Drug & Alcohol Addiction Treatment for Veterans
Serving as a member of the Armed Forces is not a simple task, as troops often experience situations where their physical and mental wellbeing are compromised. Situations like these can put Veterans at high risk for addiction and other mental health conditions, but resources and support are available.
Why Are Veterans High Risk for Addiction?
Several factors put Veterans at high risk for developing addictions to drugs and alcohol. Some of the most common of these risks include:
- Trauma exposure. Veterans with a history of exposure to combat are at high risk of developing PTSD and other mental health issues and may turn to substance use to deal with symptoms.1
- Sexual trauma. Veterans who experience sexual assault are at risk for anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Victims of sexual trauma may turn to drugs and alcohol to cope with the emotional impact.2
- Availability of prescription medications. Veterans may suffer from combat-related injuries and pain. In 2009, military doctors wrote around 3.8 million prescriptions for pain relievers.1
- Barriers to treatment. Due to the perceived stigma, Veterans may be reluctant to seek help despite resources and treatment programs.3
Mental health and substance use are often connected. Some people struggle with both a mental health disorder and substance use disorder (SUD) at the same time, sometimes called co-occurring disorders.1 Co-occurring disorders involve having at least one mental health disorder in addition to SUD, at the same time. For example, an individual diagnosed with an opioid use disorder (OUD) may also be diagnosed with depression.1 According to the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 17 million people aged 18 or older reported having a co-occurring disorder.2
To address the complex nature of co-occurring disorders, many treatment programs offer a range of integrated services to manage both SUD and any concurrent mental health issues simultaneously.1 It’s important to treat both disorders at the same time so one doesn’t go left untreated, leaving the individual with a higher relapse potential.1 Through professional treatment for co-occurring disorders, the successful management of both SUD and any co-occurring mental health disorders can help promote your recovery.
Veterans Resources
- Air Force Veterans
- Army Veterans
Veterans and Addiction
- Veterans and Alcohol Addiction
- Veterans and Alcohol Addiction
Addiction Treatment
- Detoxification
- Inpatient Treatment
Veteran Benefits
- VA Community Care Network
- Veterans Affairs (VA) Benefits
The Link Between PTSD and Addiction
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event.1 Symptoms can include reliving the event, avoiding reminders of the trauma, negative thoughts, and increased emotional arousal (which can manifest as insomnia, angry outbursts, trouble concentrating, being easily startled, etc.).4 Mental health conditions, including PTSD and depression, are closely linked to substance misuse among both male and female veterans.5,6,7
AAC works with most insurance providers. Our navigators will assist you in verifying your specific insurance policy during the drug and alcohol addiction treatment admissions process. We can guide you through what your coverage looks like at no cost, and everything is completely confidential. Get started in advance by checking your insurance for treatment coverage using our free online tool
Dual Diagnosis Treatment for Veterans
Genetic and environmental factors can contribute to the development of SUD, a mental health disorder, or the co-occurrence of both. Sometimes, a mental health disorder can lead to SUD development, or vice versa. One explanation involves an individual using alcohol or drugs to cope with the signs and symptoms of depression. This may develop into a co-occurring SUD.12 SUD and co-occurring mental health disorders may also be more prevalent among certain populations. For instance, 60% of adolescents in community-based treatment centers for SUD have also been diagnosed with a co-occurring mental health disorder. Both disorders can influence and impact each other, and there may even be additional conditions that influence one or both disorders, including environmental factors (e.g., homelessness).1
AAC works with most insurance providers. Our navigators will assist you in verifying your specific insurance policy during the drug and alcohol addiction treatment admissions process. We can guide you through what your coverage looks like at no cost, and everything is completely confidential. Get started in advance by checking your insurance for treatment coverage using our free online tool
Addiction Treatment Programs for Veterans
There are several treatment programming options available for Veterans dealing with untreated SUD, mental health conditions, or both. Veterans can work with specialists to determine which level or levels of care will address their needs most effectively.
AAC works with most insurance providers. Our navigators will assist you in verifying your specific insurance policy during the drug and alcohol addiction treatment admissions process. We can guide you through what your coverage looks like at no cost, and everything is completely confidential. Get started in advance by checking your insurance for treatment coverage using our free online tool
AAC works with most insurance providers. Our navigators will assist you in verifying your specific insurance policy during the drug and alcohol addiction treatment admissions process. We can guide you through what your coverage looks like at no cost, and everything is completely confidential. Get started in advance by checking your insurance for treatment coverage using our free online tool
AAC works with most insurance providers. Our navigators will assist you in verifying your specific insurance policy during the drug and alcohol addiction treatment admissions process. We can guide you through what your coverage looks like at no cost, and everything is completely confidential. Get started in advance by checking your insurance for treatment coverage using our free online tool
Paying for Veteran Rehab
There are excellent benefits to using VA programs that help pay for treatment. For example, the VA healthcare program covers many addiction treatment services both at their facilities and at some outside hospitals or clinics.15
Finding Veteran Addiction Treatment Facilities
Other considerations may include whether traveling out of state for treatment is a viable option. For some people, leaving home for treatment may remove them from negative environments and triggers that may be contributing to their problems. Seeking co-occurring disorder treatment programs out-of-state opens more possibilities for finding specialized treatment for co-occurring disorders. To determine the best option for you, you may consider factors such as access to social and emotional support systems, treatment needs and goals, and rehab costs. Our rehab directory lets you easily search for a treatment center near you.
Salute to Recovery is a great option for Veteran addiction treatment because of its specialized nature, with programming tailored to the unique needs of Veterans. This program focuses on the interrelated factors that impact former military service members, such as trauma, stigma in seeking mental health treatment, difficulties with reintegration into civilian life after discharge, and more. This program is offered at the following AAC locations:
Yes, thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), treatment for mental health disorders, including substance use disorder (SUD), is considered an essential benefit that insurance providers must cover.18 This means, your insurance may be able to cover some or all your co-occurring disorder rehab treatment. However, coverage may vary depending on your needs and insurance plan. To find out if your policy covers co-occurring disorders, verify your insurance by filling out the form below or contact an admissions navigator for free at
Check to see if your insurance is in-network Coming
- American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
- Cronkite, R.C., Frayne, S.M., Holmes, T.H., Kimerling, R., Street, A.E., Pavao, J., Smith, M.W. (2010, August). Military-related sexual trauma among Veterans Health Administration patients returning from Afghanistan and Iraq.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2019, October 23). Substance use and military life drugfacts.
- Inoue, C., Jackson, C.A., Jordan, C.H., Moore, M.J., Shawler, E. (2023, August 17). Veteran and military mental health issues.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (n.d.). PTSD and substance abuse in veterans.
- Hein, C.L, Miller, M.W., Prince, L.B., Reardon, A.F., Wolf, E.J. (2013, January 16). Alcohol and drug abuse among US veterans: Comparing associations with intimate partner substance abuse and veteran psychopathology.
- United States Department of Veterans Affairs. (n.d.). PTSD and problems with alcohol use.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018, August 15). Comorbidity: Substance use and other mental disorders.
- Back, S.E., Brown, D.G., Lancaster, C.L., Teeters, J.B. (2017). Substance use disorders in military veterans: prevalence and treatment challenges.
- American Psychological Association. (2017). What is cognitive behavioral therapy?
- Linehan, M., Wilks, C.R. (2018, April 30). The course and evolution of dialectical behavior therapy.
- Reisman, M. (2016, October) PTSD treatment for Veterans: What’s working, what’s new, and what’s next.
- Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Detoxification and Substance Abuse Treatment. Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 45. HHS Publication No. (SMA) 15-4131. Rockville, MD: Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, 2006.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2014, January). Principles of drug addiction: A research based guide (third edition).
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2022, October 12). Substance use treatment for Veterans.
