HEALTHCAREVA program
Substance Use Disorder Treatment
Medically supervised detox, medication-assisted treatment (methadone, buprenorphine), outpatient and inpatient counseling, relapse prevention, and specialized programs for women veterans and returning combat veterans.
Available to enrolled veterans
Step-by-step guide
Ways into VA substance use care
- Enrollment in VA health careVA.gov says to apply for VA health care to get these services.
Source: VA.gov: substance use treatment (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.38(a)(1)(i) (opens in new tab); VA Form 10-10EZ (opens in new tab)
Where do you want to start?
- Substance use care through VA health care
VA treats problems with alcohol, tobacco, street drugs, and prescription medicines. Outpatient and inpatient care for substance use is part of the medical benefits package. VA has special programs for veterans with specific concerns, like women veterans, returning combat veterans, and homeless veterans.
Source: VA.gov: substance use treatment (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.38(a)(1)(i) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.38(a)(1)(ii) (opens in new tab)
- Vet Center assessment and counseling
If you served in a combat zone, VA.gov says you can get free private counseling and an alcohol and drug assessment at a Vet Center.
- Service in a combat theater or area of hostilitiesThe rule covers veterans and service members who served in a combat theater or area of hostilities, or supported it in listed ways, or got Vet Center counseling before January 2, 2013, and their family members. Vet Center counseling includes substance abuse assessments.
Source: 38 CFR 17.2000(a) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.2000(d) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: substance use treatment (opens in new tab)
What to gather, and what it shows VA
| Document | What it shows | How VA gets it | Have it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application for health benefits VA Form 10-10EZ, the VA health care enrollment application. | Your request to enroll in VA health care | Apply online on VA.gov, by phone, by mail, or in person at a VA medical center. | |
| DD214 Your discharge papers, with dates and places of service. | Your service, and combat theater service when noted | Keep your copy at hand when you apply or visit. | Yes |
| Combat medals or combat pay records An expeditionary or campaign medal, or proof of hostile fire or imminent danger pay or the combat tax exemption after November 11, 1998. | Service in a combat theater | With your consent, VA will help get proof of combat theater service for a Vet Center. |
You do not need any record to ask for help. BeneVets does not ask for records.
Steps, in order
- In crisis, reach out now
Call 988 and select 1, or text 838255. Or go directly to your nearest VA medical center, whatever your discharge status and whether or not you are enrolled.
Source: VA.gov: substance use treatment (opens in new tab); VA.gov: suicide prevention (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.37(l) (opens in new tab)
- Apply for VA health care
If you are not enrolled, apply for VA health care with VA Form 10-10EZ.
Source: VA Form 10-10EZ (opens in new tab); VA.gov: substance use treatment (opens in new tab)
- Ask your provider or call VA
Once enrolled, talk with your VA provider about substance use care, find a Substance Use Disorder (SUD) program near you, or call VA at 800-827-1000. If you served in OEF, OIF, or OND, call your local VA medical center and ask for the OEF/OIF/OND coordinator.
- Find a Vet Center
If you served in a combat zone, look up the nearest Vet Center with the VA.gov facility locator.
Source: VA.gov: find VA locations (opens in new tab); VA.gov: substance use treatment (opens in new tab)
- If you are homeless or at risk
Call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838.
- Free help applying for VA health care
Free help: an accredited VSO can file this with you. Find one near you in the BeneVets VSO directory at Find an accredited VSO near you. A VSO can help with the VA Form 10-10EZ health care application.
Source: VA.gov: accredited representatives (opens in new tab); VA Form 10-10EZ (opens in new tab)
Good to know
Call 988 and select 1, or text 838255. It is free, confidential, and open 24/7. Or go directly to your nearest VA medical center, whatever your discharge status and whether or not you are enrolled.
Source: VA.gov: substance use treatment (opens in new tab); VA.gov: suicide prevention (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.37(l) (opens in new tab)
VA offers medically managed detox to stop use safely, and medicines that reduce cravings, like methadone and buprenorphine for opiate addiction.
Care ranges from short-term outpatient counseling and intensive outpatient treatment to residential (live-in) care.
Source: VA.gov: substance use treatment (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.38(a)(1)(i) (opens in new tab)
VA.gov points veterans who are homeless or at risk of it to the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838.
BeneVets is informational and is not an accredited representative. Free help: an accredited VSO can work through VA benefits with you at no cost. Find an accredited VSO near you
Sources checked October 8, 2026: 38 CFR 17.37(l) (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 17.38(a)(1)(i) (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 17.38(a)(1)(ii) (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 17.2000(a) (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 17.2000(b) (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 17.2000(d) (opens in new tab), VA.gov: substance use treatment (opens in new tab), VA.gov: suicide prevention (opens in new tab), VA.gov: find VA locations (opens in new tab), VA.gov: how to apply for VA health care (opens in new tab), VA Form 10-10EZ (opens in new tab), VA.gov: accredited representatives (opens in new tab)