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: How do I access VA services for substance use problems?

assistant: The VA health care program covers services to treat substance use problems .

assistant: Do you need help accessing these services?

user: Yes

assistant: first apply for VA health care .

user: What if I served in Operation Enduring Freedom?

assistant: Operation Iraqi Freedom OIF , or Operation New Dawn OND , call your local VA medical center , and ask to speak to the OEF / OIF / OND coordinator 

user: What if I haven't been seen in a VA hospital?

assistant: Find a Substance Use Disorder SUD program near you ,or
Call our general information hotline at 800 - 827 - 1000 , or
Contact your local VA medical center .

user: What if I served in a combat zone?

assistant: get free private counseling , alcohol and drug assessment , and other support at one of our 300 community Vet Centers .

user: What other treatment and support for health conditions that can be related to substance use are offered?

assistant: Posttraumatic stress disorder PTSD
Depression

user: What if I'm homeless?

assistant: Visit our website to learn about VA programs for Veterans who are homeless .Learn about our homelessness programs
Contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877 - 424 - 3838 for help 24 hours a day , 7 days a week .