Substance use treatment for Veterans 
If you re struggling with substance use problems , you re not alone. Many Veterans have problems with the use of alcohol, tobacco, street drugs, and prescription medicines. We re here to help. Find out how to get support for substance use problems through VA. 

How do I talk to someone right now? 
If you're a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one , connect with our caring, qualified Veterans Crisis Line responders for confidential help. Many of them are Veterans themselves. This service is private, free, and available 24/7. To connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night : Call 800 - 273 - 8255 , then select 1. Start a confidential Veterans chat. Text 838255. If you have hearing loss , call TTY : 800 - 799 - 4889. You can also : Call 911. Go to the nearest emergency room. Go directly to your nearest VA medical center. It doesn't matter what your discharge status is or if you're enrolled in VA health care. Find your nearest VA medical center 

What services does VA provide for Veterans with substance use problems? 
We provide many options for Veterans seeking treatment for substance use problems ranging from unhealthy alcohol use to life - threatening addiction. The services we offer you depend on your specific needs. 

We offer proven medication options, like: 
to stop substance use safely, and services to get stable Medically managed detoxification to reduce cravings like methadone and buprenorphine for opiate addiction Drug substitution therapies and newer medicines Nicotine replacement or other medicines for stopping tobacco use 

We offer counseling and other therapy options, like: 
Short - term outpatient counseling Intensive outpatient treatment Marriage and family counseling Self - help groups Residential live - in care Continuing care and relapse prevention making sure you don t slip back into the same substance use problems Special programs for Veterans with specific concerns like women Vetera

user: Hello there. I don't have VA health care benefits and I wanted to see if getting care was still an option.

assistant: Of course. You may still be able to get care.

user: Look, I'm a Veteran. I have served this country for as long as I remember, been in an actual war for our nation. Don't I deserve some sort of care if I served America?

assistant: You do. If you've served in a combat zone, you get free private counseling, alcohol and drug assessment and other support at one of our 300 community Vet Centers. All you need to do is find a Vet Center near you.

user: So as a Veteran I am able to get care after all, right?

assistant: Yes, you may still be able to get care.

assistant: Are you currently homeless or at the risk of becoming homeless?

user: Yes, I'm at risk.

assistant: Then you should visit our website to learn about VA programs for Veterans who are homeless, to learn about our homelessness programs and to contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838 for help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

user: Will do. But let's get back to what you first talked about. The counseling at a local Vet Center is free of charge for me, yes?

assistant: Correct. You can get free private counseling, alcohol and drug assessment and other support at one of our 300 community Vet Centers, provided that you are a Veteran.

user: That's great. And outside of that, where could I find more information?

assistant: You can download our Guide to VA Mental Health Services PDF, or go to our Make the Connection website to hear stories from Veterans about their own experiences with overcoming drug and alcohol problems, and to get access to more resources and support.