Does the VA Help With Drug Addiction?

Veterans often face barriers when returning to civilian life and may turn to substances to cope. This can, over time, lead to an addiction that severely impacts the wellbeing of the veteran and their loved ones. 

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers drug addiction support through a range of services. Learn more about the options available and take the first step toward recovery.

How Does the VA Help Veterans with Substance Abuse Issues?

Yes, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) helps veterans who are struggling with drug addiction or alcohol use disorder. 

The VA offers support for a wide range of issues, including substance use disorder (SUD), alcohol addiction, and co-occurring mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder. 

Depending on your or your loved one’s needs, care might include detox, inpatient rehab, or outpatient treatment programs.

The VA helps you connect with a healthcare provider, or access counseling, medication, or long-term support. Family members and caregivers can also find guidance during the recovery process.

If VA services aren’t available nearby, or if the wait is long, you may be able to seek care elsewhere. Here at Otter House Wellness, we offer treatment for veterans in North Carolina and we accept Tricare.

Drug and Alcohol Treatment Services Offered by the VA

Veterans can access a variety of treatment services through the VA, from alcohol rehab to long-term mental health treatment. Support often begins with a referral and may include care funded by Medicaid, health insurance, or VA coverage.

The following programs aim to meet a person’s physical and psychological needs as they move through the different stages of recovery.

Medication Assisted Detox

Veterans can access medically managed detox programs through the VA to help them stop using substances safely and begin recovery with support.

Detoxification addresses the short-term physical effects of withdrawal. This early stage of treatment is critical for alcohol addiction and opioid withdrawal, where symptoms can be severe or even life-threatening.

Completing detox safely, under medical supervision, lowers the risk of complications and prepares veterans for the next phase of substance use treatment.

Medication-Assisted Treatment

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) combines FDA-approved medications with counseling and behavioral therapies to support long-term recovery from SUD.

Through VA health care, veterans have access to medications like buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone. These drugs reduce cravings, stabilize brain chemistry, and lower the risk of relapse or overdose.

MAT may be started in a residential treatment program and continued in outpatient or aftercare settings. Treatment plans vary, with some medications taken daily and others given as monthly injections.

Although MAT involves the use of medications, it’s not a standalone fix. Veterans also receive therapy and support for their specific mental health disorders and treatment needs.

Intensive Outpatient Treatment

Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) offer structured, flexible care for veterans with substance use disorder or mental health conditions. They’re more intensive than standard outpatient care but less restrictive than inpatient treatment.

IOPs include individual and group therapy, medication management, and evidence-based support — all while allowing you to keep up with daily responsibilities like work or family caregiving.

At Otter House Wellness, we offer an IOP designed to meet the unique needs of each person that walks through our door, including retired service members. 

Counseling & Therapy

The VA provides many different types of counseling and therapy to support recovery. These range from substance use disorder to related mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.

Both through VA programs and here at Otter House Wellness, veterans can find individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy as part of both inpatient and outpatient care. 

Other treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), which help veterans change their behavior in order to manage drug addiction. 

Your chosen program may also include holistic therapy and ongoing relapse prevention, according to your needs and recovery goals.

Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment

Facing both substance use disorder and mental health conditions at the same time is quite common, including among veterans. Through the VA, you can access integrated care for these co-occurring disorders, addressing both issues together. 

Common conditions treated alongside drug addiction include post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. Veterans may also struggle with health problems linked to traumatic events while on active duty or military service.

You can also find support for recovery from specific forms of drug use, including alcohol addiction, opioid dependence, and meth or cocaine addiction.

Otter House Wellness provides treatment for both drug addiction and mental health disorders, supporting long-term recovery for veterans with complex needs.

How Much Does VA Drug Addiction Treatment Cost?

VA health care can help veterans access substance abuse treatment at little to no cost. Services are covered based on eligibility, service history, and medical needs.

To begin, you or your loved one will apply for VA benefits and talk with a VA medical center or health care provider about the available options. 

If care through the VA is delayed or unavailable, Tricare can help cover treatment at an approved non-VA treatment facility, such as Otter House Wellness. This makes it easier to get timely access to drug addiction treatment closer to home.

Find Expert Drug Addiction Treatment for Veterans at Otter House

Veterans deserve timely, effective care for substance use disorder and related mental health conditions. We are dedicated to helping veterans recover and manage their mental health through a variety of veteran-focused treatment options.

If you’re a veteran — or if you’re supporting one — you don’t have to manage drug addiction alone. Whether you’re exploring services through the VA, working with your local VA, or seeking care while on a waitlist, you have options.

Many drug addiction treatment centers accept coverage through Tricare, Medicare, private insurance, and other insurance providers. You may also be eligible for community care that connects you with support beyond VA facilities.

At Otter House Wellness, we provide drug addiction treatment tailored to your needs. If you’re looking for help in North Carolina, reach out today to learn how we can support your recovery.

Sources

• TRICARE. “TRICARE and VA Benefit Comparison.” Retrieved from: https://tricare.mil/LifeEvents/InjuredonAD/TransitionVA/BenefitComparison. Accessed on July 11, 2025.
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. “Substance Use Treatment.” Retrieved from: https://www.va.gov/health-care/health-needs-conditions/substance-use-problems/. Accessed on July 11, 2025.