Rehab for Veterans in Texas: VA Care, TRICARE and More

Rehab for Veterans in Texas: VA, TRICARE and Community Optionstexasrehabs.net

Veterans in Texas can get addiction treatment through VA health care, which covers detox, medication, outpatient and residential care, and in some cases through VA community care with outside providers. Military families on TRICARE have coverage for substance use treatment, with pre-authorization for residential care. Many veterans and their families also have employer insurance, and Texas offers peer support programs for veterans through local mental health authorities.

Military service can leave lasting effects, and alcohol or drug problems are common among veterans dealing with stress, injuries or trauma. There are more paths to treatment than many families realize.

If you are in crisis

The Veterans Crisis Line is free, confidential and open around the clock. Call 988 and press 1, or start a confidential chat online. The VA says it does not matter what your discharge status is or whether you are enrolled in VA health care. You can also call 911, go to the nearest emergency room, or go directly to a VA medical center. See our crisis help page for more.

VA care for substance use

The VA health care program covers substance use treatment. Services depend on each veteran's needs and include:

Medically managed detox to stop substance use safely.
Medications such as methadone and buprenorphine for opioid addiction, and medications to reduce cravings.
Short-term outpatient counseling and intensive outpatient treatment.
Residential (live-in) care.
Marriage and family counseling and self-help groups.
Continuing care and relapse prevention.
Special programs for women veterans, returning combat veterans and homeless veterans.

How to start: apply for VA health care first. If you have a VA primary care provider, talk to them about substance use; they can screen for related problems such as PTSD or depression. If you have never been seen at a VA facility, contact your local VA medical center or use the VA's online tool to find a substance use program.

Without VA health care benefits: veterans who served in a combat zone can get free private counseling, alcohol and drug assessment and other support at VA Vet Centers. Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness can reach VA homeless programs, and VA Community Resource and Referral Centers can help find non-VA resources.

VA community care

Sometimes the VA pays for care from a provider in its community care network. You must be enrolled in or eligible for VA health care and, except in cases such as urgent or emergency care, get approval from your VA care team first. At least one more condition must apply, such as:

The VA does not offer the service you need.
You and your VA provider agree community care is in your best medical interest.
The VA cannot provide the care within its quality standards.
The VA cannot meet its access standards. For mental health care, that means an average drive of more than 30 minutes or a wait of more than 20 days.

If a community care request is denied, the VA's Clinical Appeals process lets you ask for a review.

Not sure what to do next?

Talk with a treatment specialist about options, openings and insurance. Free and confidential, 24/7.

Call (832) 583-1066

TRICARE for service members and military families

TRICARE says it may cover inpatient services, intensive outpatient programs, partial hospitalization, management of withdrawal (detox), medication-assisted treatment, opioid treatment programs and office-based opioid treatment. It covers services that are medically necessary and considered proven, and it does not cover aversion therapy or unproven treatments.

TRICARE also covers residential substance use disorder treatment, and you need pre-authorization. Approval may be possible when a person has a primary substance use disorder diagnosis and symptoms that need inpatient-level care, full-time monitoring, or that cause difficulty functioning in several major areas of life. Contact your TRICARE regional contractor before admission.

Note that the Texas Department of Insurance does not regulate military plans, so TRICARE questions and appeals go through TRICARE, not the state.

Texas programs for veterans and families

HHSC and the Texas Veterans Commission run the Mental Health Program for Veterans, which serves service members, veterans and their families. Its core service is peer-to-peer support, delivered through peer service coordinators hired by local mental health authorities, with a focus on people who have experienced military trauma and may not seek help through traditional channels. Your local mental health authority and regional OSAR provider can also connect you with substance use services; our aftercare guide explains how those agencies work.

PTSD, depression and addiction together

Trauma and substance use often show up together. NIDA says people with addiction and another mental disorder generally do best when both are treated at the same time. Texas rules for licensed programs require connected screening, assessment and treatment for co-occurring conditions, and say providers may not exclude someone because of a mental illness history or current medications. Look for a dual diagnosis program with experience treating trauma.

Questions to ask a treatment program

Do you have staff with experience treating veterans and military families?
Do you offer trauma-focused therapy, and who provides it?
Are you in network with TRICARE, or are you a VA community care provider?
Can you coordinate with my VA or military care team, with my written consent?
Do you allow medications for opioid or alcohol use disorder and for PTSD or depression?
Do you offer family sessions for spouses and children?
Can you connect me with veteran peer support after discharge?

Using commercial insurance

Many veterans work civilian jobs, and their spouses and children are often on employer plans. Texas and federal parity laws apply to those plans. Read our guide to paying for rehab in Texas and carrier pages such as BCBSTX and Aetna, and call the member services number on the card.

Finding care close to home

Many Texas military families live near large installations. Browse programs near Killeen, San Antonio or El Paso, or see all Texas locations. If a loved one is resisting help, read how to help a loved one into treatment.

Talk to someone today

Free, confidential help finding residential treatment or detox in Texas.

Call (832) 583-1066

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Rehab for Veterans in Texas: VA, TRICARE and Community Options