Drug & Alcohol Rehab Centers for Veterans in California

Veterans who struggle with substance use in California have options when it comes to treatment, which is why it’s important to thoroughly research to find the best fit. To find the most appropriate level of care, Veterans need to consult with their doctors or mental healthcare professionals, who can help determine a treatment plan. Sometimes, the most appropriate treatment isn’t necessarily the closest facility. Consider the quality of the program over the proximity and look for programs that provide evidence-based therapies and interventions, offer aftercare programs, and have reviews and testimonials from previous patients.

Why Do Veterans Develop Substance Use Disorders?

Several factors unique among military personnel can contribute to the development of substance use problems, including:¹

• Deployment.
• Challenges with reintegrating into life after deployment.

Additionally, the presence of other mental illnesses is strongly correlated with addiction. In fact, 93% of Veterans with a SUD also meet the criteria for a co-occurring mental health disorder, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, or adjustment disorder.¹

Recognizing Substance Use Disorders in Veterans

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) defines substance use disorder as a pattern of use resulting in “marked distress and/or impairment.”

Exhibiting 2 or more of the following qualifying symptoms over 12 months would result in a medical professional diagnosing someone with an SUD:²

1. Using a substance for a longer period than intended or in larger amounts than intended.
2. Unsuccessfully attempting or desiring to quit or reduce use of the substance.
3. Spending significant time obtaining, using, or recovering from the substance.
4. Experiencing strong cravings for the substance.
5. Experiencing substance use to the extent that it interferes with responsibilities at home, work, or within the community.
6. Continuing substance use despite a negative effect on personal relationships or social situations.
7. Experiencing a reduction in social or recreational activities due to continued substance use.
8. Putting oneself in potentially harmful situations due to substance use, such as driving or operating heavy machinery while under the influence.
9. Continuing substance use despite knowing it has caused or worsened physical or psychological problems.
10. Experiencing increased tolerance of the substance. In other words, using more of the substance to achieve the desired effects or experiencing blunted effects when using the same amount.
11. Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when use of the substance is reduced or discontinued, or using the substance to avoid withdrawal.

Fortunately, substance use disorder can be managed and treated effectively through several evidence-based methods.⁴

Our Veteran Drug and Alcohol Addiction Hotline

American Addiction Centers (AAC) offers a free, confidential addiction hotline for Veterans. Our admissions navigators are available 24/7 to answer questions or help find a drug and alcohol rehab for Veterans that meets your needs.

Call us now at (888) 902-VETS.

We also work with Veterans Affairs to provide treatment to Veterans wishing to use VA benefits to cover the cost of drug or alcohol rehab in California.

Levels of Care Available for California Veterans

Veterans in California have many options when it comes to substance use disorder treatment. Several variables such as the severity of the substance use, whether they have been in treatment before, and whether they have a supportive home environment determine the treatment plan, which may include one or more levels of care. For California Veterans, these may include:⁴

• Detox. A medical detox program is the first stage of treatment for many people. During a drug and alcohol detox program, healthcare professionals help safely manage withdrawal symptoms in a controlled environment. Medication may be used in some cases to minimize drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
• Inpatient/residential care. Inpatient/residential treatment refers to a treatment program where the patient remains at the facility for the duration of treatment. This allows patients to have access to healthcare providers 24 hours a day.

Laguna Treatment Center in Orange County, California, offers evidence-based inpatient rehab treatment as well as medical detox and aftercare planning. In addition to comfortable amenities, individual counseling, and therapeutic activities, the facility offers a specialized treatment track for Veterans and first responders.

Outpatient Treatment for Veterans in California

For some Veterans, outpatient treatment provides a step down from a more intense program such as a residential program. For others, outpatient care may be a point of entry into the continuum of care.

Outpatient treatment varies in levels of intensity. Outpatient options for Veterans in California include:

• Outpatient treatment. In all outpatient treatment programs, patients live at home and come to the treatment facility for required counseling and other services. In a standard outpatient program, Veterans may visit the treatment center weekly or even biweekly for scheduled counseling and therapy sessions.
• Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs). An IOP is more intense than standard outpatient care, but they tend to be flexible enough for Veterans to be able to continue to fulfill responsibilities at home, work, or school. IOPs generally deliver services in 3, 3-hour sessions each week and may be offered during daytime or evening hours.
• Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs). A PHP is the most intense outpatient program and typically offers services, which look nearly identical to those provided in inpatient treatment, during sessions that take place most days of the week for several hours at a time.

Regardless whether treatment takes place in an inpatient or outpatient setting, medications for substance use disorder, which may be used to ease withdrawal symptoms, mitigate cravings, or block the effects of certain substances, are a crucial part of treatment for many people in addiction programs. Many treatment programs use a combination of medications and therapeutic interventions, which are more effective when combined. Additionally, the most effective treatment programs offer aftercare or ongoing treatment to help Veterans sustain long-term recovery.⁴

How Much Does Rehab Cost for Veterans in California?

The cost of substance use disorder treatment for Veterans in California depends on several factors, including the type of care required and the extent of one’s insurance coverage.

An AAC admissions navigator at can help you evaluate your options and guide you through the process.

Can the VA Cover the Cost of Rehab in California?

Yes, VA Health Care includes benefits for mental health and substance use treatment services like outpatient treatment and inpatient treatment.⁵

The exact amount of coverage for these services depends on several factors, including the type of treatment one needs, whether they have private insurance as well as VA benefits, and more.

AAC admissions navigators can verify your insurance and help determine what you can expect to pay out of pocket.

Do Other Insurance Providers Cover the Cost of Rehab?

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), private insurers are required to cover addiction treatment.⁶ Veterans’ rehab treatment programs in California may be in network with common insurance providers. Laguna Treatment Center accepts insurance from a number of large providers, including (but not limited to):

• Aetna.
• Blue Cross Blue Shield.
• Cigna.
• Humana.
• TRICARE—an insurance provider for military service members—also covers the cost of substance use disorder treatment.⁷

The extent of one’s insurance coverage varies. Veterans may be responsible for certain out-of-pocket costs, such as:

• An annual deductible. This is the amount of money one must pay per year before an insurance company starts covering treatment costs.⁸
• Copayments. Patients may have to share costs with their insurance providers at certain intervals. For example, a patient may owe a fixed dollar amount (known as a copayment) at each visit to an outpatient clinic.⁹
• A co-insurance rate. Co-insurance rates are like copayments in that the patient is sharing the cost of treatment with the insurer; however, instead of paying a fixed dollar amount, the patient must pay a percentage of the total cost of treatment.¹⁰

Patients who have health insurance through more than one provider may be able to use their secondary insurance plan to supplement their coverage and help cover additional costs. For example, if a Veteran has both Cigna and TRICARE, they would submit a claim to Cigna first, and then file a claim with TRICARE for any remaining costs.⁵

Can a Veteran Go to Rehab in California Without Insurance?

Yes, for Veterans who do not have insurance, there are other ways to pay for substance use treatment. Many facilities accept cash or credit card payments, offer payment plans or other financing options, or have sliding fee scales. Other options may include asking a family or friend for a loan or taking one out from a bank.

Additionally, there are state-funded rehabs in California that provide free rehab to Veterans and others. And there are state programs like Medicare and Medicaid that may be able to cover all or at least part of the cost of treatment for Veterans who qualify.

The cost of treatment should never deter a Veteran from getting the help they need.

Why Choose American Addiction Centers?

At AAC, our addiction treatment centers specialize in helping people experiencing addiction to various substances, including alcohol, opioids, meth, cocaine, and more. Our facilities use a combination of behavioral therapies, medication therapy, and medically supervised detox to meet the needs of each patient.

Addiction centers such as Laguna Treatment Center in Aliso Viejo, California, offer 24/7 medical oversight in a comfortable residential environment with numerous amenities such as private rooms, a fitness center, and private rooms. Call to connect with a knowledgeable and compassionate admissions navigator, who can listen to your needs, answer your questions, explain your options, and help you begin your recovery journey.

Frequently Asked Questions About Veteran Rehab in California