Clinically Reviewed by Chris Bickers, MS, LPC, LCDC
Last reviewed: October 2026
Veterans carry experiences most civilians never face including deployments, loss, physical injury, long separations and the pressure to stay strong no matter what. For some, alcohol or drugs become a way to cope. Addiction treatment that works for veterans starts with understanding that background, and it treats the whole person rather than only the substance use.
A veteran-centered approach means care shaped around military experience, co-occurring mental health needs, coordination with the VA and support for the family.
Access treatment through the VA Community Care Network at Valley Hope
Veterans and Addiction: By the Numbers
Other sources add to the picture. According to the VA’s National Center for PTSD, veterans who have had PTSD at some point in their lives are about twice as likely to have alcohol-use problems and three times as likely to have drug-use problems as veterans without PTSD. VA data indicates that about 1 in 10 veterans treated at the VA after returning from Iraq and Afghanistan face problems with alcohol or other drugs.
The research underscores how closely substance use and veteran well-being are linked. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), about 30% of veteran suicides were preceded by drug or alcohol use, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (drugabuse.gov) reports that 20% of high-risk behavior deaths were attributed to drug or alcohol overdose. NCBI research also shows a high correlation between substance use disorder and PTSD among veterans diagnosed with SUD, at 63%. Numbers like these have led the VA to emphasize that effective, evidence-based treatment options are needed for veterans.
WATCH: Recovery after Service: A Veteran’s Story
Veterans Face Unique Addiction Risks
Several pressures tend to overlap among veterans, including the trauma and stress of combat exposure. Loss and moral injury can leave lasting effects, and substances may start to quiet intrusive memories or just get through the days and nights. PTSD, depression and anxiety often travel with addiction, and each can make the other harder to treat. There are also service-related injuries that can lead to chronic pain and prescriptions that become a dependency.
And, some veterans experience difficulty transitioning into civilian life. Leaving a structured, close-knit unit can bring a loss of purpose and connection, and isolate veterans, making them more vulnerable to addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders.
Because these factors are connected, treatment that addresses only the substance use often leaves the underlying drivers untouched. With about 30% of veteran suicides preceded by drug or alcohol use, timely, coordinated co-occurring addiciton care is a safety issue as well as a recovery issue.
Learn more about the challenges veterans face regarding addiction.
Need Help Now? How Valley Hope Works with the VA
Valley Hope’s Veteran and Military Services Program
At Valley Hope, our veteran care program is built to serve the unique and important needs our service men women not only need, but deserve:
Same-day access. Waiting weeks for a bed can be risky. Valley Hope offers same-day access to detox, residential and outpatient services shorten the gap between deciding to get help and getting it.
Intentional veteran care. Medical, clinical, and peer support working together, with treatment for co-occurring mental health conditions.
Medication-assisted treatment. Access to FDA-approved medications for alcohol and opioid use disorders when appropriate.
Coordination with the VA. Case management and communication with VA and community providers so care doesn’t happen in a silo.
Family involvement. Recovery affects the people closest to a veteran, and they need education and support too.
Practical support. Transportation and clear guidance on the referral and intake process remove barriers that stop many people from starting.
Respect for service shared. Valley Hope employs many veterans living in recovery, and all staff treat veterans with dignity.
WATCH: Veterans Helping Veterans – Clinician and Vet John Bright
The common thread is that treatment is organized around the veteran’s situation, not the other way around. It is specially designed to provide competent, compassionate and responsive addiction treatment to veterans and their families. Importantly, Valley Hope provides eligible veterans with specialized substance use disorder treatment through the VA Community Care Network.
How to Get Started Through the VA
The path to addiction care is straightforward, and Valley Hope can help along the way. Simply follow these steps and begin the journey to healing in recovery from substance abuse:
- Contact your local VA facility. Eligible veterans start by calling the VA to schedule a consultation. If you need help finding the right facility, Valley Hope can assist.
- Complete an intake. After a VA Community Care referral, veteran and servicemember patients meet with various medical and clinical staff, including a licensed clinician, and members of our medical team. Their assessments inform a treatment plan tailored to you.
- Begin coordinated care. Valley Hope coordinates your care with the VA and provides direct support after treatment.
There are no out-of-pocket costs for veterans who are referred by the VA.
Learn more about how to access Veteran Care.
On Duty to Help You Heal 24/7. Take the First Step.
Veterans have given a great deal. Getting support for addiction is a sign of strength, and it can start with a single conversation Our dedicated team understands the unique challenges Veterans face in recovery. We’re here to provide personalized, evidence-based care that honors your service and supports your healing.
With strong partnerships through the VA and a compassionate, experienced clinical staff, Valley Hope offers a treatment environment built around trust, respect, and long-term recovery.
Find a Valley Hope Residential Treatment Center near you or call (800) 544-5101 to speak with an admissions specialist today. We’ll walk you through your options and help you begin your journey to lasting recovery.
If you are in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 and press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
Reviewed by Chris Bickers, MS, LPC, LCDC
Chris Bickers serves as Executive Director of Valley Hope of Grapevine, overseeing residential and outpatient addiction treatment services. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor in Texas, with experience treating substance use disorders, trauma, and co-occurring mental health conditions. His work at Valley Hope has included counseling, case management, and clinical leadership. A U.S. Army veteran, Chris brings 15 years of military service to his commitment to compassionate, person-centered care. He earned his Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of North Texas and is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.
Take the Next Step With Valley Hope
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, compassionate support is available. Since 1967, Valley Hope has helped individuals and families find a path toward recovery through personalized care and ongoing support.
Explore Valley Hope to learn more about our addiction treatment programs, therapies, locations and resources, or call (800) 544-5101 to speak with our team.
