costs.

Find VA Addiction Treatment Centers Near You

If you are a Veteran searching for drug and  alcohol rehab, you’re not alone. The VA and other companies offer health insurance coverage for addiction treatment, making it easier for you to get the care that you need to achieve and maintain sobriety.

At American Addiction Centers, we’re thankful for your service, and we’re here to help you live your best life by providing addiction treatment to all branches of the armed forces. Click the links below to learn more about addiction as it relates to these branches:

• Navy Veteran addiction treatment
• Marine Veteran addiction treatment
• Army Veteran addiction treatment
• Air Force Veteran addiction treatment
• Coast Guard Veteran addiction treatment

Whether you need co-occurring disorder care, alcohol rehab, drug rehab, or medical detox, we have you covered. There’s no reason to wait another day to start getting the help you need and deserve. Call us right now at . to learn more.