Alcohol & Drug Addiction Treatment for Veterans
Substance Use
Are you concerned about yourself or about a Veteran in a substance use-related crisis?
Treatment and Next Steps
Evidence-based treatments for substance use disorder
Recovery is possible for everyone. Substance use disorder is a mental health condition, and VA offers evidence-based treatments for the disorder that are proven to be effective for most people. These scientifically tested courses of treatment may include therapies, medication, or both. Treatments are available at your local VA medical center or clinic. In addition, assessment and treatment referral services are available at Vet Centers.
Evidence-based therapies
Therapies are among the most effective evidence-based treatments for substance use disorder. They can include the following—which, in many cases, are available at a local VA medical center:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps Veterans with substance use disorder develop more balanced and helpful thoughts about themselves, others, and the future. It can help Veterans manage the urge to drink or use drugs, refuse opportunities to use substances, use a problem-solving approach to deal with substance use disorder, and achieve personal goals.
- Motivational interviewing (MI) involves conversations between the Veteran and their provider to detect and strengthen personal motivations for change. In this therapy, Veterans look at the reasons they want to make a change and the potential benefits of that change.
- Motivational enhancement therapy (MET) is a version of MI that focuses specifically on changing unhealthy alcohol or substance use.
- Contingency management (CM) is a therapy in which the patient receives incentives for completing recovery behaviors such as abstinence verified by urine drug screens. The incentives increase in size with consistent performance of the recovery behavior.
Explore more potential treatment options at VA by visiting the Learn About Treatment page.
Evidence-based medications
Medications are available to manage withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, prevent a return to use, and reduce the risk of death related to substance use disorder. Medications approved for these purposes vary by the type of substance. Consult with your healthcare provider regarding each medication’s risk factors and potential side effects.
Approved medications are available for:
- Opioid Use Disorder. Options include methadone, buprenorphine and buprenorphine combination products like Suboxone, and injectable, extended-release naltrexone.
- Alcohol Use Disorder. Options include acamprosate, disulfiram, naltrexone and topiramate.
- Tobacco Use Disorder. Options include nicotine replacement therapy, bupropion and varenicline. Learn more about tobacco use disorder.
Also, if you or someone you care about uses opioids or nonprescribed stimulants, you should have naloxone on hand. When used after an overdose from an opioid or drug laced with an opioid, naloxone can temporarily block the effects of the opioids and help prevent death.
Treatment providers and programs
Whether you are worried about your own substance use or that of someone you care about, VA has many options to help you take the next step. Explore the following resources to get started.
Schedule a mental health appointment
- If you are already using VA health care, ask your primary care provider to help you make an appointment for VA mental health services.
- If you are not already using VA health care, contact your nearest VA medical center to talk about your needs. Find your nearest VA medical center or Vet Center.
- New to VA? Apply for health care benefits. Getting started is simple. Create a free account online to simplify your enrollment process. Start your application today.
Find support
The VA Substance Use Disorder Program Locator will help you find local VA treatment programs that address all types of problems related to substance use disorder—from health effects to life-threatening behaviors.
Apply for residential rehab treatment
VA residential rehabilitation treatment, sometimes referred to as inpatient or domiciliary care, provides comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation services to Veterans with substance use disorders and other mental health conditions. Learn more about residential rehab care and steps for admission.
Additional Resources
- MedlinePlus: This site answers health questions by bringing together information from the National Library of Medicine, the National Institutes of Health, and other government agencies and health-related organizations.
- National Recovery Month: While the national observance takes place in September, this site, part of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, provides resources throughout the year to promote the societal benefits of treatment for substance use disorder.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse: This site provides information about drug use, drug-related legislation and more.
- Rethinking Drinking: This campaign, created by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, provides easy-to-read, research-based information on drinking and how it may affect your health, along with support for making a change.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: The publications section of this national authority on substance use disorder offers fact sheets, videos, brochures, and more.
- Treatment for Alcohol Problems: Finding and Getting Help: This resource from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has information on the latest research-based treatments and what to consider when choosing among them.
- Alcoholics Anonymous: This international fellowship supports anyone with an alcohol use problem.
- Cocaine Anonymous Online: Modeled closely after Alcoholics Anonymous, this 12-step program is dedicated to addressing the challenges of cocaine use.
- Crystal Meth Anonymous: This fellowship offers an opportunity for people who have used crystal meth to share their experiences—and their strength and support.
- Marijuana Anonymous: This organization supports those seeking to stop using marijuana.
- Narcotics Anonymous: This international, community-based association of people recovering from drug use sponsors nearly 76,000 weekly meetings in 143 countries.
- SMART Recovery: This international program aims to help people recover from substance use disorder as well as reduce risky behaviors like gambling. SMART Recovery sponsors face-to-face meetings around the world and daily online meetings.
- Al-Anon: This fellowship offers support and resources for friends and family members of people who drink excessively and struggle with substance use. Al-Anon also offers a group specifically for younger people, called Alateen.
- Nar-Anon Family Groups: These groups provide support and resources for people with a loved one who uses drugs.
- National Center for PTSD: The center offers Community Reinforcement and Family Training, an online course for family members of Veterans seeking treatment or in treatment for unhealthy alcohol or drug use.
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