Drug & Alcohol Rehab for Veterans in California

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. 93% of Veterans with an 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 or using 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.

How Much Does Rehab Cost for Veterans in California?

The cost of substance use disorder treatment for Veterans in California will depend 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 will depend 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 help you navigate the details of your benefits 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 such as:

• Aetna.
• Blue Cross Blue Shield.
• Cigna.
• Humana.
• United Healthcare.

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 will vary. Patients 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

Treatment Options 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 you have been in treatment before, and whether you have a supportive home environment. Levels of addiction treatment for Veterans 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 will help you 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.
• Outpatient treatment. In outpatient treatment programs, patients live at home and come to the treatment facility daily for required counseling and other services. Outpatient programs tend to cost less than residential programs and are best suited to those with a supportive social network and healthy home environment.

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 performed in any of the settings listed above. Many treatment programs will use a combination of medications and therapeutic interventions, which are more effective when combined.⁴

American Addiction Centers’ Laguna Treatment offers evidence-based inpatient rehab treatment in Aliso Vieja, CA 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.

Resources for Veterans in California

In addition to CA rehab for Veterans, the following resources may also prove helpful:

• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) offers meetings in several cities in California.
• People seeking support related to the use of drugs other than alcohol may wish to attend Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings in California.
• CalVet offers benefits and services to Veterans and family members.
• The Department of Health Care Services offers a toll-free substance use disorder treatment referral line for those seeking treatment in California.
• Make the Connection is a resource operated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, offering stories from Veterans about their mental health challenges and the treatment and support that helped them.
• Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America is an organization working to improve the lives of Veterans who served after 9/11.

How to Get Help

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, Calif., offer 24/7 medical oversight in a comfortable residential environment with numerous amenities such as private rooms, a fitness center, and yoga classes.